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Updated: Dec 25, 2025
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A High Output Method to Isolate Cerebral Pericytes from Mouse
Published on: January 14, 2020
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Research advances in pericyte function and their roles in diseases
Zi-Sen Zhang1, He-Nan Zhou1, Shuang-Shuang He1
1State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China.
Summary
Pericytes, crucial pluripotent cells regulating microcirculation, are implicated in numerous vascular diseases. This review highlights their structure, function, and role in disease pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Pericytes are pluripotent cells regulating microcirculation, similar to smooth muscle cells.
- Pericyte dysfunction is linked to microvascular diseases like hypertension, diabetic retinopathy, and neurodegenerative conditions.
- Historically, the existence and function of pericytes have been underappreciated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of pericyte biology.
- To elucidate the distribution, structure, and biomarkers of pericytes.
- To explore signaling pathways and the role of pericytes in vascular diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of pericyte research.
- Analysis of pericyte structure and function.
- Examination of pericyte involvement in disease mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Pericytes possess contractile properties regulating blood flow and permeability.
- Pericyte dysfunction contributes to hypoxia, fibrosis, inflammation, and tumor formation.
- Detailed insights into pericyte distribution, markers, and signaling pathways are presented.
Conclusions:
- Pericytes are vital regulators of microvascular homeostasis.
- Understanding pericyte function is critical for developing treatments for microvascular diseases.
- Further research into pericytes will unlock new therapeutic strategies for vascular pathologies.
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