FIGURE 1.

Brain pericyte phenotype in normal and pathological conditions. Under normal physiological conditions (A) brain pericytes exhibit tight junctions (Tjs) with endothelial cells (ECs), and are embedded in the basal lamina. Under pathological conditions, such as injury, infection or neurodegeneration (B), pericytes present a migrating phenotype with up-regulation of ICAM expression, pro-inflammatory cytokine release with ensuing recruitment of peripheral mononuclear cells. Additionally, under pathological conditions, the continuity of basal lamina is lost and the existence of fibrin scars contributes to blood–brain barrier impairment.