TGF β1 Drives Integrin Dependent Pericyte Migration and Microvascular Destabilization In Fibrotic Disease

Interactions between endothelial cells (EC) and mural pericytes (PC) are critical to maintaining the stability and function of the microvascular wall. Abnormal interactions between these two cell types are a hallmark of progressive fibrotic diseases, such as systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma). However, the role that PCs play in signaling microvascular dysfunction remains underexplored. It is hypothesized that integrin-matrix interactions contribute to PC migration from the vascular wall and conversion into interstitial myofibroblasts.

Source: American Journal of Pathology - March 26, 2024 Category: Pathology Authors: Amanda S. Pellowe, Michelle J. Wu, Tae-Yun Kang, Tracy D. Chung, Adrian Ledesma-Mendoza, Erica Herzog, Andre Levchenko, Ian Odell, John Varga, Anjelica L. Gonzalez Tags: Regular Article Source Type: research