Lastly, cells within cluster 2, described as a mature population of pericytes, were exclusively detected in the infected meninges and were characterised by the expression of genes associated with blood vessel development (Fgfr, Thbs1, Fgf2), as well as leukocyte chemotaxis and myeloid differentiation (Cxcl19) (Fig 3C and S3 Table), suggesting de novo expansion in response to infection. Here, THBS1 is linked to infection.