# Pericyte Control of Junctional Blood Flow

> **NIH NIH K01** · UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA RENO · 2021 · $148,716

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
 To sustain the health of tissues in the body, the circulatory system needs to efficiently and continuously
supply O2 and nutrients to every cell within the tissue. Capillaries, the site of gas exchange between circulating
red blood cells (RBCs) and the surrounding tissue, constitute a majority of the vasculature. Yet, how—and in fact
whether—the traverse of RBCs through the thousands of miles of branching capillaries to cells in need is a
regulated remains unknown. This 5-year proposal focuses on pericytes located at capillary junctions and their
role in regulating capillary blood flow. Pericytes, a type of contractile perivascular cell, have multiple projections
that wrap around capillaries, and in so doing, can regulate the passage of RBCs. Preliminary data presented in
this proposal show that pericytes, unlike other muscle cells, are capable of compartmentalized contraction and
constriction of different branches of a junction. We hypothesize that pericytes play an important and novel role
in structurally and dynamically changing the shape of junctions to insure the proper distribution of RBCs. In
addition, the proposal will examine the molecular players involved in pericyte contraction, in particular, the
mechanism that allows for a mode of contraction different from that of other muscle cells. The loss of pericytes
is a hallmark of many cardiovascular and neurodegenerative illnesses, yet little is known about how the absence
of pericytes affects blood flow and the pathogenesis of diseases.
 The current proposal will contribute to the career development of Dr. Albert L. Gonzales as he transitions
from a postdoctoral associate to an independent researcher. Adding to his strong background in smooth muscle
physiology, the candidate will develop new skills in state-of-the-art techniques, including in vivo multiphoton
microscopy with next-generation genetically encoded Ca2+ indicators and optogenetic actuators. The University
of Vermont is internationally recognized for its trainee development and productive research environment in
vascular physiology. Mark Nelson, Ph.D. will serve as mentor for the candidate's scientific development. Dr.
Nelson is a recognized leader in the field of vascular biology and has had 25 trainees who are now extramurally
funded tenure-track faculty members at internationally and nationally ranked universities. To enhance the
Candidate's training, the program additionally enlists internationally recognized experts, including Drs. Maiken
Nedergaard, George Wellman, and Nikolaos Tsoukias. In this productive research environment, the candidate
will establish a scientific niche and strengthen his transition to an independent research career.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10217229
- **Project number:** 5K01HL138215-06
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA RENO
- **Principal Investigator:** Albert Louis Gonzales
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $148,716
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-05-17 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10217229

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10217229, Pericyte Control of Junctional Blood Flow (5K01HL138215-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10217229. Licensed CC0.

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