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Trafficking of immune cells in the central nervous system
Emma H. Wilson, … , Wolfgang Weninger, Christopher A. Hunter
Emma H. Wilson, … , Wolfgang Weninger, Christopher A. Hunter
Published May 3, 2010
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2010;120(5):1368-1379. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI41911.
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Science in Medicine

Trafficking of immune cells in the central nervous system

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Abstract

The CNS is an immune-privileged environment, yet the local control of multiple pathogens is dependent on the ability of immune cells to access and operate within this site. However, inflammation of the distinct anatomical sites (i.e., meninges, cerebrospinal fluid, and parenchyma) associated with the CNS can also be deleterious. Therefore, control of lymphocyte entry and migration within the brain is vital to regulate protective and pathological responses. In this review, several recent advances are highlighted that provide new insights into the processes that regulate leukocyte access to, and movement within, the brain.

Authors

Emma H. Wilson, Wolfgang Weninger, Christopher A. Hunter

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Figure 2

Immune surveillance via the choroid plexus.

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Immune surveillance via the choroid plexus.
The choroid plexus is compos...
The choroid plexus is composed of highly invaginated loops of capillaries and pia mater that reach into the ventricles of the brain. Cells from the blood and under the influence of chemokines undergo adhesion, rolling, and diapedesis across the fenestrated capillary endothelium and pia mater of the choroid plexus. The basement membrane and tight junctions of the choroid plexus epithelium provide a further barrier, the brain-CSF barrier. These modified epithelial cells (Kolmer cells) have bulbous microvilli that secrete the CSF. Infiltrating leukocytes migrating through these cells enter the ventricles that contain CSF and circulate around the CNS. The chemokine CCL20 is expressed on the basolateral side of the choroid plexus epithelial cells, attracting CCR6-expressing CD4+ T cells. Chemokines and their receptors demonstrated to be involved in the trafficking of immune cells into the CSF are provided in Table 2.

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ISSN: 0021-9738 (print), 1558-8238 (online)

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