Harnessing the stem cell properties of pericytes to repair the brain

Over the last ten years or so,it has become apparent that pericytes have the potential to differentiate into other cell types which may help in the repair and regeneration of tissue after injury.In fact,pericytes have been described as a precursor to mesenchymal stem cells.Their location at the interface between the microvasculature and the brain parenchyma means they are ideally positioned to initiate repair and regeneration in response to various factors.In this perspective,we will highlight how pericytes have stem cell potential alongside their role in regulating processes,such as angiogenesis and inflammation,and discuss how pericytes could be harnessed to promote tissue repair in the brain(Figure 1).