ASMCs isolated from of Des−/− mice display hypertrophy. ASMCs from Des+/+ and Des−/− mice were isolated and cultured to determine cell size (A), protein synthesis (B), protein/DNA ratio (C), smooth muscle-specific contractile proteins (D), proliferation (E), and DNA synthesis (F). Gel pictures are representative of three separate experiments. Each bar indicates mean ± S.E. (error bars) (n = 3). *, p < 0.05. Edu inclusion, DNA synthesis.