Abstract
Pericytes are vascular mural cells which play multiple roles in angiogenesis and maintenance of blood vessel morphology and stability. In this review, we analyze recent data on the participation of pericytes in the pathogenesis of proliferative and non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, as well as an emerging role in other angiogenic ocular diseases such as retinopathy of prematurity. Ways to exploit pericytes as targets for treatment of ocular diseases are discussed.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Review
MeSH terms
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Angiogenesis Inhibitors / pharmacology
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Choroidal Neovascularization / pathology
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Corneal Neovascularization / pathology
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Diabetic Retinopathy / pathology
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Eye Diseases / drug therapy
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Eye Diseases / pathology*
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Humans
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Infant, Newborn
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Infant, Premature
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Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology
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Pericytes / drug effects
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Pericytes / physiology*
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Retinal Vessels / pathology
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Retinopathy of Prematurity / pathology