Imaging the Choroid Plexus

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Radiology

Background:

• The choroid plexus (CP), once thought only to produce cerebrospinal fluid, is now recognized for its roles in brain immunosurveillance and immune cell trafficking.
• Histopathology and animal studies reveal inflammatory cell accumulation and dynamic CP volume changes correlating with immune infiltration in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the evolving role of the choroid plexus (CP) in the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS).
• To explore the CP as a potential therapeutic target for managing MS progression.

Main Methods:

• Review of histopathology findings in donor tissue.
• Corroboration with animal studies using immunohistopathology and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• In vivo MRI studies in individuals with MS to assess CP volume and inflammation over disease stages.

Main Results:

• The CP is involved in immune cell trafficking and shows inflammatory changes in MS.
• CP volume increases early in MS, and inflammation persists throughout the disease.
• MRI studies demonstrate dynamic changes in CP volume linked to immune cell infiltration.

Conclusions:

• The choroid plexus (CP) is implicated in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathophysiology, exhibiting inflammation and volume changes.
• The CP's role extends beyond CSF production, encompassing immune surveillance and cell trafficking.
• Further investigation of the CP, aided by advanced imaging, may identify novel therapeutic strategies for MS.