Posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus associates with elevated inflammation and CSF hypersecretion via activation of choroidal transporters

Sara Diana Lolansen, Nina Rostgaard, Dagne Barbuskaite, Tenna Capion, Markus Harboe Olsen, Nicolas H. Norager, Frederik Vilhardt, Søren Norge Andreassen, Trine L. Toft-Bertelsen, Fenghui Ye, Marianne Juhler, Richard F. Keep, Nanna MacAulay*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) often develops following hemorrhagic events such as intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Treatment is limited to surgical diversion of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) since no efficient pharmacological therapies are available. This limitation follows from our incomplete knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying the ventriculomegaly characteristic of PHH. Here, we aimed to elucidate the molecular coupling between a hemorrhagic event and the subsequent PHH development, and reveal the inflammatory profile of the PHH pathogenesis.

METHODS: CSF obtained from patients with SAH was analyzed for inflammatory markers using the proximity extension assay (PEA) technique. We employed an in vivo rat model of IVH to determine ventricular size, brain water content, intracranial pressure, and CSF secretion rate, as well as for transcriptomic analysis. Ex vivo radio-isotope assays of choroid plexus transport were employed to determine the direct effect of choroidal exposure to blood and inflammatory markers, both with acutely isolated choroid plexus and after prolonged exposure obtained with viable choroid plexus kept in tissue culture conditions.

RESULTS: The rat model of IVH demonstrated PHH and associated CSF hypersecretion. The Na+/K+-ATPase activity was enhanced in choroid plexus isolated from IVH rats, but not directly stimulated by blood components. Inflammatory markers that were elevated in SAH patient CSF acted on immune receptors upregulated in IVH rat choroid plexus and caused Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransporter 1 (NKCC1) hyperactivity in ex vivo experimental conditions.

CONCLUSIONS: CSF hypersecretion may contribute to PHH development, likely due to hyperactivity of choroid plexus transporters. The hemorrhage-induced inflammation detected in CSF and in the choroid plexus tissue may represent the underlying pathology. Therapeutic targeting of such pathways may be employed in future treatment strategies towards PHH patients.

Original languageEnglish
Article number62
JournalFluids and Barriers of the CNS
Volume19
Issue number1
Number of pages19
ISSN2045-8118
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Bibliographical note

© 2022. The Author(s).

Keywords

  • Intraventricular hemorrhage
  • Subarachnoid hemorrhage
  • Posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus
  • Cerebrospinal fluid
  • Immune response
  • Biomarkers
  • Choroid plexus
  • CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID
  • INTRAVENTRICULAR HEMORRHAGE
  • ADENOSINE-TRIPHOSPHATASE
  • PLEXUS
  • INTERLEUKIN-6
  • MANAGEMENT
  • SECRETION
  • ONTOLOGY
  • SYSTEM
  • ONLINE

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