The critical component to establish in vitro BBB model: Pericyte

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a critical structure that regulates the exchange of substances between the bloodstream and the central nervous system. While endothelial cells are the primary component of the BBB, their function is influenced by interactions with other cell types. Astrocytes are commonly included in in vitro models, but pericytes remain underrepresented despite their physical and functional association with endothelial cells. Research has established that BBB integrity depends on multiple cell types working in concert. However, the specific role of pericytes in BBB development has not been fully integrated into current models. This gap motivated a closer examination of pericyte contributions to BBB formation. Prior studies have shown that astrocytes and endothelial cells alone cannot fully recapitulate BBB behavior. The absence of pericytes in many models may limit their accuracy. This paper addresses the need to understand pericyte involvement in BBB regulation.

This review aims to clarify the role of pericytes in BBB formation and regulation. The authors focus on how pericytes contribute to the structural and functional properties of the BBB. The study addresses a gap in current in vitro models that often neglect pericytes despite their intimate association with endothelial cells. The authors propose that pericytes are essential for maintaining BBB integrity. They seek to highlight the mechanisms by which pericytes influence BBB development. The review also explores the role of actin in both pericytes and endothelial cells. The authors aim to emphasize the importance of including pericytes in BBB models. Their goal is to provide a rationale for incorporating pericytes to improve the accuracy of in vitro BBB systems.

The authors conducted a literature review to analyze pericyte functions in angiogenesis and BBB regulation. They examined studies on pericyte-endothelial cell interactions in various systems. The review included an assessment of how pericytes influence BBB development. The authors evaluated the role of actin in both pericytes and endothelial cells. They analyzed molecular mechanisms of BBB permeability regulation. The study focused on transduction pathways that mediate actin remodeling. The authors synthesized findings from multiple disciplines to build a case for pericyte inclusion. They compared current in vitro models with and without pericytes to highlight limitations.

The review found that pericytes are closely associated with brain capillary endothelium. Pericytes contribute to BBB formation and regulation through physical and signaling interactions. The authors report that pericytes influence tight junction formation in endothelial cells. Pericytes may regulate BBB permeability through actin remodeling processes. The study highlights that pericytes are often omitted in in vitro models despite their relevance. The authors suggest that pericyte inclusion improves model accuracy. They found evidence that pericytes modulate endothelial cell behavior. The review proposes that pericytes are a critical component for BBB modeling.

The authors conclude that pericytes play a key role in BBB development and maintenance. They suggest that pericyte inclusion is necessary for accurate in vitro BBB models. The review emphasizes that pericytes influence endothelial cell behavior through signaling pathways. The authors propose that actin remodeling is a mechanism by which pericytes regulate BBB permeability. They argue that current models may be incomplete without pericytes. The study suggests that pericyte-endothelial interactions are essential for BBB function. The authors state that pericytes should be incorporated into future BBB research. Their findings support the need for updated in vitro models that include pericytes.