Reprogrammed smooth muscle cells and related methods

Abstract

Provided herein are novel reprogrammed smooth muscle cells (rSMCs) and methods for producing and using the cells for the treatment of ischemia. The rSMCs are produced by culturing fibroblasts with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) under conditions that produce rSMCs from the fibroblasts, and the fibroblasts have been genetically modified to overexpress myocardin. The rSMCs offer advantages over currently available regenerative vascular therapies by promoting vascular perfusion in recipient subjects. In particular, rSMCs can increase angiogenesis in both small and large blood vessels.

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