Intraluminal pressure elevates intracellular calcium and contracts CNS pericytes: Role of voltage-dependent calcium channels.

ABSTRACT: Arteriolar smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and capillary pericytes dynamically regulate blood flow in the central nervous system in the face of fluctuating perfusion pressures. Pressure-induced depolarization and Ca²⁺ elevation provide a mechanism for regulation of SMC contraction, but whether pericytes participate in pressure-induced changes in blood flow remains unknown. Here, utilizing a pressurized whole-retina preparation, we found that increases in intraluminal pressure in the physiological range induce contraction of both dynamically contractile pericytes in the arteriole-proximate transition zone and distal pericytes of the capillary bed. We found that the contractile response to pressure elevation was slower in distal pericytes than in transition zone pericytes and arteriola

SUBMITTER: Klug NR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9992766 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature