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The Role of Pericytes in Neurovascular Unit: Emphasis on Stroke
Ozgur Oztop-Cakmak1, Ihsan Solaroglu2, Yasemin Gursoy-Ozdemir3
1Department of Neurology, Koç University Hospital, Istanbul, Bayrampasa, Turkey.
Insights
Pericytes are crucial cells within the blood-brain barrier (BBB) that significantly impact stroke pathophysiology. Understanding their role in neurovascular coupling offers potential new therapeutic targets for CNS disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Vascular Biology
- Neurology
Background:
- Stroke, encompassing ischemic and hemorrhagic types, poses significant healthcare challenges due to high mortality and morbidity.
- These CNS disorders primarily impact the neurovascular structure, with the blood-brain barrier (BBB) being a key affected component.
Purpose of the Study:
- This mini-review focuses on the role of microcirculation and blood-brain barrier cells in stroke pathophysiology.
- Special emphasis is placed on pericytes and their contribution to neurovascular unit function.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on stroke pathophysiology.
- Analysis of the role of pericytes within the blood-brain barrier and neurovascular unit.
Main Results:
- Pericytes are integral to the blood-brain barrier structure and function.
- They play a critical role in regulating microcirculatory supply to neuronal tissue and neurovascular coupling.
Conclusions:
- Pericytes are essential for maintaining adequate microcirculation and neuronal function.
- Understanding the mechanisms involving pericytes and the neurovascular unit can lead to novel therapeutic strategies for neurological conditions like stroke.
Background:
Among the central nervous system (CNS) disorders, diseases like ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke which are important health care problems as well as leading causes for emergency admissions, primarily affect neurovascular structure. Despite their high rate of mortality and morbidity, very few efficient treatment targets have been established until now.
Objective:
Blood-brain barrier (BBB) is the mostly effected structure in stroke as detected in both clinical studies and experimental settings. BBB is composed of endothelia, astrocyte end-foot, pericytes and basal lamina. Neurovascular unit, pericytes and BBB forming endothelia play significant pathophysiological roles in both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.
Discussion:
In this mini-review, the role of microcirculation and cells of blood-brain barrier in stroke pathophysiology will be discussed with a special emphasis based on pericytes. Pericytes are especially important for providing adequate microcirculatory supply according to needs of neuronal tissue and form one of the functionally important part of BBB and take role in neurovascular coupling. Understanding the role and disease producing mechanisms of neurovascular unit elements in different neurological conditions will provide novel targets for future treatments.
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