In Vitro Assays to Determine Smooth Muscle Cell Hypertrophy, Protein Content, and Fibrosis

: This chapter provides information on how to culture primary rat vascular smooth muscle cells and how to induce cellular changes similar to those associated with angiotensin II activation in vivo. We describe how to assess the cellular changes by determining cell size with an automated coulter cell counter to measure cell volume. In addition, we describe a method to assess total protein content. Finally, we describe a standard technique to quantify angiotensin II-induced pro-fibrotic response using the Chondrex Sirius Red Total Collagen Detection Kit.