Fig 1: 1,25(OH)2D3 (calcitriol)‐mediated inhibition of pericytes (PC) proliferation and migration. 1,25(OH)2D3 inhibits PC proliferation though increased production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which promotes heterodimerization of VEGF receptor‐2/FLK‐1 (VEGFR2) and PDGFRβ. This results in attenuation of signaling though these receptors and attenuating PC proliferation. In addition, 1,25(OH)2D3 enhances p38 activation, likely through increased oxidative stress in a VDR‐independent manner attenuating PC migration. In addition, the increased expression of the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin (FN) and its receptor α5β1 integrin is consistent with increased adhesion, mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK)/ERK activation, and cell cycle arrest in wild‐type PC