The choroid plexus as a sex hormone target: Functional implications

Abstract

The choroid plexuses (CPs) are highly vascularized branched structures that protrude into the ventricles of the brain, and form a unique interface between the blood and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In recent years, novel functions have been attributed to this tissue such as in immune and chemical surveillance of the central nervous system, brain development, adult neurogenesis and circadian rhythm regulation. Sex hormones (SH) are widely recognized as modulators in several neurodegenerative diseases, and there is evidence that estrogens and androgens regulate several fundamental biological functions in the CPs. Therefore, SH are likely to affect the composition of the CSF impacting on brain homeostasis. This review will look at implications of the CPs' sex-related specificities.

Keywords: Brain barriers; Cerebrospinal fluid; Chemical surveillance; Choroid plexus; Circadian rhythm; Immune surveillance; Neurogenesis; Olfactory signalling; Sex hormones; Taste signalling.