A Synopsis of Signaling Crosstalk of Pericytes and Endothelial Cells in Salivary Gland

Abstract

The salivary gland (SG) microvasculature constitutes a dynamic cellular organization instrumental to preserving tissue stability and homeostasis. The interplay between pericytes (PCs) and endothelial cells (ECs) culminates as a key ingredient that coordinates the development, maturation, and integrity of vessel building blocks. PCs, as a variety of mesenchymal stem cells, enthrall in the field of regenerative medicine, supporting the notion of regeneration and repair. PC-EC interconnections are pivotal in the kinetic and intricate process of angiogenesis during both embryological and post-natal development. The disruption of this complex interlinkage corresponds to SG pathogenesis, including inflammation, autoimmune disorders (Sjögren’s syndrome), and tumorigenesis. Here, we provided a global portrayal of major signaling pathways between PCs and ECs that cooperate to enhance vascular steadiness through the synergistic interchange. Additionally, we delineated how the crosstalk among molecular networks affiliate to contribute to a malignant context. Additionally, within SG microarchitecture, telocytes and myoepithelial cells assemble a labyrinthine companionship, which together with PCs appear to synchronize the regenerative potential of parenchymal constituents. By underscoring the intricacy of signaling cascades within cellular latticework, this review sketched a perceptive basis for target-selective drugs to safeguard SG function.

Mouse Spinal Cord Vascular Transcriptome Analysis Identifies CD9 and MYLIP as Injury-Induced Players

“…As pericytes and ECs can share the same membrane in specific vessel locations, denominated as a peg–socket pockets [ 30 ], it is unsurprising that CD9 expression might be shared between ECs and pericytes at different levels in the vasculature. CD9 expression has already been described as a crosstalk signalling peptide between ECs and pericytes, particularly in pocket regions where both cells share the intramembrane space [ 31 , 32 ], reinforcing the importance of our results. In addition, other studies have already associated CD9 with SCI, both in proteomic data of contusion rat models at later time points (8 weeks) [ 33 ] and in mouse cervical injury [ 34 ].…”

Dynamic Involvement of Telocytes in Modulating Multiple Signaling Pathways in Cardiac Cytoarchitecture

“…The WNT pathway is an indispensable regulator in cardiogenesis, cardiac remodeling, adult homeostasis, tissue, and organ size, cell survival and apoptosis, and is also involved in elaborating cardiomyopathies and wound healing after MI and HF [ 25 , 26 , 27 ]. WNT signaling comprises substantial pathways: a canonical pathway (WNT/beta-catenin) and a non-canonical pathway, which is further subdivided into the WNT/Ca 2+ and planar cell polarity (PCP) pathways [ 28 ].…”

“…Suppression of mTOR with rapamycin avoids cardiac hypertrophy, advocating that mTOR plays a pivotal role in cardioprotection [ 122 ]. Along these same lines, AKT and mTOR represent critical players in angiogenesis throughout physiological cardiac hypertrophy, proposing that the dislocation of these molecules may induce pathological hypertrophy [ 27 , 123 , 124 ]. On one hand, a study conducted by Naito et al [ 103 ] delineated the interconnection between PI3K and the canonical WNT pathways during early cardiomyogenesis ( Figure 2 ).…”

One of the Primary Functions of Tissue-Resident Pluripotent Pericytes Cells May Be to Regulate Normal Organ Growth and Maturation: Implications for Attempts to Repair Tissues Later in Life

“…Thus, these tissue-localized MSC are well situated to respond to biological signals traveling through the blood, as well as signals from the tissue-specific endothelial cells that are in direct contact with the bloodborne signals. Furthermore, signals from the MSC-like pericytes could engage in crosstalk with the endothelial cells for mutual benefit [ 47 ]. In addition, they are also in a position to be influenced by neural elements, directly or indirectly via neural influences on the organ-associated endothelial cells and or the tissue-specific pericytes.…”

“…Thus, the tissue-specific pericytes function as facilitators, amplifiers, and regulators for fine-tuning response patterns. There may also “cross-talk” between the regulatory pericytes and the endothelial cells of the microvasculature [ 47 ]. In the context of such a role, there would be more to it than maintenance of integrity, but also controlled expansion during the growth and maturation stage of life (0 to ~10/12 years of age) and then further sex-specific maturation following the onset of puberty.…”