Research advances in pericyte function and their roles in diseases.

Authors :: Zhang ZS
Zhou HN
He SS
Xue MY
Li T
Liu LM
Source :: Chinese journal of traumatology = Zhonghua chuang shang za zhi [Chin J Traumatol] 2020 Apr; Vol. 23 (2), pp. 89-95. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Mar 05.
Publication Year :: 2020
Abstract: Pericyte, a kind of pluripotent cell, may regulate the irrigation flow and permeability of microcirculation. Pericytes are similar to the smooth muscle cells, which express several kinds of contractile proteins and have contractility. The dysfunction of pericytes is related to many microvascular diseases, including hypoxia, hypertension, diabetic retinopathy, fibrosis, inflammation, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and tumor formation. For a long time, their existence and function have been neglected. The distribution, structure, biomarker, related signaling pathways as well as the roles of pericytes on vascular diseases will be introduced in this review.<br />Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest No conflict of interest exists in the submission of this manuscript.<br /> (Copyright © 2020 Chinese Medical Association. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)