title: Brain and Retinal Pericytes: Origin, Function and Role.
abstract: Pericytes are specialized mural cells located at the abluminal surface of capillary blood vessels, embedded within the basement membrane. In the vascular network these multifunctional cells fulfil diverse functions, which are indispensable for proper homoeostasis. They serve as microvascular stabilizers, are potential regulators of microvascular blood flow and have a central role in angiogenesis, as they for example regulate endothelial cell proliferation. Furthermore, pericytes, as part of the neurovascular unit, are a major component of the blood-retina/brain barrier. CNS pericytes are a heterogenic cell population derived from mesodermal and neuro-ectodermal germ layers acting as modulators of stromal and niche environmental properties. In addition, they display multipotent differentiation potential making them an intriguing target for regenerative therapies. Pericyte-deficiencies can be cause or consequence of many kinds of diseases. In diabetes, for instance, pericyte-loss is a severe pathological process in diabetic retinopathy (DR) with detrimental consequences for eye sight in millions of patients. In this review, we provide an overview of our current understanding of CNS pericyte origin and function, with a special focus on the retina in the healthy and diseased. Finally, we highlight the role of pericytes in de- and regenerative processes.
authors: Research Program for Ophthalmology and Glaucoma Research, Paracelsus Medical University/SALK, University Clinic of Ophthalmology and OptometrySalzburg, Austria; Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Paracelsus Medical UniversitySalzburg, Austria.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Trost
authors: Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Paracelsus Medical UniversitySalzburg, Austria; Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University SalzburgSalzburg, Austria.
authors: Simona
authors: S
authors: Lange
authors: Research Program for Ophthalmology and Glaucoma Research, Paracelsus Medical University/SALK, University Clinic of Ophthalmology and OptometrySalzburg, Austria; Anatomy, Paracelsus Medical UniversitySalzburg, Austria.
authors: Falk
authors: F
authors: Schroedl
authors: Research Program for Ophthalmology and Glaucoma Research, Paracelsus Medical University/SALK, University Clinic of Ophthalmology and Optometry Salzburg, Austria.
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Bruckner
authors: Research Program for Ophthalmology and Glaucoma Research, Paracelsus Medical University/SALK, University Clinic of Ophthalmology and Optometry Salzburg, Austria.
authors: Karolina A
authors: KA
authors: Motloch
authors: Research Program for Ophthalmology and Glaucoma Research, Paracelsus Medical University/SALK, University Clinic of Ophthalmology and Optometry Salzburg, Austria.
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Bogner
authors: Research Program for Ophthalmology and Glaucoma Research, Paracelsus Medical University/SALK, University Clinic of Ophthalmology and Optometry Salzburg, Austria.
authors: Alexandra
authors: A
authors: Kaser-Eichberger
authors: Research Program for Ophthalmology and Glaucoma Research, Paracelsus Medical University/SALK, University Clinic of Ophthalmology and Optometry Salzburg, Austria.
authors: Clemens
authors: C
authors: Strohmaier
authors: Research Program for Ophthalmology and Glaucoma Research, Paracelsus Medical University/SALK, University Clinic of Ophthalmology and Optometry Salzburg, Austria.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Runge
authors: Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University SalzburgSalzburg, Austria; Anatomy, Paracelsus Medical UniversitySalzburg, Austria.
authors: Ludwig
authors: L
authors: Aigner
authors: Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University SalzburgSalzburg, Austria; Anatomy, Paracelsus Medical UniversitySalzburg, Austria.
authors: Francisco J
authors: FJ
authors: Rivera
authors: Research Program for Ophthalmology and Glaucoma Research, Paracelsus Medical University/SALK, University Clinic of Ophthalmology and OptometrySalzburg, Austria; Anatomy, Paracelsus Medical UniversitySalzburg, Austria.
authors: Herbert A
authors: HA
authors: Reitsamer
keywords: blood flow regulation; blood retina barrier; pericytes; retinal diseases; tissue regeneration