Fig. 2: Dynamic changes of skull bone marrow and SMCs in steady-state and various pathological states. | Cell Death & Disease

Fig. 2: Dynamic changes of skull bone marrow and SMCs in steady-state and various pathological states.

From: Skull bone marrow and skull meninges channels: redefining the landscape of central nervous system immune surveillance

Fig. 2

The skull bone marrow is the closest to the CNS and is connected to the meninges via specialized structures known as SMCs. These SMCs are bony structures that contain blood vessels integrated with the blood sinuses in the bone marrow and perivascular spaces. They facilitate the transport of immune cells produced in the skull bone marrow to the dura mater through these blood vessels, while also utilizing the perivascular spaces to receive and transmit signals from CSF bidirectionally. A Under pathological conditions, CSF can transport various stimulating factors into the skull bone marrow, thereby promoting hematopoiesis and the production of disease-specific immune cells, which subsequently migrate to the dura mater through the SMCs and eventually to the brain parenchyma. B In a steady state, the skull bone marrow continues to exhibit hematopoietic activity, supplying immune cells to the dura mater to support its normal immune function.

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