A novel in vitro model to study pericytes in the neurovascular unit of the developing cortex.

ABSTRACT: Cortical function is impaired in various disorders of the central nervous system including Alzheimer's disease, autism and schizophrenia. Some of these disorders are speculated to be associated with insults in early brain development. Pericytes have been shown to regulate neurovascular integrity in development, health and disease. Hence, precisely controlled mechanisms must have evolved in evolution to operate pericyte proliferation, repair and cell fate within the neurovascular unit (NVU). It is well established that pericyte deficiency leads to NVU injury resulting in cognitive decline and neuroinflammation in cortical layers. However, little is known about the role of pericytes in pathophysiological processes of the developing cortex. Here we introduce an in vitro model that enables to

SUBMITTER: Zehendner CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3836850 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature