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Structural and functional conservation of non-lumenized lymphatic endothelial cells in the mammalian leptomeninges

Authors :
Shannon Shibata-Germanos
Alan Grieg
James R. Goodman
Jason Rihel
Sandrine C. Foti
Tammaryn Lashley
Thomas A. Hawkins
Raphael F. P. Castellan
Roy O. Weller
Jeffrey J. Iliff
Bridget C. Benson
Rosa Maria Correra
Melissa Barber
Christiana Ruhrberg
Ana Faro
Chintan A. Trivedi
Source :
Acta Neuropathologica
Publication Year :
2019

Abstract

The vertebrate CNS is surrounded by the meninges, a protective barrier comprised of the outer dura mater and the inner leptomeninges, which includes the arachnoid and pial layers. While the dura mater contains lymphatic vessels, no conventional lymphatics have been found within the brain or leptomeninges. However, non-lumenized cells called Brain/Mural Lymphatic Endothelial Cells or Fluorescent Granule Perithelial cells (muLECs/BLECs/FGPs) that share a developmental program and gene expression with peripheral lymphatic vessels have been described in the meninges of zebrafish. Here we identify a structurally and functionally similar cell type in the mammalian leptomeninges that we name Leptomeningeal Lymphatic Endothelial Cells (LLEC). As in zebrafish, LLECs express multiple lymphatic markers, containing very large, spherical inclusions, and develop independently from the meningeal macrophage lineage. Mouse LLECs also internalize macromolecules from the cerebrospinal fluid, including Amyloid-β, the toxic driver of Alzheimer’s disease progression. Finally, we identify morphologically similar cells co-expressing LLEC markers in human post-mortem leptomeninges. Given that LLECs share molecular, morphological, and functional characteristics with both lymphatics and macrophages, we propose they represent a novel, evolutionary conserved cell type with potential roles in homeostasis and immune organization of the meninges. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00401-019-02091-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Details

ISSN :
14320533
Volume :
139
Issue :
2
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Acta neuropathologica
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....48d6ec7ec2115a00e844cc1323550803