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Eppur si muove: the dynamic brain pericyte.

Imola Wilhelm1,2, Fanni Győri3,4, Tamás Dudás3,4

  • 1Institute of Biophysics, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Temesvári krt. 62, Szeged, 6726, Hungary. wilhelm.imola@brc.hu.

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Brain pericytes generate mechanical forces essential for regulating blood flow and vessel remodeling. Different pericyte subtypes play distinct roles in both normal brain function and during conditions like stroke.

Keywords:
AngiogenesisCapillary pericyteEnsheathing pericyteMechanobiologyMigrationMyosinVasoconstrictionVasorelaxationα-SMA

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Brain pericytes, crucial for blood-brain barrier, neuroinflammation, cerebral blood flow (CBF), and angiogenesis, exhibit heterogeneity.
  • Their roles in dynamic processes like contraction and migration are vital for brain function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the contractile elements of pericytes, focusing on alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and myosin II.
  • To discuss how pericyte subtypes generate mechanical forces for vascular regulation and remodeling.

Main Methods:

  • Review of literature on pericyte contractile mechanisms.
  • Analysis of α-SMA and myosin II isoforms (Myh11, Myh9) in pericyte function.
  • Discussion of pericyte subtype roles in vasorelaxation, tone regulation, and ischemia.

Main Results:

  • Distinct pericyte subtypes generate mechanical forces influencing vessel diameter and cellular processes.
  • Ensheathing pericytes with high α-SMA mediate vasorelaxation during neurovascular coupling.
  • α-SMA-low capillary pericytes regulate basal tone and respond to local stimuli, with differing roles in ischemic vasoconstriction.

Conclusions:

  • Pericytes are dynamic cells exerting diverse mechanical forces crucial for physiological and pathological conditions.
  • These findings underscore the multifaceted mechanical roles of pericytes in the brain.