Pericytes and the blood-brain barrier.

This study shows that pericyte deficiency increases the permeability of the blood-brain barrier. Pericytes also function by regulating blood-brain barrier-specific gene expression patterns in endothelial cells. The results indicate a novel and critical role for pericytes in the integration of endothelial and astrocyte functions at the neurovascular level, and in the regulation of the blood-brain barrier.