Meninges and the movement of fluid, cells and pathogens in rodent and human central nervous system.

What is it about?

Meninges that surround the CNS consist of an outer fibrous sheet of dura mater that is also the inner periosteum of the skull. Underlying the dura are the arachnoid and pia mater (leptomeninges) that form the boundaries of the subarachnoid space. In this review we discuss the development, structure and inflammatory roles of the meninges.

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Why is it important?

This review emphasises the key roles that leptomeningeal cells, in their many diverse forms, play as barriers and facilitators for the movement of fluid, solutes, cells and bacteria in relation to the CNS. Understanding such mechanisms has a potential role for the future management of leptomeningitis, autoimmune disorders of the CNS and tumour metastases in the CSF.