Kaul Sanjiv, Methner Carmen, Mishra Anusha
Knight Cardiovascular Institute Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
Curr Tissue Microenviron Rep. 2020 Dec;1(4):163-169. doi: 10.1007/s43152-020-00017-6. Epub 2020 Oct 30.
The microvascular capillary network is ensheathed by cells called pericytes - a heterogeneous population of mural cells derived from multiple lineages. Pericytes play a multifaceted role in the body, including in vascular structure and permeability, regulation of local blood flow, immune and wound healing functions, induction of angiogenesis, and generation of various progenitor cells. Here, we consider the role of pericytes in capillary de-recruitment, a pathophysiologic phenomenon that is observed following hyperemic stimuli in the presence of a stenosis and attenuates the hyperemic response.
We discuss recent observations that conclusively demonstrate pericytes to be the cellular structures that contract in response to hyperemic stimuli when an upstream arterial stenosis is present. This response constricts capillaries, which is likely aimed at maintaining capillary hydrostatic pressure, an important factor in tissue homeostasis. Nonetheless, the ensuing attenuation of the hyperemic response can lead to a decrease in energy supply and negatively impact tissue health.
Therapeutics aimed at preventing pericyte-mediated capillary de-recruitment may prove beneficial in conditions such as coronary stenosis and peripheral arterial disease by reducing restriction in hyperemic flow. Identification of the pericyte subtypes involved in this de-recruitment and the underlying molecular mechanisms regulating this process will greatly assist this purpose.
微血管毛细血管网络由称为周细胞的细胞包裹，周细胞是源自多个谱系的异质性壁细胞群体。周细胞在体内发挥多方面作用，包括在血管结构和通透性、局部血流调节、免疫和伤口愈合功能、血管生成诱导以及各种祖细胞生成等方面。在此，我们探讨周细胞在毛细血管去募集过程中的作用，毛细血管去募集是一种病理生理现象，在存在狭窄的情况下，充血刺激后会出现这种现象，并减弱充血反应。
我们讨论了最近的观察结果，这些结果确凿地表明，当存在上游动脉狭窄时，周细胞是对充血刺激产生收缩反应的细胞结构。这种反应会收缩毛细血管，这可能旨在维持毛细血管静水压，这是组织稳态中的一个重要因素。尽管如此，随后充血反应的减弱会导致能量供应减少，并对组织健康产生负面影响。
旨在预防周细胞介导的毛细血管去募集的治疗方法，可能通过减少充血血流的限制，在冠状动脉狭窄和外周动脉疾病等病症中证明是有益的。确定参与这种去募集的周细胞亚型以及调节这一过程的潜在分子机制，将极大地有助于实现这一目标。
