The senses of the choroid plexus

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cell Biology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• The brain's chemical environment is protected by the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB).
• These barriers utilize tight junctions, transporters, and enzymes to form a chemical surveillance system, safeguarding the brain from harmful substances.
• This system, however, impedes the delivery of therapeutics for various brain conditions, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of newly identified chemosensory receptors (odorant, vomeronasal, and taste receptors) at brain barriers.
• To understand how these receptors contribute to the regulation of the brain's chemical surveillance system.
• To explore the potential of these receptors in managing central nervous system fluid composition.

Main Methods:

• Identification and localization of odorant, vomeronasal, and taste receptors at the BBB and BCSFB.
• Analysis of receptor expression patterns in response to altered blood and cerebrospinal fluid compositions.
• Functional studies to assess the impact of ligand binding on transporter and enzyme activity within barrier cells.

Main Results:

• Chemosensory receptors are strategically positioned at brain barriers to sense fluid composition.
• Ligand binding to these receptors may initiate signaling cascades that modulate transporter and enzyme functions.
• These receptors represent potential upstream regulators of the brain's protective chemical surveillance system.

Conclusions:

• Chemosensory receptors at brain barriers play a crucial role in monitoring and responding to changes in the central nervous system environment.
• These receptors offer novel therapeutic targets for enhancing drug delivery across the BBB and BCSFB.
• Understanding these mechanisms is vital for developing effective treatments for neurological disorders and brain infections.