Visualizing Pericyte Mimicry of Angiotropic Melanoma by Direct Labeling of the Angioarchitecture -- Transplantation of Purified Human Pericytes for Myocardial Repair in SCID-hu Mice -- Assessment of Pericyte Phenotype by Flow Cytometry -- Characterization of Pericyte Phenotype In Vivo by Immunohistochemistry -- A Metabolomics Based Approach to Identify Lineage Guiding Molecules in Pericyte Cultures -- Pericyte Ontogeny: The Use of Chimeras to Track a Cell Lineage of Diverse Germ Line Origins -- Imaging Pericytes and the Regulation of Cerebral Blood Flow -- Derivation of Pericytes from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells -- Assessing the Bone-Forming Potential of Pericytes -- Manipulating Pericyte Function with MicroRNAs -- Isolation of Mesoangioblasts: A Subset of Pericytes with Strong Myogenic Potential from Mammals -- Role of Pericytes in the Development of the Renin/Angiotensin System: Induction of Functional Renin in Cultures of Pericytes -- Metastatic Dissemination Mimicked in a Multicellular Transwell Assay.

This volume explores the techniques used to study human and animal pericytes. Chapters in this volume cover a range of topics such as pericyte dissociation from tissues, and analysis by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry; avian chimaeras to investigate the embryonic development of cell lineage; pericyte purification by fluorescence activated cell sorting and ensuing culture; tissue turnover and regeneration; and the dynamic study of pericyte involvement in cancer dissemination, in situ, and in culture. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Pericytes: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource that helps researchers define the biologic identity, functions, and potentials of a cell lineage of increasing interest and therapeutic significance. .