Distinct Fibroblast Lineages Give Rise to NG2+ Pericyte Populations in Mouse Skin Development and Repair

The study demonstrated that NG2+ pericytes in mouse skin originated from distinct fibroblast lineages, specifically Lrig1+ papillary and Dlk1+ reticular fibroblasts, during both skin development and wound repair. These pericytes were lineage-restricted to blood vessel-associated populations and did not contribute to other dermal cell types. The research highlighted the heterogeneity within the perivascular niche, identifying four distinct NG2+ perivascular cell populations based on Pdgfrα and Pdgfrβ expression. NG2 was consistently expressed by 70-80% of perivascular cells, making it a reliable marker for identifying pericytes. The study provided insights into the lineage origins and roles of pericytes, emphasizing their crucial role in vascular regeneration during skin repair.