Cholesterol 24-hydroxylase at the choroid plexus contributes to brain immune homeostasis

The choroid plexus (CP) plays a key role in remotely controlling brain function in health, aging, and disease. Here, we report that CP epithelial cells express the brain-specific cholesterol 24-hydroxylase (CYP46A1) and that its levels are decreased under different mouse and human brain conditions, including amyloidosis, ag-ing, and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Using primary mouse CP cell cultures, we demonstrate that the enzymatic product of CYP46A1, 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol, downregulates inflammatory transcriptomic signatures within the CP, found here to be elevated across multiple neurological conditions. In vitro, the pro -inflamma-tory cytokine tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a) downregulates CYP46A1 expression, while overexpression of CYP46A1 or its pharmacological activation in mouse CP organ cultures increases resilience to TNF-a. In vivo, overexpression of CYP46A1 in the CP in transgenic mice with amyloidosis is associated with better cognitive performance and decreased brain inflammation. Our findings suggest that CYP46A1 expression in the CP im-pacts the role of this niche as a guardian of brain immune homeostasis.

Automated summary

The expression of CYP46A1 in choroid plexus plays a role in regulating brain function and immune homeostasis. Decreased levels of CYP46A1 are observed in various brain conditions, including amyloidosis, aging, and SARS-CoV-2 infection. The enzymatic product of CYP46A1, 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol, can reduce inflammatory responses in the choroid plexus. TNF-α downregulates CYP46A1 expression, while overexpression or pharmacological activation of CYP46A1 can enhance resilience to TNF-α and improve cognitive performance in transgenic mice with amyloidosis.