Brain pericytes regulate a variety of functions, such as microcirculation, angiogenesis, and the blood brain barrier in the brain. Recent studies have also shown that they are pluripotent in a manner similar to mesenchymal stem cells. Since, brain pericytes actively control these functions, these cells probably play an important role not only during brain ischemia, but also in the post-stroke period.
Masahiro Kamouchi, Tetsuro Ago, Junya Kuroda, and Takanari Kitazono.
Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi 3-1-1, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan. kamouchi@intmed2.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Cell. Mol. Neurobiol. 2012 Mar 1;32(2):159-65.
AbstractBrain pericytes regulate a variety of functions, such as microcirculation, angiogenesis, and the blood brain barrier in the brain. Recent studies have also shown that they are pluripotent in a manner similar to mesenchymal stem cells. Since, brain pericytes actively control these functions, these cells probably play an important role not only during brain ischemia, but also in the post-stroke period.