Pericyte Control of Gene Expression in the Blood-Brain Barrier Endothelium: Implications for Alzheimer’s Disease

Results suggest that pericyte influence on blood-brain barrier endothelial gene expression confers protection from insulin resistance, iron accumulation, oxidative stress, and amyloid deposition. Since these are conditions associated with AD pathophysiology, they imply mechanisms by which pericyte degeneration could contribute to disease progression.