Analysis of TNF-alpha-mediated cerebral pericyte remodeling.
As well as being a central regulator of inflammatory and immune-mediated events, TNF-α also influences vascular remodeling, resulting in alterations in the structure and function of blood vessels. In addition to endothelial cells, pericytes are another type of vascular cell that significantly contribute to the development, maturation, stabilization, and remodeling of blood vessels. To investigate the regulatory influence of different factors on pericyte behavior, we recently described a novel yet simple approach of isolating and culturing highly pure, high density cultures of mouse brain pericytes. In this chapter, we briefly describe this culture system, as well as methods for examining different aspects of pericyte behavior, including cell adhesion, cell migration, and cell proliferation. These assays can be used to examine the influence of TNF-α or any other factor on pericyte behavior.
Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, MEM-132, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
Jennifer V
JV
Welser-Alves
Amin
A
Boroujerdi
Ulrich
U
Tigges
Richard
R
Milner
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D020286:Pericytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha