Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 8, 2025

Isolation and Characterization of the Immune Cells from Micro-dissected Mouse Choroid Plexuses
09:55

Isolation and Characterization of the Immune Cells from Micro-dissected Mouse Choroid Plexuses

Published on: February 3, 2022

7.7K

Aging-associated inflammation and fibrosis in arachnoid membrane

Hime Suzuki1, Takeshi Mikami2, Naotoshi Iwahara3

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.

BMC Neurology
|April 22, 2021
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Arachnoid membrane (AM) thickness increases with age and is linked to inflammation and fibrosis. This study reveals AM hyperplasia is influenced by aging and inflammatory cell cytokine secretion.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pathology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The physiological and pathological significance of the arachnoid membrane (AM) remains largely unknown.
  • This study investigates AM characteristics, focusing on the impact of inflammation and fibrosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the factors influencing arachnoid membrane (AM) thickness.
  • To explore the relationship between AM hyperplasia, aging, inflammation, and fibrosis.

Main Methods:

  • Collected 74 arachnoid membrane (AM) samples during neurosurgery.
  • Compared clinical and pathological characteristics of hyperplastic (≥50 μm) and non-hyperplastic (<50 μm) AM groups.
  • Quantified VEGFα, TGFβ, and TGFα mRNA levels using real-time PCR and analyzed correlations.

Main Results:

  • Hyperplastic AM group patients were significantly older.
  • Increased fibroblasts and inflammatory cells (CD68+, CD86+, CD206+) were found in the hyperplastic AM group.
  • AM thickness correlated with age, fibroblast count, inflammatory cell counts, and VEGFα mRNA expression, which in turn correlated with TGFβ and TNFα.

Conclusions:

  • Arachnoid membrane (AM) hyperplasia is influenced by aging.
  • AM hyperplasia may result from inflammation and fibrosis.
  • Cytokine secretion from inflammatory cells and fibroblasts within the AM contributes to hyperplasia.
Keywords:
AgingArachnoid membraneCytokineFibrosisInflammation

More Related Videos

Microdissection and Whole Mount Scanning Electron Microscopy Visualization of Mouse Choroid Plexus06:45

Microdissection and Whole Mount Scanning Electron Microscopy Visualization of Mouse Choroid Plexus

Published on: December 16, 2022

5.0K
Improved 3D Hydrogel Cultures of Primary Glial Cells for In Vitro Modelling of Neuroinflammation09:19

Improved 3D Hydrogel Cultures of Primary Glial Cells for In Vitro Modelling of Neuroinflammation

Published on: December 8, 2017

15.2K

Related Concept Videos

Cranial and Spinal Meninges01:19

Cranial and Spinal Meninges

The cranial and spinal meninges are complex protective structures surrounding the central nervous system (CNS), consisting of the brain and spinal cord. These meninges consist of the dura mater, the arachnoid mater, and the pia mater. They protect the CNS, provide structural support, and aid in circulating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Cranial Meninges
These meningeal layers cover the cranium. The dura mater is the outermost layer of cranial meninges. It is a thick and durable membrane of dense...
2.5K
Extracellular Matrix01:26

Extracellular Matrix

Unlike epithelial tissue, which is composed of cells closely packed with little or no extracellular space in between, connective tissue cells are dispersed in a matrix. This extracellular matrix (ECM) is composed of fibrous proteins like collagen, elastin, and fibronectin in a ground substance consisting of interstitial fluid, cell adhesion proteins, and proteoglycans. The proteoglycans form a gel-like material in the spaces between cells and provide hydration, buffering, binding, and force...
4.3K
The Effect of Aging on Tissues01:19

The Effect of Aging on Tissues

Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
3.0K
Amyloid Fibrils03:03

Amyloid Fibrils

Amyloid fibrils are aggregates of misfolded proteins.  Under most circumstances, misfolded proteins are either refolded by chaperone proteins or degraded by the proteasome. However, in the case of a mutation or a disease, these proteins can accumulate to form large clusters and often further assemble to form elongated fibers, called fibrils. 
Amyloid deposits were observed as early as 1639 in the liver and the spleen.   In 1854, Rudolph Virchow performed iodine staining,...
11.0K
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction01:23

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
154
Fibril-associated Collagen01:11

Fibril-associated Collagen

Fibril-associated collagens are a type of collagens present in the extracellular matrix with interrupted triple helices or FACIT (Fibril-associated collagens interrupted triple-helices). FACIT help connect and attach the collagen fibrils with each other as well as with other proteins of the extracellular matrix.
For example, the type II collagen fibrils in cartilage have covalently bound type IX fibril-associated collagens at regular intervals. Other types of fibril-associated collagens are...
2.9K