Asymmetric localization of Notch2 on the microvillous surface in choroid plexus epithelial cells

Notch family molecules are transmembrane receptors that play various roles in contact-dependent cell–cell interactions in a wide range of organs. In the brain, Notch2, but not the other members of Notch, is expressed in the choroid plexus at an exceptionally high level. We immunohistochemically examined the cellular and subcellular localization of Notch2 protein in the choroid plexus using confocal and electron microscopy. Unexpectedly, Notch2 was asymmetrically localized on the microvillous surface of epithelial cells in the choroid plexus of both postnatal and adult rats. This localization pattern of Notch2 suggests its novel and unknown role independent of contact with adjacent cells in the choroid plexus. In organotypic cultures of the choroid plexus, the addition of anti-Notch2 antibody resulted in deformation of microvilli in epithelial cells, which suggests a role of Notch2 in the maintenance of the microvillous structure in choroid plexus epithelial cells.