The choroid plexus and its role in the pathogenesis of neurological infections

Abstract

The choroid plexus is situated at an anatomically and functionally important interface within the ventricles of the brain, forming the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier that separates the periphery from the central nervous system. In contrast to the blood–brain barrier, the choroid plexus and its epithelial barrier have received considerably less attention. As the main producer of cerebrospinal fluid, the secretory functions of the epithelial cells aid in the maintenance of CNS homeostasis and are capable of relaying inflammatory signals to the brain. The choroid plexus acts as an immunological niche where several types of peripheral immune cells can be found within the stroma including dendritic cells, macrophages, and T cells. Including the epithelia cells, these cells perform immunosurveillance, detecting pathogens and changes in the cytokine milieu. As such, their activation leads to the release of homing molecules to induce chemotaxis of circulating immune cells, driving an immune response at the choroid plexus. Research into the barrier properties have shown how inflammation can alter the structural junctions and promote increased bidirectional transmigration of cells and pathogens. The goal of this review is to highlight our foundational knowledge of the choroid plexus and discuss how recent research has shifted our understanding towards viewing the choroid plexus as a highly dynamic and important contributor to the pathogenesis of neurological infections. With the emergence of several high-profile diseases, including ZIKA and SARS-CoV-2, this review provides a pertinent update on the cellular response of the choroid plexus to these diseases. Historically, pharmacological interventions of CNS disorders have proven difficult to develop, however, a greater focus on the role of the choroid plexus in driving these disorders would provide for novel targets and routes for therapeutics.

Associations between brain gene expression perturbations implicated by COVID-19 and psychiatric disorders

“…Besides, a recently published study also identified genes, as well as long non-coding RNAs that were dis-regulated in neurons of choroid plexus after SARS-CoV-2 infection ( Das and Podder, 2022 ). It was indicated that neurological complications of COVID-19 might arise more commonly due to aberrant inflammation throughout CNS, which might be relayed by the choroid plexus ( Thompson et al, 2022 ).…”

Establishment of a CPER Reverse Genetics System for Powassan Virus Defines Attenuating NS1 Glycosylation Sites and an Infectious NS1-GFP11 Reporter Virus

“…At later times post-infection, POWV titers increase and spreads conventionally by the diffusion of cell-free viral particles (78) . Cell-to-cell spread is a known viral mechanism for immune evasion (78) that may contribute to dissemination in the skin or foster CNS transmission via epithelial cell barriers that comprise the choroid plexus (85)(86)(87) . The mechanism of POWV cell-to-cell spread remains to be defined, and our recLI9-GFP reporter virus may permit analysis of POWV trafficking and spread to recipient cells.…”

Rehabilitation of lateral gaze palsy in a patient with ‘Choroid Plexus Papilloma’

“…1 Intern, Department of Neurophysiotherapy, Ravi Nair Physiotherapy College, DMIHER (DU), Sawangi, Wardha, Maharashtra, India-442001 2 Assistant Professor, Department of Neurophysiotherapy, Ravi Nair brain (Thompson et al, 2022). Neuroectodermal choroid plexus tumors are an uncommon kind of cerebral malignancy.…”