Immortalized CNS pericytes are quiescent smooth muscle actin-negative and pluripotent

► We characterize the morphology and cell type specific markers of immortalized pericytes from the Immortomouse ► Immortalized pericytes (IMPs) are alpha-smooth muscle actin negative when grown for long periods at 33 °C and express NG2 and PDGF receptor ► IMPs retain the potential to differentiate along mesodermal and neural cell lineages under appropriate culture conditions ► Generation of neurospheres in IMP cultures is enhanced by the presence of endothelial cells