Tumor necrosis factor-α-stimulated brain pericytes possess a unique cytokine and chemokine release profile and enhance microglial activation

•Among neurovascular unit cells, brain pericytes are the most sensitive to TNF-α.•Pericytes possess a unique cytokine and chemokine release profile.•This profile was characterized by markedly increased release of MIP-1α and IL-6.•Stimulated pericytes induce marked IL-1β and iNOS mRNA expression in BV-2 microglia.•Pericytes may mediate TNF-α-associated brain inflammation via inflammatory factors. Brain pericytes are involved in neurovascular dysfunction, neurodegeneration and/or neuroinflammation. In the present study, we focused on the proinflammatory properties of brain pericytes to understand their participation in the induction of inflammation at the neurovascular unit (NVU). The NVU comprises different cell types, namely, brain microvascular endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes and microglia. Among these, we found pericytes to be the most sensitive to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, possessing a unique cytokine and chemokine release profile. This was characterized by marked release of interleukin (IL)-6 and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α. Furthermore, TNF-α-stimulated pericytes induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and IL-1β mRNAs, as an index of BV-2 microglial cell activation state, to the highest levels. Based on these findings, the possibility that brain pericytes act specifically as TNF-α-sensitive cells and as effectors of TNF-α through the release of proinflammatory factors, and that, as such, they have a role in inducing brain inflammation, should be considered.