smooth muscle tissue development

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The process whose specific outcome is the progression of smooth muscle over time, from its formation to the mature structure. [GOC:dph, GOC:jid, GOC:lm]

Smooth muscle tissue development is a complex and tightly regulated process that involves a series of coordinated events, from the commitment of progenitor cells to the formation of functional muscle fibers. This process is essential for the proper development of a wide range of organs and tissues, including the cardiovascular system, digestive system, respiratory system, and reproductive system.

**1. Commitment of Progenitor Cells:**
The process begins with the commitment of multipotent mesenchymal progenitor cells to a smooth muscle lineage. This commitment is regulated by a complex network of signaling pathways, including the Wnt, TGF-β, and BMP pathways. These pathways activate specific transcription factors, such as SRF (serum response factor) and myocardin, which drive the expression of smooth muscle-specific genes.

**2. Proliferation and Differentiation:**
Once committed, smooth muscle progenitor cells undergo a period of rapid proliferation to expand the pool of smooth muscle cells. Concurrently, they begin to differentiate, acquiring the characteristic features of smooth muscle cells, including contractile proteins, such as actin and myosin, and specific smooth muscle-associated proteins, such as calponin and SM22α.

**3. Assembly of Contractile Machinery:**
The newly synthesized contractile proteins assemble into organized sarcomeres, the basic contractile units of smooth muscle. These sarcomeres are attached to dense bodies, which are specialized structures that anchor the contractile proteins to the cell membrane and the cytoskeleton.

**4. Formation of Smooth Muscle Fibers:**
Individual smooth muscle cells then align and connect with each other, forming long, interconnected fibers. This process is facilitated by cell-cell adhesion molecules, such as cadherins and integrins. The fibers are organized into layers, with different layers often having distinct functions, such as contraction and relaxation.

**5. Vascularization and Innervation:**
As the smooth muscle tissue develops, it becomes vascularized, receiving a blood supply that provides oxygen and nutrients. It also becomes innervated, receiving signals from the nervous system that regulate its contractile activity.

**6. Maturation and Functional Integration:**
The smooth muscle tissue continues to mature and refine its function throughout development and even into adulthood. This includes the fine-tuning of contractile properties, the establishment of specific connections with other tissues, and the integration into functional organ systems.

The development of smooth muscle tissue is a complex process that involves a precise interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Dysregulation of this process can lead to a variety of developmental abnormalities and diseases, highlighting the importance of understanding this intricate process.'
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Proteins (3)

Compounds (20)