Ependymal cells are glial cells of the central nervous system (CNS) derived from radial glia during embryonic and fetal brain development. Ependymal cells resemble epithelial-like cells; they line the walls of the brain ventricles and the central canal of the spinal cord, and as such, make direct contact with the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). They lie on the extra-cellular matrix of the CNS and, in some places, interact with a complex network of molecules called fractone. As epithelial-like cells, they display apico-basal polarity, and cell-cell junctions. At least three types of ependymocytes can be described (E1: with multiple motile cilia, E2: biciliated and E3: uniciliated; E2 and E3 are also called tanycytes). But ependymocytes are not the sole population of cells covering brain cavities. Choroid plexus that are linked with CSF secretion are covered by a special epithelium. Such is also the case for the special ependymal cells that covered the so- called circumventricular organs.
In the mature brain, these different subtypes are responsible for diverse functions. To name a few, these cells whirl CSF via coordinated cilia beating, regulating CSF local flow, growth factor distribution, and waste clearance. They are capable of transporting electrolytes and some solutes between the CSF and the brain parenchyma. They have minimal tight junctions permitting partial exchange between the extracellular space of the brain (interstitial fluid) and CSF. They also form inner blood-CSF barriers of the choroid, circumventricular organ barriers. Additionally, a subset retain proliferative potential, mainly in ependymal cells localized in the central canal of the spinal cord.
Defects of ependymal cells have been related to several CNS diseases, including the development of hydrocephalus. Additionally, ependymal cells are susceptible to genetic changes associated with tumorigenesis. Ependymal cells are the predominant cell type associated with the CSF and deserve studies to unveil their role in both physiology and pathology. It is likely that further understanding of this non-neuronal cell type will have a great impact on our comprehension of CNS homeostasis in normal health and pathological conditions.
To this end, we welcome submissions of Original Research, Reviews, Mini-Review, Hypotheses and Theory, Perspectives, Clinical Trial, Case Reports, and Opinion articles focusing on, but not limited to the following subtopics:
- ependyma and stem cells
- histology of ependyma
- ependyma and tanycytes
- ependymal, CSF hydrodynamics, and hydrocephalus
- ependyma and tumors
- ependyma and neuropathology
- choroid plexus
- subcommissural organ
Ependymal cells are glial cells of the central nervous system (CNS) derived from radial glia during embryonic and fetal brain development. Ependymal cells resemble epithelial-like cells; they line the walls of the brain ventricles and the central canal of the spinal cord, and as such, make direct contact with the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). They lie on the extra-cellular matrix of the CNS and, in some places, interact with a complex network of molecules called fractone. As epithelial-like cells, they display apico-basal polarity, and cell-cell junctions. At least three types of ependymocytes can be described (E1: with multiple motile cilia, E2: biciliated and E3: uniciliated; E2 and E3 are also called tanycytes). But ependymocytes are not the sole population of cells covering brain cavities. Choroid plexus that are linked with CSF secretion are covered by a special epithelium. Such is also the case for the special ependymal cells that covered the so- called circumventricular organs.
In the mature brain, these different subtypes are responsible for diverse functions. To name a few, these cells whirl CSF via coordinated cilia beating, regulating CSF local flow, growth factor distribution, and waste clearance. They are capable of transporting electrolytes and some solutes between the CSF and the brain parenchyma. They have minimal tight junctions permitting partial exchange between the extracellular space of the brain (interstitial fluid) and CSF. They also form inner blood-CSF barriers of the choroid, circumventricular organ barriers. Additionally, a subset retain proliferative potential, mainly in ependymal cells localized in the central canal of the spinal cord.
Defects of ependymal cells have been related to several CNS diseases, including the development of hydrocephalus. Additionally, ependymal cells are susceptible to genetic changes associated with tumorigenesis. Ependymal cells are the predominant cell type associated with the CSF and deserve studies to unveil their role in both physiology and pathology. It is likely that further understanding of this non-neuronal cell type will have a great impact on our comprehension of CNS homeostasis in normal health and pathological conditions.
To this end, we welcome submissions of Original Research, Reviews, Mini-Review, Hypotheses and Theory, Perspectives, Clinical Trial, Case Reports, and Opinion articles focusing on, but not limited to the following subtopics:
- ependyma and stem cells
- histology of ependyma
- ependyma and tanycytes
- ependymal, CSF hydrodynamics, and hydrocephalus
- ependyma and tumors
- ependyma and neuropathology
- choroid plexus
- subcommissural organ
