Pericytes in Vascular Development and Function

Abstract

Pericytes are perivascular cells that line the abluminal surface of the microvasculature. Recent years have witnessed tremendous progress in understanding the function of these cells. Pericytes have emerged as important regulators of vascular development and homeostasis. In addition, pericytes possess several organ-specific functions, including regulation of blood flow and modulation of the immune response. Pericytes are also emerging as therapeutic targets in pathological conditions such as tissue fibrosis, stroke, and tumors. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the ontogeny and morphology of pericytes, signaling pathways critical for pericyte recruitment to developing vessels, and various physiological roles of pericytes.