Meningeal lymphatics in aging and Alzheimer’s disease

Recent research from the Kipnis laboratory (1-3) has highlighted the significance of meningeal lymphatics, which were originally identified in the dura mater of rat (4). These investigators underscored the crucial role of the meningeal lymphatics in brain immune surveillance and the clearance of metabolic wastes. They have also mapped out the path and the types of macromolecules that efflux through the meningeal lymphatics when cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drains out towards the deep cervical lymph nodes (dCLNs). In addition, they have modeled Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in mice utilizing amyloid β (Aβ) clearance as a measure of functionality of the meningeal lymphatics.