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Pericytes, an overlooked player in vascular pathobiology
David Ferland-McCollough1, Sadie Slater1, Jai Richard1
1Division of Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Bristol Heart Institute, University of Bristol, United Kingdom.
Pharmacology & Therapeutics
|December 6, 2016
Summary
Pericytes, cells in blood vessel walls, are key players in vascular diseases like diabetes and cancer. Understanding their roles and therapeutic potential is crucial for developing new treatments.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Vascular Biology
- Pathobiology
Background:
- Pericytes, historically overlooked cells in the blood vessel wall, are now recognized for their significant biological roles.
- Recent isolation and characterization reveal pericytes as a heterogeneous, multi-functional cell population with tissue-specific properties and multilineage potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of pericyte involvement in various vascular pathobiological events.
- To extensively discuss the roles of pericytes in diabetes and cancer.
- To review current and emerging therapeutic strategies targeting pericytes for disease treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review synthesizing findings on pericyte biology and pathology.
- Analysis of established and novel mechanisms of pericyte involvement in disease.
- Evaluation of therapeutic approaches based on pericyte knowledge.
Main Results:
- Pericytes exhibit diverse functions and possess multilineage potential, varying by tissue.
- Pericytes play critical roles in the pathobiology of major diseases, including diabetes and cancer.
- Emerging knowledge highlights pericytes as potential therapeutic targets and tools.
Conclusions:
- Understanding pericyte-related vascular pathobiology is essential for advancing disease treatment.
- Pericytes represent a promising avenue for developing tailored therapies and novel therapeutic strategies.
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