The intensity of ipsilateral ischemic brain VEGFR-3 expression was significantly higher 3-7 days after focal cerebral ischemia. At 14 days after reperfusion, no significant expression of VEGFR-3 associated with blood vessels was seen in the ischemic area.
Coverage of endothelial cells by pericytes in ischemic brain areas decreases briefly and shortly after transient ischemia, then increases, peaks at 4-7 days, and then gradually returns to 28 days and six hours after reperfusion.
The pericyte cytosol is swollen and oval in shape, compressing the microvasculature, and the lumen is significantly smaller; the pericyte is partially separated from the basement membrane.
Pericapillary cell coverage plays a key role in maintaining blood-brain barrier integrity, and both PDGFR-β and CD31 expression were significantly reduced.