Open AccessPericytes, Microvasular Dysfunction, and Chronic Rejection
Author(s) -
Małgorzata Kloc,
Jacek Z. Kubiak,
Xian Chang Li,
Rafik M. Ghobrial
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.45
H-Index - 204
eISSN - 1534-6080
pISSN - 0041-1337
DOI - 10.1097/tp.0000000000000648
Subject(s) - pericyte , fibrosis , transplantation , mural cell , medicine , biology , transplant rejection , endothelial dysfunction , immunology , neuroscience , microbiology and biotechnology , pathology , endothelial stem cell , in vitro , biochemistry
Chronic rejection of transplanted organs remains the main obstacle in the long-term success of organ transplantation. Thus, there is a persistent quest for development of antichronic rejection therapies and identification of novel molecular and cellular targets. One of the potential targets is the pericytes, the mural cells of microvessels, which regulate microvascular permeability, development, and maturation by controlling endothelial cell functions and regulating tissue fibrosis and inflammatory response. In this review, we discuss the potential of targeting pericytes in the development of microvasular dysfunction and the molecular pathways involved in regulation of pericyte activities for antichronic rejection intervention.