Pericytes, perivascular cells of microvessels and capillaries, are known to play a part in
angiogenesis, vessel stabilization, and endothelial barrier integrity. However, their tissue-
specific functions in the heart are not well understood. Moreover, there is currently no
protocol utilizing readily accessible materials to isolate and purify pericytes of cardiac origin.
Our protocol focuses on using the widely used mammalian model, the mouse, as our source
of cells. Using the enzymatic digestion and mechanical dissociation of heart tissue, we …