Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 24, 2026
07:47
Characterizing Epithelial Wound Healing In Vivo Using the Cnidarian Model Organism Clytia hemisphaerica
Published on: February 10, 2023
2.3K
Pericytes: A newly recognized player in wound healing
Richard J Bodnar1,2,3, Latha Satish2,4, Cecelia C Yates1,2,3,5
1Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Summary
Pericytes, cells traditionally known for vessel support, dual roles in wound healing. They can promote scar-free repair or pathological fibrosis, impacting chronic wounds and skin healing.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Dermatology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Pericytes traditionally stabilize blood vessels and regulate capillary flow.
- Emerging research indicates pericytes have dynamic roles in tissue repair.
- These roles include both beneficial healing and pathological scarring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the dual role of pericytes in wound repair.
- To explore the relationship between pericytes and skin parenchymal cells.
- To evaluate pericyte involvement in chronic wounds and fibrosis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of current research on pericytes in wound healing.
- Analysis of pericyte phenotypes and their contribution to tissue remodeling.
- Discussion of pathological implications in chronic wound and fibrotic conditions.
Main Results:
- Pericytes contribute to vascular involution during wound healing resolution.
- Pericytes can adopt a fibrotic phenotype, promoting scar formation.
- The interaction between pericytes and parenchymal cells influences healing outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Pericytes are key regulators of wound healing, with context-dependent functions.
- Understanding pericyte behavior is crucial for managing scarring and fibrosis.
- Targeting pericytes may offer therapeutic strategies for chronic wounds and fibrotic diseases.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Phases of Wound Repair
9.4K
Following injury, the integrity of the injured tissues must be reestablished. For example, in skin tissue, wound repair involves coordination among resident skin cells, blood mononuclear cells, extracellular matrix, growth factors, and cytokines to complete the healing cascade.
Formation of Blood Clot
In case of deep injuries, trauma to blood vessels results in blood loss. In the meantime, phospholipids released from the ruptured endothelial cellular membrane are converted into arachidonic...
Formation of Blood Clot
In case of deep injuries, trauma to blood vessels results in blood loss. In the meantime, phospholipids released from the ruptured endothelial cellular membrane are converted into arachidonic...
9.4K
01:09Introduction to Fibroblasts
4.3K
Rudolph Virchow discovered spindle-shaped cells called fibroblasts in 1858. Inactive fibroblasts, called fibrocytes, become activated by various stimuli, such as growth factors and inflammatory cytokines. Activated fibroblasts play a crucial role in wound healing, inflammation, formation of new blood vessels, and cancer progression. Uncontrolled activation of fibroblasts results in fibrosis, the excess deposition of fibrous tissue, which can lead to scarring and affect normal organs. This...
4.3K
01:19Clinical Applications of Epidermal Stem Cells
3.4K
Epidermal stem cells (EpiSCs) are mainly located at the basal layer of the epidermis. These cells repair minor injuries of the skin and replace dead skin cells. However, EpiSCs’ cannot heal severe wounds such as major burns or those from diabetes or hereditary disorders. In such cases, culturing the epidermal stem cells from the patient is possible and has yielded successful treatment options, such as laboratory-grown skin grafts. These grafts are synthesized using a patient’s own...
3.4K
01:19Overview of Regeneration and Repair
5.8K
Regeneration and repair processes are critical in healing damages caused by injury, disease, and aging. In regeneration, the damaged tissue is entirely replaced with new growth that restores the original architecture and function. In contrast, tissue repair usually results in a fixed tissue architecture involving scar formation. Scars generally do not reestablish tissue function and may also exhibit structural abnormalities at the injury site.
Regeneration
All animals have varying degrees of...
Regeneration
All animals have varying degrees of...
5.8K
01:24Inflammatory Response II: Inflammatory Exudate and Tissue Repair
9.0K
The immune system's inflammatory response destroys the invading pathogen, permitting the tissue to heal. The changes during the cellular and vascular stages allow exudate formation at the site of inflammation. The inflammatory exudate released from the wound has high protein content and a specific gravity above 1.020.
The typical wound exudate is odorless, transparent, straw-colored, thin, and watery. Exudate, however, can differ depending on the state of wound healing. Likewise, the...
The typical wound exudate is odorless, transparent, straw-colored, thin, and watery. Exudate, however, can differ depending on the state of wound healing. Likewise, the...
9.0K
01:22Formation of the Platelet Plug
10.6K
The platelet phase, the second stage of hemostasis, commences around 15-20 seconds after an injury. It follows and overlaps with the vascular phase, during which blood vessels constrict to minimize blood loss.
As the injured blood vessel contracts, endothelial cells undergo contraction, revealing collagen fibers in the basement membrane and underlying connective tissue. Furthermore, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells becomes adhesive, preparing the site for platelet adhesion. Platelets...
As the injured blood vessel contracts, endothelial cells undergo contraction, revealing collagen fibers in the basement membrane and underlying connective tissue. Furthermore, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells becomes adhesive, preparing the site for platelet adhesion. Platelets...
10.6K