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Role of pericytes in vascular calcification: a review
A E Canfield1, M J Doherty, A C Wood
1Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Schools of Medicine, Manchester, UK. ann.canfield@man.ac.uk
Insights
Pericytes, crucial for microvessel health, can differentiate into various cell types. Research indicates pericyte-like cells in arteries may contribute to vascular calcification.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Cell Differentiation
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Pericytes are integral to microvasculature, maintaining tissue homeostasis.
- Pericytes exhibit progenitor cell capabilities, differentiating into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes.
- Pericyte-like cells are found throughout human arteries and may play a role in atherosclerosis-related calcification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence of microvascular pericytes depositing mineralized matrix in vitro.
- To compare pericytes, calcifying vascular cells (CVCs), and smooth muscle cells (SMCs).
- To demonstrate in vivo matrix deposition by pericytes and discuss differentiation regulation.
Main Methods:
- In vitro studies on microvascular pericyte matrix deposition.
- Comparative analysis of pericytes, CVCs, and SMCs (morphological and biochemical).
- In vivo studies of pericyte-derived matrix formation.
- Review of regulatory mechanisms for pericyte differentiation.
Main Results:
- Microvascular pericytes deposit a bone-like mineralized matrix in vitro.
- Pericytes exhibit distinct properties compared to CVCs and SMCs.
- Pericytes deposit organized bone, cartilage, and fibrous tissue matrices in vivo.
Conclusions:
- Pericytes contribute to vascular matrix deposition, including bone and cartilage.
- Pericyte-like cells in arteries are implicated in vascular calcification.
- Further research is needed to understand the regulation of pericyte differentiation in vascular contexts.
Abstract:
Pericytes are defined by their location in vivo; the pericyte partially surrounds the endothelial cell of the microvessel and shares a common basement membrane with it. As an integral part of the microvasculature, pericytes play a fundamental role in maintaining local and tissue homeostasis. Current evidence also suggests that pericytes function as progenitor cells capable of differentiating into a variety of different cell types including osteoblasts, chondrocytes and adipocytes. It is now apparent that cells resembling microvascular pericytes, and termed 'pericyte-like' cells, have a widespread distribution in vivo. Pericyte-like cells have been identified in the inner intima, the outer media, and in the vasa vasora of the adventitia of large, medium and small human arteries (1, 2). Moreover, recent studies have suggested that these cells may be responsible, at least in part, for mediating the calcification commonly associated with atherosclerosis (1, 3, 4). In this review, we a) examine the evidence that microvascular pericytes deposit a bone-like mineralised matrix in vitro, b) compare the morphological and biochemical properties of microvascular pericytes, calcifying vascular cells (CVCs) and 'classical' smooth muscle cells (SMCs) isolated from bovine aorta, c) demonstrate that microvascular pericytes deposit a well-organised matrix of bone, cartilage and fibrous tissue in vivo, and d) discuss recent studies designed to gain a better understanding of how pericyte differentiation is regulated.