Brain Pericytes — Crucial Regulators of Neuroinflammation in Ischemic Stroke

Inflammation is a key element in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke. The current effective treatments for ischemic stroke are almost exclusively based on reperfusion of occluded vessels. An increasing number of studies are attempting to develop better treatment strategies for ischemic stroke by investigating the involvement of neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis. There is a growing focus on the inflammatory response of glial cells within the neurovascular unit (NVU) in ischemic stroke, while pericytes, despite their central position within the NVU and having interactions with all cellular components through direct contact or signaling pathways, have been less studied in terms of the related inflammatory mechanisms. Pericytes regulate blood flow, modulate the entry of peripheral immune cells into the brain parenchyma, and contribute to the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which situates pericytes in a unique position to significantly influence NVU function. This article discusses the potential inflammatory mechanisms of pericytes in ischemic stroke from three perspectives: pericytes and innate immunity in the brain; pericytes and infiltration of peripheral inflammatory cells; and pericytes and BBB repair mechanisms. The goal is to better understand the role of pericytes in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke and to provide new insight for research and treatment.