Dissertation

Force sensing and transmission in human induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived pericytes

Pericytes, the mural cells of blood microvessels, are important regulators of vascular morphogenesis and function that have been postulated to mechanically control microvascular diameter through as yet unknown mechanisms.

Author: Iendaltseva, O.
Date: 15 November 2022
Links: Thesis in Leiden Repository

Their disfunction has been implicated in several pathologies, including cerebral ischemia, Alzheimer's disease and diabetic retinopathy.To reveal mechanisms used by pericytes for mechanical interactions within microvessels we designed models bringing human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived pericytes in contact with various micropatterned substrates representing the microvascular basement membrane organization. Our findings shed light on how pericytes can mechanically regulate microvascular morphogenesis and function, and open possibilities for testing therapeutic strategies.