AUTHOR=Cao Lu , Zhou Yanbo , Chen Mengguang , Li Li , Zhang Wei 

TITLE=Pericytes for Therapeutic Approaches to Ischemic Stroke

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neuroscience

VOLUME=Volume 15 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2021.629297

DOI=10.3389/fnins.2021.629297

ISSN=1662-453X

ABSTRACT=Pericytes are perivascular multi-potent cells located on capillaries. Though discovered in 19th century, pericytes are found playing various important roles in maintenance of blood–brain barrier (BBB) and regulation of the neurovascular system recently. In the neurovascular unit, pericytes perform the functions by coordinating their crosstalk with endothelial, glial, and neuronal cells. Dysfunction of pericytes can lead to a variety of diseases, including stroke and other neurological disorders. Recent studies have suggested that pericytes can be a therapeutic target in ischemic stroke. In this review, we first summarize the biology and functions of pericytes in the central nervous system. Then we focus on how dysfunctional pericytes contribute to the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke. Finally, we discuss new therapies for ischemic stroke  by targeting pericytes.