Pericytes in Vascular Development

Abstract

Purpose of Review Pericytes are essential components of capillaries in many tissues and organs, contributing to vessel stability and integrity, with additional contributions to microvascular function still being discovered. We review current and foundational studies identifying pericyte differentiation mechanics and their roles in the earliest stages of vessel formation. Recent Findings Recent advances in pericyte-focused tools and models have illuminated critical aspects of pericyte biology including their roles in vascular development. Pericytes likely collaborate with endothelial cells undergoing vasculogenesis, initiating direct interactions during sprouting and intussusceptive angiogenesis. Pericytes also provide important regulation of vascular growth including mechanisms underlying vessel pruning, rarefaction, and subsequent regrowth. Summary A phenotypic transition likely occurs as pericytes shift from roles in vascular development to supporting vessel maturation, homeostasis, and physiology. We provide a forward-looking perspective on pericyte-focused studies of vascular development and applications aimed at basic and clinically relevant insights into pericyte biology.

Midbrain organoids mimic early embryonic neurodevelopment and recapitulate LRRK2-p.Gly2019Ser-associated gene expression

“…It has been reported that pericytes can originate from the neuroectoderm and contribute to the formation of vasculature in the CNS. 45 , 46 , 47 The presence of mesenchymal cells was also originally reported by Smits et al., 2020. 26 Moreover, recent studies showed that a mesenchymal-like cell population appears in the early development of the cortex, even before the beginning of neurogenesis.…”

Molecular basis for pericyte-induced capillary tube network assembly and maturation

“…A fundamental requirement for the development and maintenance of the vascular system is the interaction between endothelial cells (ECs) and mural cells, which can be pericytes or vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) ( Adams and Alitalo, 2007 ; Armulik et al, 2011 ; Stratman and Davis, 2012 ; Bowers et al, 2016 ; Payne et al, 2020 ). The vasculature, which is exposed to blood, has an EC lining and on its abluminal side, pericytes or vascular smooth muscle cells are present.…”

Brain Capillary Pericytes are Metabolic Sentinels that Control Blood Flow through KATP Channel Activity

“…Pericytes play a range of roles in the brain, which include control of blood-brain barrier function 12 , regulation of endothelial gene expression 13 , promotion of proper vascular development 56 , provision of structural stability 57 , and regulation of blood flow 15,58 . Moreover, they appear to be particularly vulnerable cells in the context of dementias and a range of other disorders impinging on brain function (e.g.…”