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The vascular system comprises an extensive network of arteries, capillaries, and veins. The vascular system can be broadly divided into the blood and lymphatic systems. Typically, blood vessels can be categorized into three histological regions: tunica intima, tunica media, and tunica adventitia. The tunica intima consists of a single layer of endothelial cells attached to the basal lamina. Underlying the basal lamina is a connective tissue layer and an elastic lamina that gives stability and...
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The cytoplasm of adjacent animal cells can exchange small molecules, ions, and secondary messengers via the communication channels which form the gap junctions. These junctions comprise a few hundred to thousands of molecular channels, each made of two halves, called the connexon hemichannel. A connexon is a hexamer of six transmembrane connexin proteins, which assemble radially, thus forming a pore or channel in the center. One connexon hemichannel docks with a corresponding connexon on the...
Capillaries and Their Types01:20

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Capillaries, a crucial constituent of the circulatory system, are diminutive vessels with a diameter between 5–10 micrometers, accommodating perfusion to the tissues through the phenomenon known as microcirculation. Through their permeable walls, consisting of an endothelial layer ensconced by a basement membrane and sporadically dispersed smooth muscle fibers, the exchange of substances between the blood and the interstitial fluid becomes plausible. Variance in wall composition exists, with...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 9, 2026

In Vivo Fiber-Coupled Pre-Clinical Confocal Laser-scanning Endomicroscopy (pCLE) of Hippocampal Capillaries in Awake Mice
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Pericyte-endothelial gap junctions in developing rat cerebral capillaries: a fine structural study

K Fujimoto1

  • 1Department of Anatomy, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama, Japan.

The Anatomical Record
|August 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Pericytes and endothelial cells in rat embryo brains communicate via gap junctions. This suggests pericytes regulate endothelial cell proliferation and cerebral microcirculation development.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Fine structural study of basal forebrain capillaries in rat embryos.
  • Revealed intercellular coupling between pericytes and endothelial cells.
  • Identified gap junctions as the mediating structures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the structural basis of intercellular communication between pericytes and endothelial cells.
  • To understand the role of pericytes in the development of cerebral microcirculation.

Main Methods:

  • Transmission electron microscopy for fine structural analysis.
  • Examination of capillary structures in the basal forebrain of rat embryos.

Main Results:

  • Gap junctions were identified connecting pericytes and endothelial cells.
  • These junctions were formed by the adluminal plasmalemma of pericytes and the abluminal plasmalemma of endothelial cells.

Conclusions:

  • Gap junctions directly link pericyte and endothelial cell cytoplasms.
  • Pericytes likely play a significant role in endothelial proliferation.
  • Pericytes are postulated to regulate the development of cerebral microcirculation in prenatal mammals.