http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/micc.12107/abstract
Abstract
In pathological scenarios, such
as tumor growth and diabetic retinopathy, blocking angiogenesis would be
beneficial. In others, such as myocardial infarction and hypertension,
promoting angiogenesis might be desirable. Due to their putative
influence on endothelial cells, vascular pericytes have become a topic
of growing interest and are increasingly being evaluated as a potential
target for angioregulatory therapies. For example, the strategy of
manipulating pericyte recruitment to capillaries could result in anti-
or pro-angiogenic effects. However, our current understanding of
pericytes is limited by knowledge gaps regarding pericyte identity and
lineage. To use a music analogy, this review is a “mash-up” that
attempts to integrate what we know about pericyte functionality and
expression with what is beginning to be elucidated regarding their
regenerative potential. We explore the lingering questions regarding
pericyte phenotypic identity and lineage. The expression of different
pericyte markers (e.g., SMA, Desmin, NG2 and PDGFR-β) varies
for different subpopulations and tissues. Previous use of these markers
to identify pericytes has suggested potential phenotypic overlaps and
plasticity toward other cell phenotypes. Our review chronicles the state
of the literature, identifies critical unanswered questions, and
motivates future research aimed at understanding this intriguing cell
type and harnessing its therapeutic potential.
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