Age-related molecular and functional remodeling of the choroid plexus in the gray mouse lemur

Abstract

Aging is accompanied by complex alterations in brain structure and functions, with growing evidence implicating the choroid plexus (CP) as a key regulator of cognitive and motor function. Here, we investigated age-related changes in the CP of the gray mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus), a non-human primate model that recapitulates human brain aging features. Lemurs of different ages underwent behavioral testing, followed by transcriptomic profiling and immunofluorescence analyses of lateral ventricle CP tissue. Behavioral assessments revealed age-related declines in motor coordination and exploratory drive, whereas working memory and visual discrimination remained preserved. Histological analysis showed no significant structural alterations in CP architecture. Transcriptomic profiling identified 1,519 upregulated and 1,682 downregulated genes with aging, highlighting increased interindividual heterogeneity, upregulation of immune- and transport-related pathways, and downregulation of signaling and intercellular communication processes. Functionally, AQP1 protein expression decreased with age without changes in mRNA levels, suggesting post-transcriptional regulation, whereas NKCC1 and TTR expression were largely maintained. Notably, reduced AQP1 expression correlated with age-related motor decline. These findings support a model in which aging mouse lemur CP undergoes functional reorganization and selective vulnerability rather than by generalized structural or functional deterioration. Our results highlight a primate-like aging profile of the CP, providing insights into mechanisms by which CP dysfunction may contribute to age-related motor decline and altered brain homeostasis.

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BibTeX RIS

BibTeX

@article{amiot2026agerelated,
  title = {{Age-related molecular and functional remodeling of the choroid plexus in the gray mouse lemur}},
  author = {Florent Amiot and Antxon Etchebest and Bijou Andriambelo and Joannie St-Germain and Mariano Avino and Mélanie Plourde and Benoit Laurent and Fabien Pifferi},
  journal = {PLoS ONE},
  year = {2026},
  month = aug,
  doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0357233},
  url = {https://hal.science/hal-05790400v1},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}

RIS

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Age-related molecular and functional remodeling of the choroid plexus in the gray mouse lemur
AU  - Florent Amiot
AU  - Antxon Etchebest
AU  - Bijou Andriambelo
AU  - Joannie St-Germain
AU  - Mariano Avino
AU  - Mélanie Plourde
AU  - Benoit Laurent
AU  - Fabien Pifferi
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/08/31
JO  - PLoS ONE
DO  - 10.1371/journal.pone.0357233
UR  - https://hal.science/hal-05790400v1
AB  - Aging is accompanied by complex alterations in brain structure and functions, with growing evidence implicating the choroid plexus (CP) as a key regulator of cognitive and motor function. Here, we investigated age-related changes in the CP of the gray mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus), a non-human primate model that recapitulates human brain aging features. Lemurs of different ages underwent behavioral testing, followed by transcriptomic profiling and immunofluorescence analyses of lateral ventricle CP tissue. Behavioral assessments revealed age-related declines in motor coordination and exploratory drive, whereas working memory and visual discrimination remained preserved. Histological analysis showed no significant structural alterations in CP architecture. Transcriptomic profiling identified 1,519 upregulated and 1,682 downregulated genes with aging, highlighting increased interindividual heterogeneity, upregulation of immune- and transport-related pathways, and downregulation of signaling and intercellular communication processes. Functionally, AQP1 protein expression decreased with age without changes in mRNA levels, suggesting post-transcriptional regulation, whereas NKCC1 and TTR expression were largely maintained. Notably, reduced AQP1 expression correlated with age-related motor decline. These findings support a model in which aging mouse lemur CP undergoes functional reorganization and selective vulnerability rather than by generalized structural or functional deterioration. Our results highlight a primate-like aging profile of the CP, providing insights into mechanisms by which CP dysfunction may contribute to age-related motor decline and altered brain homeostasis.
SN  - 1932-6203
SN  - 1932-6203
ER  -

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