Dermal Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells (DVSMC)

Dermal vascular smooth muscle cells (DVSMCs) are the primary contractile cells in the medial layer of dermal blood vessels, essential for skin microvascular homeostasis, vascular tone regulation, wound healing, and vascular remodeling. Adapted to the dermal microenvironment, they exhibit distinct phenotypic plasticity. While normally quiescent in a contractile state, they can dedifferentiate into a synthetic phenotype upon injury or inflammation—a critical process for vascular repair that may contribute to skin fibrosis when dysregulated. DVSMCs express typical markers such as alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SM-MHC). 

They can be derived from dermal skin-derived precursors (SKPs) and induced into functional contractile cells, offering a promising autologous source for skin neovascularization. Their interaction with dermal endothelial cells further enhances wound neovascularization, underscoring their role in tissue repair. Owing to their unique properties, DVSMCs are a key focus in dermatology, vascular biology, and regenerative medicine, providing insights into skin vascular mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets for vascular disorders.