Insulin Concentration Impacts the Density of ɑ-Smooth Muscle Actin in Cultured A7r5 Cells

Abstract

Abnormal insulin concentrations in diabetes mellitus have been shown to affect vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotype. To investigate if these effects are related to changes in ɑ-smooth muscle actin (ɑ-SMA) in VSMC, we examined the density of ɑ-SMA in A7r5 cells that were incubated in different concentrations of insulin-containing growth media. Glucose concentrations in the media were collected intermittently to monitor insulin function. After incubation, the cells were fixed and immunostained, followed by image capture using fluorescence microscopy.  The density of ɑ-SMA was quantified by pixel intensity. Visual comparison and statistical analysis revealed that ɑ-SMA density was significantly higher in the medium insulin condition.