Which cells are responsible for the production of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?

Ependymal cells, specifically those found in the choroid plexus, are crucial for the production of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The choroid plexus is a network of specialized ependymal cells and blood vessels located within the ventricles of the brain. These ependymal cells are equipped with numerous cilia and microvilli that not only help in the filtration and secretion of plasma but also facilitate the circulation of CSF throughout the ventricles and subarachnoid space.

The process of CSF production involves the active transport of ions and molecules from the blood into the ependymal cells, leading to the formation of CSF that bathes the brain and spinal cord. This fluid provides essential cushioning for the brain, removes metabolic waste, and plays a role in maintaining homeostasis within the central nervous system. The other cell types listed, while they play important roles in the brain, do not contribute to the production of CSF. Astrocytes support neuronal health and regulation of the blood-brain barrier, microglia act as the immune cells of the central nervous system, and neurons are responsible for transmitting signals but do not produce CSF.