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Isolation of Perivascular Multipotent Precursor Cell Populations from Human Cardiac Tissue
Published on: October 8, 2016
From pericytes to perivascular tumours: correlation between pathology, stem cell biology, and tissue engineering
Marco Mravic1, Greg Asatrian, Chia Soo
1Orthopaedic Hospital Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Insights
Pericytes, once known for blood vessel support, are now recognized as crucial mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) vital for tissue regeneration. Their roles in tumor biology and tissue engineering are rapidly expanding fields of study.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Oncology
Background:
- Pericytes were traditionally recognized for their roles in angiogenesis and blood pressure regulation.
- Emerging research has significantly broadened the understanding of pericyte functions beyond their vascular support.
- Perivascular stem cells (PSCs) share many characteristics with pericytes, including surface markers and differentiation potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the multifaceted functions of pericytes and PSCs.
- To explore their importance in pathology, stem cell biology, and tissue engineering.
- To highlight their emerging roles in disease and regenerative applications.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature review was conducted.
- Studies focusing on pericyte involvement in pathology, stem cell biology, and tissue engineering were analyzed.
- Key findings regarding pericyte identity, function, and therapeutic potential were synthesized.
Main Results:
- Pericytes are identified as the perivascular origin of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), exhibiting MSC surface markers and multilineage differentiation capacity.
- Significant in vivo efficacy of PSCs has been demonstrated in bone and muscle regeneration in animal models.
- Pericytes play critical roles in tumor biology, including tumor formation, lymphovascular invasion, and perivascular spread, and are implicated in various perivascular tumors and malignancies.
Conclusions:
- Pericytes possess diverse functions in both health and disease.
- Their involvement in tumor formation, growth, and invasion is a growing area of research.
- The application of pericytes/PSCs in mesenchymal tissue engineering represents a promising and expanding field.
Purpose:
Pericytes were once thought only to aid in angiogenesis and blood pressure control. Gradually, the known functions of pericytes and other perivascular stem cells (PSC) have broadly increased. The following review article will summarize the known functions and importance of pericytes across disciplines of pathology, stem cell biology, and tissue engineering.
Methods:
A literature review was performed for studies examining the importance of pericytes in pathology, stem cell biology, and tissue engineering.
Results:
The importance of pericytes most prominently includes the identification of the perivascular identity of mesenchymal stem cells (or MSC). Now, pericytes and other PSC are known to display surface markers and multilineage differentiation potential of MSC. Accordingly, interest in the purification and use of PSC for mesenchymal tissue formation and regeneration has increased. Significant demonstration of in vivo efficacy in bone and muscle regeneration has been made in laboratory animals. Contemporaneously with the uncovering of an MSC identity for pericytes, investigators in tumour biology have found biologically relevant roles for pericytes in tumor formation, lymphovascular invasion, and perivascular tumor spread. As well, the contribution of pericytes to perivascular tumors has been examined (and debated), including glomus tumour, myopericytoma and solitary fibrous tumour/hemangiopericytoma. In addition, an expanding recognition of pericyte mimicry and perivascular tumour invasion has occurred, encompassing common malignancies of the brain and skin.
Conclusions:
In summary, pericytes have a wide range of roles in health and disease. Pericytes are being increasingly studied for their role in tumour formation, growth and invasion. Likewise, the application of pericytes/PSC for mesenchymal tissue engineering is an expanding field of interest.
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