title: Meningothelial cells participate in immunological processes in the cerebrospinal fluid.
abstract: Meningothelial cells (MECs) form the innermost layer of the meningeal sheath and as such are in direct contact with the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) likely influencing CSF composition. The CSF space is a site of active immunological processes. To investigate an immunological role of MECs, cytokine and chemokine secretion, phagocytotic and pinocytotic activity by MECs was analyzed following stimulation with lipopolysaccharide, phorbol ester or rotenone. Secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 by MECs increased in a dose dependent manner after stimulation concomitant with NF-κB activation. In addition, phagocytotic clearance by MECs was enhanced suggesting an immunological role for MECs in the CSF compartment and pointing to a possible connection to neurodegenerative processes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedicine and Department of Ophthalmology, University Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bordigari
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Flammer
authors.forename: Hanspeter E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Killer
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Neutzner
mesh_terms: D002273:Carcinogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D002460:Cell Line; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008578:Meninges / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D010703:Phorbol Esters / Q000494:pharmacology; D010873:Pinocytosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D012402:Rotenone / Q000494:pharmacology; D014475:Uncoupling Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D016207:Cytokines; C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D016328:NF-kappa B; D010703:Phorbol Esters; D014475:Uncoupling Agents; D012402:Rotenone