Pericytes Act as Organ-Specific Regulators of Tissue Morphogenesis
A recent study published in Nature Communications reveals that pericytes, essential components of the vessel wall, function as organ-specific regulators of tissue morphogenesis through paracrine signaling. While pericytes are known for preserving vascular integrity, their role in organ growth was previously unclear. Using mouse genetics, researchers investigated the function of three pericyte-derived factors in postnatal lung and brain development. The findings indicate that pericyte-derived hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are critical for lung development but dispensable for the brain. Conversely, the growth factor Nodal is required for vessel growth and barrier function in the postnatal brain but not for lung morphogenesis. Specifically, HGF and BDNF facilitate interactions with AT2 epithelial cells and pulmonary endothelium in the lungs, while Nodal interacts with endothelial cells, astrocytes, and microglia in the brain. These results establish that pericytes provide distinct, organ-specific signals that control morphogenetic processes, highlighting their diverse roles beyond vascular support. This research significantly advances the understanding of cellular interactions during organogenesis and vascular patterning.
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Pericytes Act as Organ-Specific Regulators of Tissue Morphogenesis
A recent study published in Nature Communications reveals that pericytes, essential components of the vessel wall, function as organ-specific regulators of tissue morphogenesis through paracrine signaling. While pericytes are known for preserving vascular integrity, their role in organ growth was previously unclear. Using mouse genetics, researchers investigated the function of three pericyte-derived factors in postnatal lung and brain development. The findings indicate that pericyte-derived hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are critical for lung development but dispensable for the brain. Conversely, the growth factor Nodal is required for vessel growth and barrier function in the postnatal brain but not for lung morphogenesis. Specifically, HGF and BDNF facilitate interactions with AT2 epithelial cells and pulmonary endothelium in the lungs, while Nodal interacts with endothelial cells, astrocytes, and microglia in the brain. These results establish that pericytes provide distinct, organ-specific signals that control morphogenetic processes, highlighting their diverse roles beyond vascular support. This research significantly advances the understanding of cellular interactions during organogenesis and vascular patterning.
Nature Communications