Neural pericytes: A genomic archival state programmed by CHromatin topology

Accumulating evidence suggests that mural pericytes, apart from stabilizing the associated microvessels, play additional roles in regeneration of local cellular elements. Herein, the mechanistic basis for such diverse and at times contradictory roles adopted by pericytes in the brain is reviewed. Core concepts of an emerging model are discussed wherein mural pericytes reside in a metastable archival state that conceals a neural progenitor identity. Upon angiogenic remodeling, a selected subpopulation of pericytes reclaim the progenitor state during transdifferentiation and contribute to neural regeneration. The genomic basis for neural transdifferentiation of pericytes is reviewed with reference to the extant literature.

Automated summary

This article reviews the mechanistic basis for the diverse and sometimes contradictory roles of mural pericytes in the brain. It discusses the concept of a metastable archival state that conceals a neural progenitor identity in pericytes, and their contribution to neural regeneration through transdifferentiation. The genomic basis for neural transdifferentiation of pericytes is also reviewed.