Title:The Role of Pericytes in Neurovascular Unit: Emphasis on Stroke
Volume: 18
Issue: 12
Author(s): Ozgur Oztop-Cakmak, Ihsan Solaroglu and Yasemin Gursoy-Ozdemir*
Affiliation:
- Koç University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Istanbul, Sariyer,Turkey
Keywords:
Stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, pericyte, no-reflow, neurovascular unit.
Abstract: Background: Among the central nervous system (CNS) disorders, diseases like ischemic
and hemorrhagic stroke which are important health care problems as well as leading causes for
emergency admissions, primarily affect neurovascular structure. Despite their high rate of mortality
and morbidity, very few efficient treatment targets have been established until now.
Objective: Blood-brain barrier (BBB) is the mostly effected structure in stroke as detected in both
clinical studies and experimental settings. BBB is composed of endothelia, astrocyte end-foot, pericytes
and basal lamina. Neurovascular unit, pericytes and BBB forming endothelia play significant
pathophysiological roles in both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.
Discussion: In this mini-review, the role of microcirculation and cells of blood-brain barrier in
stroke pathophysiology will be discussed with a special emphasis based on pericytes. Pericytes are
especially important for providing adequate microcirculatory supply according to needs of neuronal
tissue and form one of the functionally important part of BBB and take role in neurovascular coupling.
Understanding the role and disease producing mechanisms of neurovascular unit elements in
different neurological conditions will provide novel targets for future treatments.
