Abstract 18576: Hypoxia Induces Phenotypic Switching of Human Pericytes Into Smooth Muscle Cells That is Associated With Changes in Pericyte-specific Non-coding RNA Expression

Background: Pericytes are pivotal for endothelial barrier integrity, angiogenesis, organ function and wound healing. While endothelial hypoxic reponses are well explored, knowledge on the effects of hypoxia on human pericytes (hPC) is sparse. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) control gene expression by various mechanisms, but their functions in hPC remain unknown. We hypothesized that hypoxia influences the hPC-specific transcriptome and hPC phenotype. Methods: hPC were validated by analyzing established pericyte expression markers via qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence (IF). Subsequently, hPC and HUVEC were subjected towards hypoxia (24h 1%O2), and next generation RNA deep sequencing (RNAseq) was performed. hPC viability following hypoxia was analyzed by CalceinRed assay. Results: hPC expressed specific pericyte markers (Desmin, NG2, alphaSMA, PDGFRb) on mRNA and protein level. Cell viability of hPC was not affected by hypoxia. RNAseq revealed that 109 coding genes are significantly regulated in both HUVEC and hPC, w...