Role of pericytes in vascular morphogenesis

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In Vivo Study of Human Endothelial-Pericyte Interaction Using the Matrix Gel Plug Assay in Mouse
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In Vivo Study of Human Endothelial-Pericyte Interaction Using the Matrix Gel Plug Assay in Mouse

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Christer Betsholtz1, Per Lindblom, Holger Gerhardt

  • 1Laboratory of Vascular Biology, Division of Matrix Biology, House A3, Plan 4, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Scheels vag 2, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden. christer.betsholtz@mbb.ki.se

EXS
|December 25, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Pericytes are crucial mural cells in microvessels. Genetic studies reveal their active role in developmental angiogenesis and link pericyte defects to diseases like diabetic retinopathy.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Pericytes are mural cells investing microvessels, with unclear functions historically.
  • Recent advances utilize genetic models to study pericyte roles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review genetic data on pericyte involvement in developmental angiogenesis.
  • To explore the physiological consequences of pericyte deficiency.

Main Methods:

  • Experimental genetics in mice targeting the PDGF-B/PDGFRbeta signaling pathway.
  • Analysis of mutants with primary pericyte defects.

Main Results:

  • Identified critical mechanisms in pericyte recruitment and differentiation.
  • Demonstrated pericyte deficiency impacts developmental angiogenesis.
  • Observed phenotypic similarities to human diseases, including diabetic retinopathy.

Conclusions:

  • Pericytes play an active and essential role in developmental angiogenesis.
  • Genetic insights have elucidated pericyte function and disease relevance.

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