Central nervous system pericytes in health and disease

Pericytes are uniquely positioned within the neurovascular unit to serve as vital integrators, coordinators and effectors of many neurovascular functions, including angiogenesis, blood-brain barrier (BBB) formation and maintenance, vascular stability and angioarchitecture, regulation of capillary bl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inNature neuroscience Vol. 14; no. 11; pp. 1398 - 1405
Main Authors Winkler, Ethan A, Bell, Robert D, Zlokovic, Berislav V
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Nature Publishing Group 01.11.2011
Subjects
Angiogenesis
Blood-brain barrier
Blood-Brain Barrier - physiology
Cells
Central nervous system
Central Nervous System Diseases - pathology
Degeneration
Endothelium
Homeostasis
Humans
Models, Biological
Neovascularization, Pathologic
Neovascularization, Physiologic
Nervous system
Pericytes - pathology
Pericytes - physiology
Physiological aspects
Proteins
Receptors, Notch
Signal Transduction
Spinal cord
Veins & arteries
United States
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Summary:Pericytes are uniquely positioned within the neurovascular unit to serve as vital integrators, coordinators and effectors of many neurovascular functions, including angiogenesis, blood-brain barrier (BBB) formation and maintenance, vascular stability and angioarchitecture, regulation of capillary blood flow and clearance of toxic cellular byproducts necessary for proper CNS homeostasis and neuronal function. New studies have revealed that pericyte deficiency in the CNS leads to BBB breakdown and brain hypoperfusion resulting in secondary neurodegenerative changes. Here we review recent progress in understanding the biology of CNS pericytes and their role in health and disease.
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ISSN:1097-6256
1546-1726
DOI:10.1038/nn.2946