Pericyte
Pericyte
Pericyte (pronunciation: /ˈpɛrɪˌsaɪt/), also known as Rouget cells or adventitial cells, are contractile cells that wrap around the endothelial cells of capillaries and venules throughout the body. The term "pericyte" is derived from the Greek words "peri-", meaning "around", and "-cyte", meaning "cell".
Function
Pericytes play a crucial role in the blood-brain barrier and regulate capillary blood flow, clearance of cellular debris, and angiogenesis. They also have potential roles in many other processes, such as inflammation, wound healing, and tumor growth.
Structure
Pericytes are elongated, irregularly branched cells embedded in the basement membrane of blood vessels. They are located on the abluminal surface of the endothelial cells, with which they communicate through gap junctions.
Clinical significance
Pericytes are implicated in a variety of diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer. In diabetic retinopathy, loss of Pericytes leads to increased leakage of the blood vessels in the retina, resulting in edema and vision loss.
Related terms
- Endothelial cells: The cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels.
- Angiogenesis: The physiological process through which new blood vessels form from pre-existing vessels.
- Basement membrane: A thin, fibrous, extracellular matrix of tissue that separates the lining of an internal or external body surface from underlying connective tissue.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pericyte
- Wikipedia's article - Pericyte
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