Abstract
Pericytes are a heterogenous population that plays multiple important roles in both physiological and pathological conditions. Although many markers and transgenic mouse lines have been used to identify pericytes, these tools all have limitations. For example, many of them are not pericyte-specific and none of them are able to distinguish different subtypes of pericyte. Here, we summarize commonly used pericyte markers and transgenic mouse lines, compare their unique features and limitations, and discuss key points to consider when using these tools or interpreting data generated by using them. Identifying/developing pericyte-specific and subtype-specific markers/tools will fill the gap of knowledge and substantially move the field forward.