Mural cell

Mural cells are the vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs), and pericytes, of the microcirculation. Both types are in close contact with the endothelial cells lining the capillaries, and are important for vascular development and stability. Mural cells are involved in the formation of normal vasculature and are responsive to factors including platelet-derived growth factor B (PDGFB) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).[1][2] The weakness and disorganization of tumor vasculature is partly due to the inability of tumors to recruit properly organized mural cells.[3]

  1. ^ Fujimoto, Akihisa, Onodera, Hisashi, Mori, Akira, Isobe, Naoki, Yasuda, Seiichi, Oe, Hideaki, Yonenaga, Yoshikuni, Tachibana, Tsuyoshi & Imamura, Masayuki (2004) Vascular endothelial growth factor reduces mural cell coverage of endothelial cells and induces sprouting rather than luminal division in an HT1080 tumour angiogenesis model. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 85 (6), 355-364.
  2. ^ Levéen, P.; Pekny, M.; Gebre-Medhin, S.; Swolin, B.; Larsson, E.; Betsholtz, C. (1994-08-15). "Mice deficient for PDGF B show renal, cardiovascular, and hematological abnormalities". Genes & Development. 8 (16): 1875–1887. doi:10.1101/gad.8.16.1875. ISSN 0890-9369. PMID 7958863.
  3. ^ Abramsson A, Berlin O, Papayan H, Paulin D, Shani M, Betsholtz C. (2002). Analysis of Mural Cell Recruitment to Tumor Vessels. Circulation 105:112.