Pericytes mediate neurovascular remodeling in chronic arterial hypertension

Abstract

Chronic arterial hypertension restructures the vascular architecture of the brain, leading to a series of pathological responses that culminate in cerebral small vessel disease. Pericytes respond dynamically to vascular challenges; however, how they manifest under the continuous strain of hypertension has not been elucidated. Therefore, in this study, we characterized pericyte behavior alongside hypertensive states in the spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rat (SHRSP) model, emphasizing their phenotypic and metabolic transformation. Our results reveal an early transition in PDGFR{beta}+ pericytes toward increased NG2 and CD13 co-expressing subtypes, signaling enhanced pericyte reactivity in an effort to stabilize vascular structures and an inflammatory engagement within the vascular niche in response to hypertensive stress. Gene expression profiling of microvessels revealed altered expression within crucial pathways i.e., angiogenesis, blood-brain barrier integrity, hypoxia and inflammation. Furthermore, we detected that circulating extracellular vesicles from SHRSP alter pericyte mitochondrial membrane potential, highlighting their ability to transmit pathogenic signals that exacerbate vascular remodeling. Detailed metabolic analysis revealed a significant shift toward glycolytic metabolism in pericytes already in initial hypertension, alongside a dysregulation of ATP production pathways. These findings emphasize the transformative influence of hypertension on cerebral pericytes and the extensive consequences on cerebral vascular health.