Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) are primary contributors to the development of arterial disease. The ability of vascular SMC to switch to a proliferative phenotype is one of the main factors in the development and progression of vascular disease. Vascular smooth muscle cells express ICAM1 and VCAM-1, which may contribute to the inflammatory reaction in the vascular wall and may actively be involved in the progression of vascular disease. Vascular SMC in culture play an important role in vascular disease research and can be used to identify new therapeutic targets to treat arterial disease. HUASMC from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from human umbilical arteries. HUASMC are cryopreserved at passage one and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 105 cells in 1 ml volume. HUASMC are characterized by immunofluorescence with antibodies specific to α-smooth muscle actin. HUASMC are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast and fungi. HUASMC are guaranteed to further expand for 15 population doublings under the conditions provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories. Recommended Medium It is recommended to use Smooth Muscle Cell Medium (SMCM, Cat. #1101) for the culturing of HUASMC in vitro.