The choroid plexus, a barrier between the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), is known to accumulate lead (Pb) and also possibly function to maintain brain's homeostasis of Abeta, an important peptide in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease. This study was designed to investigate if Pb exposure altered Abeta levels at the blood-CSF barrier in the choroid plexus. Rats received ip injection of 27...

The choroid plexus epithelium forms the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier and accumulates essential minerals and heavy metals. Choroid plexus is cited as being a "sink" for heavy metals and excess minerals, serving to minimize accumulation of these potentially toxic agents in the brain. An understanding of how low doses of contaminant metals might alter transport of other solutes in the choroid...

The mammalian brain restricts the entrance of ions and solutes circulating in the bloodstream by two cellular barriers, namely, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and bloodcerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier (Brightman et al., 1970; Ballabh, 2004). The BBB is built up by a monolayer of endothelial cells (ECs) lining the brain capillaries that restricts the movement of small polar molecules and macromo...

The choroid plexus and the third ventricle wall of the rat brain were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Macrophages of various shapes known as Kolmer cells were attached to the ependymal surface of the choroid plexus densely covered with microvilli. Some cells possessed numerous fine processes radiating from the centrally located cell body and ending, often with an attenuated web-like t...

BACKGROUND The choroid plexus (CP) is an epithelial and vascular structure in the ventricular system of the brain that is a critical part of the blood-brain barrier. The CP has two primary functions, 1) to produce and regulate components of the cerebral spinal fluid, and 2) to inhibit entry into the brain of exogenous substances. Despite its importance in neurobiology, little is known about how...

Choroid plexus cysts (CPCs) are the most common neuroepithelial cysts, but rarely present with neurological signs or symptoms. Intracranial lipomas are generally seen at an interhemispheric location, and solitary choroid plexus lipomas (CPLs) have been reported in only a few cases. Here we report a symptomatic case of a 39-year-old woman with combined CPC and CPL on the lateral ventricle. She p...

Because the brain lacks a true lymphatic system, it is unclear how peripheral lymphocytes recognize foreign antigens present in the central nervous system. This report demonstrates that the choroid plexus, which constitutes the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, is able to present foreign antigen to, and stimulate the proliferation of, peripheral helper T lymphocytes through an Ia-dependent, ma...