DATE:  July 31, 2019

TIME:   9:00am PT, 12:00pm ET

The choroid plexus, which makes up the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier in the central nervous system (CNS), lines the ventricles, produces cerebrospinal fluid, and protects the brain via a physical barrier. Perivascular macrophages line the stromal capillaries through it, and tight junctions between the apical sides of the epithelial cells regulate the microenvironment. The choroid plexus is also believed to be an immune interface between peripheral and CNS immune systems and plays a major role in the resolution of neuroinflammation by recruiting monocytes and leukocytes into the CNS. It has also been proposed to be a target of viral infection, such as a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reservoir, and a site of damage in cerebral hemorrhage, stroke, and hypoxia. Since the choroid plexus can allow transmigration of leukocytes, recruit myeloid cells, control diffusion of small molecules and water, and control drug permeability into the CSF, it is important to have an ex-vivo culture model.

 

We designed a rhesus macaque 2D choroid plexus epithelial cell culture, as well as a modified 3D cell culture model, in order to study activation, diffusion, and migration through the choroid plexus. Our hope was to be able to understand the response of the blood-CSF barrier to peripheral HIV infection, as the rhesus macaque is an ideal animal model of infection. This model can also be used to study pro- and anti-inflammatory challenges, as well as barrier properties. 

 

 

Learning Objectives: