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. [ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20024907 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17986482 GOC:tfm GOC:dsd http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16807374 https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=bn%3A0721662544 MESH:D020286 ]
Synonyms: ARC cell of Rouget adventitial reticular cell pericyte of Rouget pericyte cell
Term information
- FMA:63174
- BTO:0002441
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.