contractility, regulation of endothelial cell activity, and macrophage activity. A host of different
cell factors and signalling agents appear to be involved with these cellular functions, some
effecting the pericyte and others produced by this cell. These include neuromodulators,
vasoactive peptides, metabolic factors, growth factors and cytokines. The specific
compounds and their actions are collectively viewed in an effort to provide an overall picture
of the regulation of pericyte functional activity. This small vascular cell is emerging as a …