The Role of Choroid Plexus in Hydrocephalus from the Perspective of Structure and Function: a Therapeutic Target

Hydrocephalus is one of the most common neurological diseases, characterized by abnormal excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricular system. Its pathophysiological mechanism is believed to be related to the imbalance of CSF circulation and homeostasis. As the main source of CSF secretion, the choroid plexus is closely related to hydrocephalus. The choroid plexus is a specialized vascularized tissue located within the cerebral ventricles. It has multiple physiological functions including regulating CSF, immune response, endocrine metabolism, etc. Strategies that reduce choroid plexus CSF secretion have been shown to be effective in the treatment of hydrocephalus. However, the role of other physiological functions of the choroid plexus in hydrocephalus is still unclear. Recent studies on the choroid plexus and the blood-CSF barrier have deepened our understanding of the structure and function of the choroid plexus. The idea of targeting the choroid plexus to treat hydrocephalus has spawned many branches: choroid plexus epithelial cells, choroid plexus immune cells, choroid plexus peptides, and choroid plexus cilia, etc. This review introduces the basic structure and function of the choroid plexus, summarizes their changes in hydrocephalus, and analyzes the possibility of the choroid plexus as a therapeutic target for hydrocephalus.