Versatile subtypes of pericytes and their roles in spinal cord injury repair, bone development and repair

Bone Research, 2022 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41413-022-00203-2 · Published: January 17, 2022

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Genetics

Simple Explanation

Pericytes, important components of the neurovascular unit, are crucial for maintaining the vascular network of the spinal cord. Subtypes of pericytes, identified by markers like PDGFR-β, Desmin, CD146, and NG2, are involved in spinal cord injury (SCI) repair. Pericytes can act as stem cells for bone development and regeneration, with specific subtypes facilitating bone fracture and defect repair. Identifying specific markers to distinguish pericyte subtypes and developing efficient methods to isolate and propagate pericytes are major challenges. This review discusses the biology and roles of pericytes, their markers for identification, and cell differentiation capacity, focusing on potential applications in treating SCI and bone diseases.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Review Article

Key Findings

1
Pericytes are vital to vascular stability and the regulation of vascular structure, with different subtypes having different effects on blood vessels. PDGFR-β-type pericytes differentiate into smooth muscle cells, while CD146-type pericytes are essential for pericyte recruitment and BBB development.
2
Following SCI, new blood vessels and restored pericyte numbers are needed to repair damaged areas. Subtypes of pericytes may have neural cell differentiation potential, contributing to tissue repair and regeneration of SCI.
3
Pericytes act as a stem cell source for bone tissue regeneration, with CD146+ pericytes from skeletal tissue showing the most osteoblast formation potential. Local injection of pericytes is useful for repairing delayed union or non-union bone fractures.

Research Summary

The review summarizes the roles of pericytes in spinal cord injury (SCI) and bone repair, highlighting their subtypes, markers, and differentiation potential. Pericytes are crucial for vascular stability, angiogenesis, and tissue regeneration, with different subtypes playing distinct roles in SCI and bone development. The paper emphasizes the importance of understanding pericyte heterogeneity and developing specific markers for their isolation to improve clinical applications in SCI and bone diseases.

Practical Implications

SCI Treatment

Promoting angiogenesis following pericyte transplantation and improving the microenvironment in the damaged zone are fundamental for functional recovery in SCI.

Bone Fracture Repair

Local injection of pericytes can be a useful approach for the repair of delayed union or non-union bone fractures.

Therapeutic Targets

Understanding the role of pericytes in the bone microenvironment may help develop novel therapeutic targets and diagnostic biomarkers for bone diseases.

Study Limitations

1
Lack of single specific marker to label pericytes.
2
Pericyte marker expression varies between developmental stages, pathological processes, and cell culture environments.
3
Controversies regarding pericyte identity and specific vs. non-specific markers.

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