Figure 1.

Mural cells (pericytes) are closely associated with endothelial cells in the microvasculature. Contact between mural cells and endothelial cells that are expressing the Notch ligand Jagged1 induces expression of both the Notch3 receptor and Jagged1 in mural cells. Upregulation of notch signaling in mural cells is associated with increased expression of SMC differentiation marker genes indicative of a maturation response by the mural cell. The predicted outcome of this interaction is to stabilize the contact between mural cell and endothelial cell, and to promote the formation of more robust microvascular networks in angiogenesis and in vascular network remodeling.