Pericytes are contractile smooth muscle-like cells that cover the abluminal surface of microvessels. They are most abundant on venules and are common on capillaries. The pericyte population is highly variable between different tissues and organs and appears to show functional heterogeneity. Brain vascular pericytes play a crucial role in the formation and functionality of the blood-brain barrier, regulation of angiogenesis, survival of endothelial cells, and clearance and phagocytosis of cellular debris. Due to the close relationship with endothelial cell structure and blood flow, an excess or deficiency in vascular pericyte activity has been implicated in various pathological conditions including hypertension, diabetic retinopathy, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and central nervous system tumor formation. HBVP from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from human brain. HBVP are cryopreserved at passage one and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 105 cells in 1 ml volume. HBVP are characterized by immunofluorescence with antibody specific to α-smooth muscle actin, NG2, and platelet derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFR-β). HBVP are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast, and fungi. HBVP are guaranteed to further expand for 15 population doublings under the conditions provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories. Recommended Medium It is recommended to use Pericyte Medium (PM, Cat. #1201) for culturing HBVP in vitro.