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Cited by 116Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration MechanismsBarrier Structure and Function StudiesBone Metabolism and Diseases

Skull bone marrow channels as immune gateways to the central nervous system

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Mazzitelli, Jose A., Pulous, Fadi E., Smyth, Leon C. D., Kaya, Zeynep, Rustenhoven, Justin, Moskowitz, Michael A., Kipnis, Jonathan, Nahrendorf, Matthias·2023·Nature Neuroscience
DOI 10.1038/s41593-023-01487-1PMC PMC10894464
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Abstract

Decades of research have characterized diverse immune cells surveilling the CNS. More recently, the discovery of osseous channels (so-called 'skull channels') connecting the meninges with the skull and vertebral bone marrow has revealed a new layer of complexity in our understanding of neuroimmune interactions. Here we discuss our current understanding of skull and vertebral bone marrow anatomy, its contribution of leukocytes to the meninges, and its surveillance of the CNS. We explore the role of this hematopoietic output on CNS health, focusing on the supply of immune cells during health and disease.

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Crossref · 10.1038/s41593-023-01487-1

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  • Skull marrow is uniquely connected to the CNS borders via skull channels, allowing bidirectional exchanges of cells and signaling molecules between marrow and cells in the brain parenchyma.

    “Skull marrow is uniquely connected to the CNS borders via skull channels, allowing for bidirectional exchanges of cells and signaling molecules between marrow and cells in the brain parenchyma [366,387].”

    From Revisiting the Pathogenesis of X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy (2025) · cites this paper as [387]

    The Concluding remarks (page unavailable) describe skull channels as enabling bidirectional communication between marrow and neighboring meninges, neural tissues, and CSF, with an exchange of cells and signals. They do not specifically establish bidirectional exchange of both cells and signaling molecules between marrow and cells in the brain parenchyma; the channel-function section instead describes cell movement toward the meninges and CSF signals reaching marrow. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Skull bone marrow cells can mount a tailored immune response and supply immune cells to the brain borders and parenchyma post-inflammation.

    “They can mount a tailored immune response [387,389]. They supply immune cells to the brain borders and parenchyma post-inflammation [388,389].”

    From Revisiting the Pathogenesis of X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy (2025) · cites this paper as [387]

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Cited by

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Authors
Mazzitelli, J. A., Pulous, F. E., Smyth, L. C. D., Kaya, Z., Rustenhoven, J., Moskowitz, M. A., Kipnis, J., & Nahrendorf, M.
Affiliations
  • Washington University in St. Louis (US)
  • Harvard University (US)
  • University of Auckland (NZ)
Corresponding author
  • Kipnis, Jonathan
  • Nahrendorf, Matthias
ORCID
Venue
Nature Neuroscience
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2023-11-23
Volume
26
Issue
12
Pages
2052-2062
ISSN
  • 1097-6256 (ISSN-L)
  • 1546-1726
DOI
10.1038/s41593-023-01487-1
PMC
PMC10894464
OpenAlex
W4388946863
Cited by
116
References
22
Citations by year
2026: 46 · 2025: 42 · 2024: 28
FWCI
3.03
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Nature Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NS127808)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Barrier Structure and Function Studies
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Bone Metabolism and Diseases
Keywords
skull bone marrow, meninges, neuroimmune interactions, bone marrow leukocytes, vertebral bone marrow, immune cell trafficking, neuroinflammation
MeSH terms
Bone Marrow, Central Nervous System, Head, Meninges, Skull

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