Role of pericytes and endothelial cells in tissue repair and related pathological processes.

This article focuses on the role of pericytes and endothelial cells (EC). Some of the general functions of pericytes which have been postulated are, contractibility, considerable mesenchymal potentiality and control of EC growth by a mechanism that requires contact and activation of latent transforming growth factor. The possible role of pericytes during angiogenesis and granulation tissue formation may be related to the two latter functions that is, as a modulator of EC growth and as a source of other cells.