Topographic Reorganization of Cerebrovascular Mural Cells under Seizure Conditions

Summary: Reorganization of the neurovascular unit has been suggested in the epileptic brain, although the dynamics and functional significance remain unclear. Here, we tracked the in vivo dynamics of perivascular mural cells as a function of electroencephalogram (EEG) activity following status epilepticus. We segmented the cortical vascular bed to provide a size- and type-specific analysis of mural cell plasticity topologically. We find that mural cells are added and removed from veins, arterioles, and capillaries after seizure induction. Loss of mural cells is proportional to seizure severity and vascular pathology (e.g., rigidity, perfusion, and permeability). Treatment with platelet-derived growth factor subunits BB (PDGF-BB) reduced mural cell loss, vascular pathology, and epileptiform EEG activity. We propose that perivascular mural cells play a pivotal role in seizures and are potential targets for reducing pathophysiology. : Arango-Lievano et al. follow how status epilepticus changes the dynamics of mural cell turnover at the cortical vasculature, causing vessel damage. PDGF-BB, a growth factor promoting the assembly of mural cells at the vascular unit, ameliorates vessel function and reduces spontaneous epileptiform activity. Keywords: neurovascular, epilepsy, pericyte, blood flow, PDGF-BB, PDGFR-B, in vivo microscopy