Role of CD44⁺Stem Cells in Mural Cell Formation in the Human Choroid: Evidence of Vascular Instability Due to Limited Pericyte Ensheathment

Abstract

CD44+ stem cells are involved in the formation of mural cells in the human choroidal vasculature. A marked reduction in pericyte ensheathment of human choroidal vessels suggests a permanently open "plasticity window" and a predisposition to vascular instability and poor autoregulatory ability.