Expression of tight junction proteins and transporters for xenobiotic metabolism at the blood-CSF barrier during development in the nonhuman primate (P.hamadryas)

The choroid plexus (CP) acts as a barrier between blood and brain, influencing drug movement. This study examines the CP's barrier mechanisms, metabolism, and xenobiotic transporters in fetal nonhuman primates during the second half of gestation. The study found no differences in tight-junction expression, suggesting a well-formed blood-CSF barrier in the fetus. The fetal CP expresses enzymes for metabolism and transporters, indicating a significant ability to deactivate reactive molecules. The research indicates that the CP in nonhuman primates is restrictive from midgestation onwards and expresses genes associated with barrier function and transport.

• 1
  There were no differences in the expression of the tight-junctions at the CP suggesting a well-formed fetal blood-CSF barrier during this period of gestation.
• 2
  The fetal CP express many enzymes for phase I–III metabolisms as well as transporters suggesting that it can greatly influence drug disposition and has a significant machinery to deactivate reactive molecules with only minor gestational changes.
• 3
  The study suggests that from, at least, midgestation, the CP in the nonhuman primate is restrictive and express most known genes associated with barrier function and transport.