A subset of cerebrovascular pericytes originates from mature macrophages in the very early phase of vascular development in CNS

作者：Yamamoto Seiji^*; Muramatsu Masashi; Azuma Erika; Ikutani Masashi; Nagai Yoshinori; Sagara Hiroshi; Koo Bon Nyeo; Kita Satomi; O'Donnell Erin; Osawa Tsuyoshi; Takahashi Hiroyuki; Takano Ken ichi; Dohmoto Mitsuko; Sugimori Michiya; Usui Isao; Watanabe Yasuhide; Hatakeyama Noboru; Iwamoto Takahiro; Komuro Issei; Takatsu Kiyoshi; Tobe Kazuyuki; Niida Shumpei; Matsuda Naoyuki; Shibuya Masabumi; Sasahara Masakiyo

来源：Scientific Reports, 2017, 7(1): 3855.

DOI：10.1038/s41598-017-03994-1

Pericytes are believed to originate from either mesenchymal or neural crest cells. It has recently been reported that pericytes play important roles in the central nervous system (CNS) by regulating blood-brain barrier homeostasis and blood flow at the capillary level. However, the origin of CNS microvascular pericytes and the mechanism of their recruitment remain unknown. Here, we show a new source of cerebrovascular pericytes during neurogenesis. In the CNS of embryonic day 10.5 mouse embryos, CD31(+)F4/80(+) hematopoietic lineage cells were observed in the avascular region around the dorsal midline of the developing midbrain. These cells expressed additional macrophage markers such as CD206 and CD11b. Moreover, the CD31(+)F4/80(+) cells phagocytosed apoptotic cells as functionally matured macrophages, adhered to the newly formed subventricular vascular plexus, and then divided into daughter cells. Eventually, these CD31(+)F4/80(+) cells transdifferentiated into NG2/PDGFR beta/desmin-expressing cerebrovascular pericytes, enwrapping and associating with vascular endothelial cells. These data indicate that a subset of cerebrovascular pericytes derive from mature macrophages in the very early phase of CNS vascular development, which in turn are recruited from sites of embryonic hematopoiesis such as the yolk sac by way of blood flow.

• 出版日期2017-6-20
• 单位河北医科大学; NIH