Fig. 4

Pericyte growth in culture. Immediately after isolation cell clusters are visible (green arrow), where individual cells are distinctly visible, but microtubules remain intact. At 1 DIV, a few small cell somas can be seen attached to the bottom of the plate. By 2 DIV, the first media change is completed as indicated by the red triangle icon. Pericyte-specific morphology is seen as early as 2 DIV characterized by polygonal cells with finger projections. Cell debris (purple arrow) from dying non-pericyte and other non-attached cells are visible in areas of the plate where cells are not attached whereas the spaces between attached cells are clear. Extensions of pericyte processes (orange arrow) are visible as pericytes attempt to form connections among other pericytes. At 7 DIV, cells are passaged, and morphology does not significantly change with more time in culture, cells become larger, flatter, and proliferate. Asterisks indicate timepoints where confocal imaging was completed. Scale bars in all images: 200 μm