Abstract
Pericytes, spatially isolated contractile cells on capillaries, have been reported to control cerebral blood flow physiologically, and to limit blood flow after ischaemia by constricting capillaries and then dying. Paradoxically, a recent paper dismisses the idea of pericytes controlling cerebral blood flow, despite confirming earlier data showing a role for pericytes. We show that these discrepancies are apparent rather than real, and depend on the new paper defining pericytes differently from previous reports. An objective definition of different sub-classes of pericyte along the capillary bed is needed to develop novel therapeutic approaches for stroke and disorders caused by pericyte malfunction.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 451-455 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism |
Volume | 36 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 1 2016 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Pericyte
- blood-brain barrier
- capillary
- cerebral blood flow
- stroke
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neurology
- Clinical Neurology
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine