Phenotypic shift of VSMCs in response to hypoxia condition of panvascular system (IMAGE)
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In the panvascular system, hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) can lead to excessive activity of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), presenting a phenotype of proliferation and migration in atherosclerosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension. In atherosclerosis, VSMCs influenced by HIFs may also exhibit a myofibroblast-like transformation, whereas in pulmonary arterial hypertension, noteworthy electrophysiological changes occur in HIF-affected VSMCs. In the aortic aneurysm, HIFs are associated with apoptosis and vascular remodeling in VSMCs. Regarding vascular calcification, HIFs are related to osteochondral differentiation in VSMCs.
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