Abstract
Pericytes were discovered about 150 years ago and their name can be translated as enveloping cells. The location of pericytes on the outer wall of capillaries, the presence of appendages and close contact with neighboring endothelial cells of the capillaries resulted in the hypothesis of their participation in the capillary blood flow control. Over the last years, a large number of publications confirming this hypothesis have appeared. Moreover, the data accumulated to date indicate that pericytes are multifunctional cells and play a significant and sometimes key role in such processes as regulation of tissue blood flow, functioning of the blood-brain barrier, angiogenesis, vascular remodeling, and immune responses. The participation of pericytes in the pathogenesis of certain diseases has been shown and the potential for their use as targets for therapeutic effects has been demonstrated.
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