The Discovery of the Pericytes: A Historical Note

Pericytes are adventitial cells located within the basement membranes of capillaries and post-capillary venules. Because they have multiple cytoplasmic processes and distinctive cytoskeletal elements, and envelope endothelial cells, pericytes are considered cells that stabilize the vessel wall, controlling endothelial cell proliferation and thereby the growth of new capillaries. Several molecules are involved in controlling and modulating the interactions between pericytes and endothelial cells, such as platelet-derived growth factor beta (PDGFβ), transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ), and angiopoietins (Angs).