The possible roles of brain pericytes in brain ischemia and stroke.

Brain pericytes regulate a variety of functions, such as microcirculation, angiogenesis, and the blood brain barrier in the brain. Recent studies have also shown that they are pluripotent in a manner similar to mesenchymal stem cells. Since, brain pericytes actively control these functions, these cells probably play an important role not only during brain ischemia, but also in the post-stroke period.