Fig. 1

Simplified schematic of pericytes within the microcirculation. During angiogenic remodeling of microvessels, pericytes migrate along endothelial “tip” cells and secrete extracellular matrix components into the vascular basement membrane. Pericytes establish non-overlapping spatial domains, and a subset of pericytes may modulate microvessel diameter. Pericytes closer to terminal arterioles may wrap around and ensheath vessels, though these cells are likely distinct from vascular smooth muscle cells