Mast cell activation disrupts interactions between endothelial cells and pericytes during early life allergic asthma.

Allergic asthma generally starts during early life and is linked to substantial tissue remodeling and lung dysfunction. Although angiogenesis is a feature of the disrupted airway, the impact of allergic asthma on the pulmonary microcirculation during early life is unknown. Here, using quantitative imaging in precision-cut lung slices (PCLSs), we report that exposure of neonatal mice to house dust mite (HDM) extract disrupts endothelial cell/pericyte interactions in adventitial areas.