Diabetes mellitus has profound effects on multiple organ systems; however, the loss of
vision caused by diabetic retinopathy might be one of the most impactful in a patient's life …

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) prevents neurotoxic plasma components, blood cells, and
pathogens from entering the brain. At the same time, the BBB regulates transport of …

The neurovascular unit (NVU) is a complex multi-cellular structure consisting of endothelial
cells (ECs), neurons, glia, smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and pericytes. Each component is …

Pericytes are known as the mural cells in small-caliber vessels that interact closely with the
endothelium. Pericytes play a key role in vasculature formation and homeostasis, and when …

BACKGROUND Each organ in the human body has its own capillary bed to carry out its
distinctive and versatile functions in response to dynamically changing systemic and local …

Diabetic retinopathy is a vision-threatening disease affecting neurons and microvasculature
of the retina. The development of this disease is associated with the action of inflammatory …

To continuously process neural activity underlying sensation, movement and cognition, the
CNS requires a homeostatic microenvironment that is not only enriched in nutrients to meet …

The vertebrate vasculature displays high organotypic specialization, with the structure and
function of blood vessels catering to the specific needs of each tissue. A unique feature of …

Pericytes are positioned between brain capillary endothelial cells, astrocytes and neurons.
They degenerate in multiple neurological disorders. However, their role in the pathogenesis …

Rationale: Pericytes are capillary mural cells playing a role in stabilizing newly formed blood
vessels during development and tissue repair. Loss of pericytes has been described in …