Pericytes are contractile smooth muscle-like cells that cover the abluminal surface of microvessels. They are most abundant on venules and are common on capillaries. The pericytes population is highly variable between different tissues and organs and appears to show functional heterogeneity. Three major functional roles have been ascribed to pericytes associated with central nervous system microvescular-contractility, regulation of endothelial cell activity, and macrophage activity. There is also evidence that pericytes are involved in the transport across the blood-brain barrier and the regulation of vascular permeability. An important role for pericytes in pathology has been indicated in hypertension, diabetic retinopathy, Alzheimerr's disease, multiple sclerosis and central nervous system tumor formation.HBVP from AcceGen Research Laboratories are isolated from human brain tissue. HBVP are cryopreserved at secondary culture after purification and delivered frozen. Each vial contains ＆gt;5×10^5 cells in 1 ml volume. HBVP are characterized by immunofluorescent method with antibodies to ?-smooth muscle actin. HBVP are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast and fungi. HBVP are guaranteed to further expand for 15 population doublings in the condition provided by AcceGen Research Laboratories.
