In-vitro demonstration of a complicated atherosclerosis-like lesion.

Smooth muscle cells derived from the media of adult rat aorta were grown on elastin membranes for up to 3 weeks in cell culture. Cell degeneration was evident by the 4th day and increased with time. At the end of the experiment necrotic and calcified areas were prominent. The basic feature of cell degeneration was dissolution of myofilaments; the disintegrating cytoplasm usually contained numerous glycogen granules. Increased electron density of the mitochondrial matrix and fat globules were seen and nuclei showed dilution of chromatin or pyknosis. Abundant cellular debris, vesicular structures and microfibrils were found in the extracellular space.