VSMCs extraction

[Voula Savvari]

Dear Dr Richard Hastings,
  I am a PhD student from Greece trying desperately  to extract VSMC from
carotid artery.Unfortunately,I do not have an answer to your problem, but I
was wondering if you can help me with mine.You seem to have managed to
extract the cells from the vessel, while I am trying with no result.I use a
protocol based on collagenase digestion of carotids pieces in serum free
DMEM  for 2 hours and then cultivation in DMEM+FCS 10%.I use gelatin-coated
plates and change the medium every 72 hours.What am I  doing wrong?II
have tried other relevant protocols but it still doesnt work for
me.Couldyou please help me by mailing your protocol?If this is not
possible any
answer would be a great help for me!

Thank you in advance.

Voula Savvari