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Updated: Sep 23, 2025
Isolating Central Nervous System Tissues and Associated Meninges for the Downstream Analysis of Immune cells
Published on: May 19, 2020
Immunological defense of CNS barriers against infections
Leonel Ampie1, Dorian B McGavern2
1Viral Immunology and Intravital Imaging Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA; Department of Surgical Neurology, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Abstract:
Neuroanatomical barriers with physical, chemical, and immunological properties play an essential role in preventing the spread of peripheral infections into the CNS. A failure to contain pathogens within these barriers can result in very serious CNS diseases. CNS barriers are inhabited by an elaborate conglomerate of innate and adaptive immune cells that are highly responsive to environmental challenges. The CNS and its barriers can also be protected by memory T and B cells elicited by prior infection or vaccination. Here, we discuss the different CNS barriers from a developmental, anatomical, and immunological standpoint and summarize our current understanding of how memory cells protect the CNS compartment. We then discuss a contemporary challenge to CNS-barrier system (SARS-CoV-2 infection) and highlight approaches to promote immunological protection of the CNS via vaccination.
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