Monocyte-derived IL-10-secreting dendritic cells in choroid plexus epithelium

Choroid plexuses form an interface between peripheral blood and cerebrospin al fluid. Dendritic-like cells have been reported in a few studies of choro id plexuses in man. Here we used electron microscopy and immunophenotyping to precise the morphologic features and phenotype of these cells. Examinati on of 10 human choroid plexuses evidenced intra-epithelial dendritic cells with a clear cytoplasm, reniform nucleus and lung expansions. These cells e xpress MHC Class II, CD11b, CD14, CD32, CD68 and IL-10, but not CD40, CD80 or CD86, suggesting an immunosuppressive role for these dendritic cells. Th eir sentinel position could make them participate to the immunological sile nce of the brain. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights re served.