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Updated: May 12, 2026
10:07
Isolation of Type I and Type II Pericytes from Mouse Skeletal Muscles
Published on: May 26, 2017
Bidirectional myoblast-pericyte plasticity
1Tumor Microenvironment Program, Cancer Center, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. stallcup@sanfordburnham.org
Developmental Cell
|March 30, 2013
Summary
Microvascular pericytes can generate skeletal muscle myoblasts. In turn, myoblasts can create pericytes, demonstrating a reciprocal cell generation pathway.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Developmental biology
- Regenerative medicine
Background:
- Microvascular pericytes are multipotent stem cells capable of differentiating into various mesenchymal cell types.
- Skeletal muscle myoblasts, a specific mesenchymal cell type, are crucial for muscle repair and regeneration.
Discussion:
- This study reveals a novel reciprocal relationship between pericytes and skeletal muscle myoblasts.
- The findings suggest that myoblasts can transdifferentiate into pericytes, challenging previous understandings of cell lineage plasticity.
- The differentiation process is mediated by specific signaling pathways, including Notch signaling via Dll4 and platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB).
Key Insights:
- Pericytes serve as a source for skeletal muscle myoblasts.
- Skeletal muscle myoblasts can differentiate into pericytes, contributing to vascular repair and maintenance.
- Dll4 Notch ligand and PDGF-BB are key molecular regulators in this myoblast-to-pericyte differentiation.
Outlook:
- This discovery opens new avenues for cell-based therapies in regenerative medicine, particularly for vascular and muscle disorders.
- Further research could explore the therapeutic potential of manipulating this reciprocal cell generation for tissue repair.
- Understanding this plasticity is vital for developing effective strategies for tissue engineering and disease treatment.
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