Fig. 5

Culture media modifies phagocytic capacity of human brain pericytes. Human brain pericytes were plated at a low density and allowed to proliferate in either DMEM/F12 with 10% FBS or Pericyte Medium for 7 days. Cells were incubated with Fluoresbrite^® YG carboxylate microspheres of 1–2 µm diameter for 2 h and the phagocytic capacity of pericytes determined by flow cytometry. One representative plot for 1 µm beads (a) and 2 µm beads (b) is shown. The mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) from three independent experiments was determined (c). Pericytes were treated as above, except beads were incubated with cells for 24 h, fixed and nuclei counterstained with DRAQ5. Fluorescent microscopy images of one representative case from three independent experiments are shown (d). Data are displayed as mean ± SEM of three independent experiments. NS = p > 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001 (Student’s t test). Scale bar = 50 µm