Figure 1.

Perivascular arrangement of pericytes among NVU cellular structures. Pericytes extend their ramified processes along the brain vasculature, coming into direct contact with the vascular endothelium and astrocytic end-feet. Pericytes embedded in the capillary basement membrane, together with the endothelial cells of the capillary wall and astrocytic end-feet, form the blood–brain barrier. Different types of pericytes are found in distinct locations of the NVU. Ensheathing pericytes occupy mostly pre-capillary arterioles, while mesh and thin-strand pericytes are found mainly at the capillary portion of the brain microvasculature.