Regarding the potential interaction between pericytes and PVMs, it was found that pericyte-conditioned medium promoted the phagocytic activity of macrophages by enhancing both signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation and scavenger receptor expression.98 Additionally, that research also revealed that macrophages can produce trophic factors to facilitate PDGFRβ signalling in pericytes, thereby synergistically benefiting post-stroke tissue repair and functional recovery. The gene discussed is STAT3; the disease is Stroke.