Pericyte differentiation.
Pericytes are defined in vivo by their location: They are embedded within the basement membrane of microvessels. They form an integral part of the microvascular wall and are believed to participate in angiogenesis, although their precise role is not clear. Pericytes derived from the retinal microvasculature have been cultured and identified by a series of phenotypic characteristics that clearly distinguishes them from other stromal cells such as smooth muscle cells. Pericytes in vitro form multicellular nodules rich in extracellular matrix. This matrix becomes mineralized in the presence of growth medium containing serum, without exogenous beta-glycerophosphate. These results indicate that pericytes represent primitive mesenchymal cells able to differentiate into an osteogenic phenotype. Pericyte differentiation also is defined by alterations in their response to transforming growth factor beta 1 and changes in the synthesis and/or deposition of various extracellular matrix proteins such as laminin, Type IV collagen, tenascin, Type X collagen osteonectin, and thrombospondin-1. Angiogenesis is associated commonly with mineralization. These data suggest that pericytes may contribute to mineralization in vivo.
Schor
A M
AM
CRC Department of Medical Oncology, Manchester University, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, UK.
Canfield
A E
AE
Sutton
A B
AB
Arciniegas
E
E
Allen
T D
TD
D000818:Animals; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000166:cytology; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002417:Cattle; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015151:Immunoblotting; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000166:cytology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D015676:Osteonectin / Q000378:metabolism; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000166:cytology*; D019699:Thrombospondins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D015676:Osteonectin; D019699:Thrombospondins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta