Pericytes: New EPO-producing cells in the brain

Abstract

In this issue of Blood, Urrutia et al identified pericyte as a novel erythropoietin (EPO)-producing cell type in the brain. The brain pericytes function as oxygen sensors and respond to hypoxia. They are regulated by hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-2 and prolyl-4-hydroxylase (PHD) 2 and 3.1