Figure 2.

Morphological features of distinct pericyte (PC) subtypes. PC are characterized by a typical “bump on a log” appearance arising from an ovoid protruding nucleus and extending cytoplasmic processes that contact the abluminal side of the vascular basal membrane (BM) and run inside of its duplicature. Thin-strand pericytes (A) possess relatively long thin cytoplasmic processes with a complex branching pattern that sparsely cover brain capillaries. Mesh pericytes (B) have a less complex branching pattern, and their thicker and shorter processes provide more comprehensive coverage of brain capillaries. Ensheathing pericytes (C) are characterized by the least complex branching pattern and almost complete coverage of pre-capillary arterioles.