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Interplay between Brain Pericytes and Endothelial Cells in Dementia
Tessa V Procter1, Anna Williams2, Axel Montagne3
1Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, Edinburgh BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
The American Journal of Pathology
|July 30, 2021
Summary
Dementia risk rises with aging, but impaired communication between brain blood vessel cells (endothelial cells and pericytes) is a key factor. Restoring this crosstalk may offer new dementia treatments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Vascular Biology
- Dementia Research
Background:
- Dementia prevalence is increasing due to aging populations and limited treatments.
- Cerebral small vessel disease and Alzheimer disease are leading causes of dementia, sharing vascular dysfunction.
- The neurogliovascular unit, including the blood-brain barrier (BBB), is crucial for brain health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review how endothelial-pericyte crosstalk dysfunction contributes to dementia.
- To focus on cerebral small vessel disease and Alzheimer disease.
- To examine pericyte coverage loss and its downstream effects.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on endothelial-pericyte interactions in dementia.
- Analysis of the role of the neurogliovascular unit in maintaining brain homeostasis.
- Examination of how BBB disruption precipitates cognitive decline.
Main Results:
- Disruption of endothelial-pericyte crosstalk leads to BBB breakdown.
- Loss of pericyte coverage results in downstream pathological changes.
- Impaired crosstalk alters cerebral blood flow, transcription, neuroinflammation, and transcytosis.
Conclusions:
- Endothelial-pericyte crosstalk is vital for maintaining BBB integrity.
- Dysfunctional crosstalk is a major driver of dementia pathology.
- Understanding this interaction may reveal new therapeutic targets for dementia.
