Pericytes (formerly called Rouget cells)[1] are multi-functional mural cells of the microcirculation that wrap around the endothelial cells that line the capillaries throughout the body.[2] Pericytes are embedded in the basement membrane of blood capillaries, where they communicate with endothelial cells by means of both direct physical contact and paracrine signaling.[3] The morphology, distribution, density and molecular fingerprints of pericytes vary between organs and vascular beds.[4][5] Pericytes help in the maintainenance of homeostatic and hemostatic functions in the brain, where one of the organs is characterized with a higher pericyte coverage, and also sustain the blood–brain barrier.[6] These cells are also a key component of the neurovascular unit, which includes endothelial cells, astrocytes, and neurons.[7][8] Pericytes have been postulated to regulate capillary blood flow [9][10][11][12] and the clearance and phagocytosis of cellular debris in vitro.[13] Pericytes stabilize and monitor the maturation of endothelial cells by means of direct communication between the cell membrane as well as through paracrine signaling.[14] A deficiency of pericytes in the central nervous system can cause increased permeability of the blood–brain barrier.[6]
^Dore-Duffy, P. (2008). "Pericytes: Pluripotent cells of the blood brain barrier". Current Pharmaceutical Design. 14 (16): 1581–93. doi:10.2174/138161208784705469. PMID18673199.