Abstract:
A large number of studies have demonstrated that the growth and metastasis of tumors are closely correlated with tumor angiogenesis.Pericytes are an important part of the vascular tissues, which play a significant role in angiogenesis and vascular stability.As perivascular stromal cells, pericytes can provide structural support to the blood vessels and regulate local physiological environment via its influence on the vascular stability.Although the functional role of pericytes in cancer progression remains unclear, numerous studies have indicated that the aberrations in the pericyte–endothelial cell signaling networks could contribute significantly on tumor angiogenesis and metastasis.This review aims to critically evaluate the results of a recent study on the functional role of pericytes in tumor pathophysiology and discuss potential therapeutic targets for anticancer intervention.