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Measuring Deformability and Red Cell Heterogeneity in Blood by Ektacytometry
Published on: January 12, 2018
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Microvascular Mural Cell Organotypic Heterogeneity and Functional Plasticity.
Annegret Holm1, Tina Heumann2, Hellmut G Augustin3
1Division of Vascular Oncology and Metastasis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance), Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Vascular Biology and Tumor Angiogenesis, European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
Trends in Cell Biology
|January 9, 2018
Summary
Microvascular mural cells (MMCs) are diverse and plastic, playing key roles in blood vessel health and disease. Further research is needed to define their heterogeneity, origins, and specific markers for better understanding.
Area of Science:
- Vascular biology and cell biology
- Physiology and pathophysiology of microcirculation
Background:
- Microvascular mural cells (MMCs), including pericytes and smooth muscle cells, are crucial for microvascular homeostasis and disease.
- MMCs exhibit plasticity and diverse phenotypes along the microvascular bed, forming a continuum from pericytes to vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).
- Their organotypic subpopulations are thought to have tissue-specific functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on the phenotypic and organotypic heterogeneity of MMCs.
- To explore the functional plasticity of MMCs in health and disease.
- To highlight the need for better definition of MMC origins and marker identification.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent research and emerging concepts.
- Synthesis of findings on MMC heterogeneity and plasticity.
- Analysis of organ-specific functional roles.
Main Results:
- MMCs represent a heterogeneous population with a spectrum of phenotypes.
- MMC subpopulations exhibit tissue-context-dependent functions.
- Significant gaps exist in understanding MMC origin and specific markers.
Conclusions:
- MMCs are a highly plastic and heterogeneous cell population with critical roles in microvascular function.
- Further investigation into MMC origins, markers, and context-dependent functions is essential.
- Understanding MMC heterogeneity is key to addressing microvascular diseases.
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