Pericytes in Wound Healing: Friend or Foe?

Pericytes, cells located on the outer surface of blood vessels, were studied for their role in wound healing, with mixed results. While they were known to promote angiogenesis and repair in various organs, their role in skin wound healing was less clear. Mills et al. found that human pericytes delayed dermal repair in murine wounds, contradicting previous studies that suggested they promote wound healing. This discrepancy might be due to differences in experimental models, such as the use of immune-compromised animals or the interaction between human pericytes and mouse keratinocytes. The study highlighted the complexity of pericyte functions, which could stimulate some healing processes while repressing others, and emphasized the need for a better understanding of pericyte subtypes and their roles in wound healing. The potential of pericytes for cell-based therapies in wound treatment remained promising, but further research was needed to fully exploit their capabilities.