Microvascular networks are vital components of the cardiovascular system, performing many key roles in maintaining the health and homeostasis of the tissues and organs in which they develop. As discussed in this review, the molecular and cellular components within the microcirculation orchestrate critical processes to establish functional capillary beds, including organization of endothelial cell (EC) polarity, guiding investment of vascular pericytes (PCs), and building the specialized extracellular matrix (ECM) that comprises the vascular basement membrane (vBM). Herein, we further discuss the unique features of the microvasculature in the central nervous system (CNS), focusing on the cells contributing to the neurovascular unit (NVU) that form and maintain the blood‐brain barrier (BBB). With a focus on vascular PCs, we offer basic and clinical perspectives on neurovascular‐related pathologies that involve defects within the cerebral microvasculature. Specifically, we present microvascular anomalies associated with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) including defects in vascular‐immune cell interactions and associated clinical therapies targeting microvessels (ie, vascular‐disrupting/anti‐angiogenic agents and focused ultrasound). We also discuss the involvement of the microcirculation in stroke responses and potential therapeutic approaches. Our goal was to compare the cellular and molecular changes that occur in the microvasculature and NVU, and to provide a commentary on factors driving disease progression in GBM and stroke. We conclude with a forward‐looking perspective on the importance of microcirculation research in developing clinical treatments for these devastating conditions.

中文翻译：

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脑微血管系统：中风和神经胶质瘤的基础和临床观点


微血管网络是心血管系统的重要组成部分，在维持其发育的组织和器官的健康和稳态方面发挥着许多关键作用。正如本综述所讨论的，微循环内的分子和细胞成分协调建立功能性毛细血管床的关键过程，包括内皮细胞 (EC) 极性的组织、引导血管周细胞 (PC) 的投资以及构建专门的细胞外基质 (ECM) ），包括血管基底膜（vBM）。在此，我们进一步讨论中枢神经系统（CNS）中微脉管系统的独特特征，重点关注有助于形成和维持血脑屏障（BBB）的神经血管单元（NVU）的细胞。我们以血管 PC 为重点，提供涉及脑微血管系统缺陷的神经血管相关病理学的基本和临床观点。具体来说，我们提出了与多形性胶质母细胞瘤（GBM）相关的微血管异常，包括血管-免疫细胞相互作用的缺陷以及针对微血管的相关临床治疗（即血管干扰/抗血管生成剂和聚焦超声）。我们还讨论了微循环在中风反应中的参与以及潜在的治疗方法。我们的目标是比较微脉管系统和 NVU 中发生的细胞和分子变化，并对推动 GBM 和中风疾病进展的因素提供评论。我们以前瞻性的视角总结了微循环研究在开发针对这些破坏性病症的临床治疗方法中的重要性。