Establishment and Characterization of an Embryonic Pericyte Cell Line

Abstract

Objective:

Pericytes are specialized perivascular cells embedded within the basement membrane. These cells envelope the abluminal surface of endothelial cells and promote microvessel homeostasis. Recent discoveries of unique pericyte functions, particularly in neural tissues, underscore the need for overcoming existing challenges in establishing a functionally validated pericyte cell line. Here, we present methodologies for addressing these challenges as well as an embryonic pericyte cell line for use with in vitro and ex vivo experimental models.

Methods:

We isolated an enriched population of Neural Glial Antigen-2 (NG2):DsRed+ pericytes from embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5) mice. This pericyte cell line was compared to mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) with respect to gene expression, cell morphology and migration, and engagement with endothelial cells during junction stabilization and angiogenesis.

Results:

NG2+ pericytes displayed gene expression patterns, cell morphology, and 2D migration behaviors distinct from MEFs. In three different vessel formation models, pericytes from this line migrated to and incorporated into developing vessels. When co-cultured with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), these pericytes stimulated more robust VE-Cadherin junctions between HUVECs as compared to MEFs, as well as contributed to HUVEC organization into primitive vascular structures.

Conclusions:

Our data support use of this pericyte cell line in a broad range of models to further understand pericyte functionality during normal and pathological conditions.