An elongated, contractile cell found wrapped about precapillary arterioles outside the basement membrane. Pericytes are present in capillaries where proper adventitia and muscle layer are missing (thus distingushing this cell type from adventitial cells). They are relatively undifferentiated and may become fibroblasts, macrophages, or smooth muscle cells. [ MESH:D020286 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17986482 https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=bn%3A0721662544 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20024907 GOC:tfm http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16807374 GOC:dsd ]
Synonyms: ARC cell of Rouget adventitial reticular cell pericyte of Rouget pericyte cell
Term information
- BTO:0002441
- FMA:63174
cellxgene_subset, human_reference_atlas
Pericytes are CD10-positive, CD13-positive, CD31-negative, CD45-negative, CD106-positive, CD117-negative, CD140-positive, CD144-negative, CD146-positive, CD271-positive, CD325-positive, NG2-positive, RGS5-positive, SMA-positive, and desmin-positive. A subpopulation is CD248-positive. They are also capable of producing angiopoietin 1, CXCL12, TGF-beta, and VEGF-A.