Involvement of the choroid plexus in multiple sclerosis autoimmune inflammation: A neuropathological study

An immunological function has been proposed for the choroid plexus (CP). In multiple sclerosis (MS) brains, Us show (immunohistochemistry to HLA-DR, CD3, CD20, CD68, VCAM-1, CD138) T lymphocytes in vessels and stroma, VCAM-1 expression oil endothelia, intense HLA-DR immunostaining on cells in CP stroma, among CP epithelium and on epiplexus cells. CPs in control or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis brains do not show such inflammatory changes. Intense CP inflammation is observed in viral encephalitis. Changes in MS Us suggest persisting immune activation, with intensity similar to acute encephalitis, even in MS phases in which neurodegeneration prevails. In MS, Us Could represent a site for lymphocyte entry in the CSF and for CSF antigens presentation. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.