Choroid Plexus Pathophysiology

Annu Rev Pathol. 2024 Oct 9. doi: 10.1146/annurev-pathmechdis-051222-114051. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

This review examines the crucial roles of the choroid plexus (ChP) in central nervous system (CNS) pathology, emphasizing its involvement in disease mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Structural changes in the human ChP have been reported across various diseases in case reports and descriptive work, but studies have yet to pin down the physiological relevance of these changes. We highlight primary pathologies of the ChP, as well as their significance in neurologic disorders, including stroke, hydrocephalus, infectious diseases, and neurodegeneration. Synthesizing recent research, this review positions the ChP as a critical player in CNS homeostasis and pathology, advocating for enhanced focus on its mechanisms to unlock new diagnostic and treatment strategies and ultimately improve patient outcomes in CNS diseases. Whether acting as a principal driver of disease, a gateway for pathogens into the CNS, or an orchestrator of neuroimmune processes, the ChP holds tremendous promise as a therapeutic target to attenuate a multitude of CNS conditions.

Publication types

  • Review