Figure 1.

PCs participate in the communications among organs.

PCs reside in the microvascular beds of multiple organs. Dysfunctional PCs in one organ may render the PCs of other organs more susceptible to pathological conditions. PCs secrete microvesicles and microRNAs which mediate interorgan interactions in both health and disease. Therefore, exogenous administration of PCs or PC derivatives such as microvesicles and microRNAs may provide therapeutic benefit not only for the primary injury but also for the secondary complications as well as promote a restorative environment which facilitates systemic recovery. PC: Pericytes; PC-miRs: pericyte-derived microRNAs; PC-MV: pericyte-derived microvesicles.