IMR Press / FBL / Volume 8 / Issue 6 / DOI: 10.2741/1085

Frontiers in Bioscience-Landmark (FBL) is published by IMR Press from Volume 26 Issue 5 (2021). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with Frontiers in Bioscience.

Article
Choroid plexus, aging of the brain, and Alzheimer's disease
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1 Hotel-Dieu 54350 Mont Saint Martin, France
2 Laboratoire d’Immunologie, Faculte de Medecine, 54500 Vandoeuvre les Nancy, France
Front. Biosci. (Landmark Ed) 2003, 8(6), 515–521; https://doi.org/10.2741/1085
Published: 1 May 2003
Abstract

Choroid plexus tissues are intraventricular structures composed of villi covered by a single layer of ciliated, cuboid epithelium. The plexuses secrete cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), synthesize numerous molecules, carry nutrients from the blood to CSF, reabsorb brain metabolism by-products and participate in brain immunosurveillance. During ageing, atrophy of epithelium occurs along with thickening of basement membranes. Enzymatic activities of epithelial cells decrease significantly. CSF secretion decreases as much as 50%. These modifications are concurrent with subnormal brain activity. In Alzheimer's disease, epithelial atrophy, thickening of basement membrane and stroma fibrosis are even more prominent. Ig and C1q deposition along the basement membrane can be frequently detected, suggesting immunological processes. Synthesis, secretory, and transportation functions are significantly altered resulting in decreased CSF turnover, reduced beta-amyloid clearance, and increased glycation phenomena as well as oxidative stress. Such modifications may favour fibrillary transformation of beta-amyloid protein and tau protein polymerisation.

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