What are pericytes?

Pericyte, also known as wall cell, routine cell or adventicial cell, is the cell of the connective tissue located in the blood vessels. Pericytes are adjacent to endothelial cells, cells that line the entire circulation system, blood vessels. It is known to stabilize the walls of the blood vessels and participate in the regulation of blood flow. These cells affect ripening, migration and survival of endothelial cells and play an important role in angiogenesis, growth and development of new blood vessels.

Pericytes are relatively undifferentiated cells. However, they can also be distinguished into fibroblastic, macrophage or smooth muscle cells. Different pericytes from different anatomical sites also differ physiologically, morphologically and biochemically.

Pericyte identification is usually performed by its anatomical position. Molecular markers used to identify deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by DNA probe are also commonly USED to identify them. Marker expression varies in different anatomical places.

One of the important roles of pericyte is to maintain the stability of the blood barrier in the brain. Blood barrier-moking prevents toxic substances from leakage from capillaries and surrounding brain tissue. Research shows that the reduction of pericytes in mice results in impaired learning and memory, as well as damage to neurons - symptoms generally associated with humans, as aged. The blood flow control in the brain is another important role that plays these cells.

Another important function of pericyte is the maintenance of homeostasis and haemostasis. When the periicytes are taken from the pancreas and again injected into the damaged muscle cell, the cells immediately begin to regenerate muscle tissue. These cells are also able to function as multipotent cells cause more lines cells. This suggests that they could affect tissue repair, wound healing and other development processes under different conditions.

Damage of pericytes in retinal blood vessels is associated with symptoms of diabetic retinopathy. Another condition, known as hemangiopecetoma, is a type of malignant tumor from pericytes inside the walls of capillaries. It is an extremely rare tumor. Treatment generally includes radiotherapy, chemotherapy and/or surgery. In patients after treatment, there are reports of recurrence and metastasis in patients.

roles that pericytes have in the development of cancer is unclear. However, the evidence suggests that aberrations in the pericyte-endothelial cell signaling networks could contribute to tumors and metastases. Scientists are working to get a better understanding of the exact role of these cells in normal and pathological conditions.