[The distribution and evolution of pericytes in infantile hemangioma].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the distribution, phenotype and development of pericytes in infantile hemangioma.


METHODS
Fifty-two infantile hemangioma samples were included in our study. alpha-SMA was used as the marker antigen to observe the distribution of pericytes. Transmission electron microscope and TUNEL method were used to analyze the apoptosis of pericytes.


RESULTS
In the early and middle proliferating stage, there existed many pericytes in hemangioma; Pericytes together with endothelial cells generated vasculogenesis. In the late proliferating stage, many pericytes became apoptotic. In the early involuting stage, there were only a few of pericytes around the microvessels; After that, the microvessels became obstruction progressively and pericytes disappeared finally.


CONCLUSIONS
The pericyte is one of the major constitutive cells of hemangioma. The vasculogenesis, development and disappearance of microvessels undertaken by pericytes and endothelial cells lead to the pathologic evolution of infantile hemangioma.
Yuan
Si-ming
SM
Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Nanjing General Hospital of Nanjing Command, Nanjing 210002, China.
Jiang
Hui-qing
HQ
Ouyang
Tian-xiang
TX
Xing
Xin
X
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology*; D020286:Pericytes / Q000473:pathology*