Abstract: Means which enables preparation of a thick cell aggregate by a simple process without an operation of detaching and stacking of cells is disclosed. The method for preparing a three-dimensional cell aggregate by the present invention comprises: a cell encasing step of placing a cell suspension in a cell container; and a pressure application step of applying pressure to cells in the container. The cell encasing step and the pressure application step may be carried out a plurality of times. By the present invention, a thick, robust cell aggregate can be obtained by a simple operation of applying pressure to a cell suspension or a medium containing cells. Since the method does not require an operation of stacking a plurality of cell sheets, the cells are hardly damaged, and the conditions of the cells can be favorably maintained, so that the cells can be advantageously used as a tissue piece for transplantation.

Abstract: Novel means capable of detecting an arteriosclerotic lesion in a body by a less invasive, simple method is disclosed. The method for detecting arteriosclerosis according to the present invention comprises measuring the myosin heavy chain 11 level in a blood sample isolated from a subject. A myosin heavy chain 11 level higher than that of a healthy individual is indicative of the presence of arteriosclerosis in the subject. Since the present invention enables detection of arteriosclerosis by a blood test, a less invasive, simple test can be carried out. Unlike methods for testing only particular regions such as carotid artery ultrasonography, the present invention is expected to reflect the conditions of blood vessels in the whole body.

Abstract: Means which enables preparation of a thick cell aggregate by a simple process without an operation of detaching and stacking of cells is disclosed. The method for preparing a three-dimensional cell aggregate by the present invention comprises: a cell encasing step of placing a cell suspension in a cell container; and a pressure application step of applying pressure to cells in the container. The cell encasing step and the pressure application step may be carried out a plurality of times. By the present invention, a thick, robust cell aggregate can be obtained by a simple operation of applying pressure to a cell suspension or a medium containing cells. Since the method does not require an operation of stacking a plurality of cell sheets, the cells are hardly damaged, and the conditions of the cells can be favorably maintained, so that the cells can be advantageously used as a tissue piece for transplantation.

Abstract: Provided are an elastic three-dimensional tissue and a method by which the tissue can be produced. The elastic three-dimensional tissue includes smooth muscle cells and an extracellular matrix component, with the smooth muscle cells being layered with the extracellular matrix component interposed therebetween. Furthermore, the production method for a three-dimensional tissue includes layering smooth muscle cells with an extracellular matrix component interposed therebetween, wherein the smooth muscle cells are those directed towards a differentiated type from an undifferentiated type.