administration of recombinant tissue-type plasminogen of the ependymal surface (cells and their cilia) results in
activator (rt-PA), minimally invasive stereotactic surgery collapse of the cerebral aqueduct walls or in aqueductal
and endoscopic surgery.8 stenosis and CSF ow occlusion6 and (2) IVH leads to
Advances in our understanding of the mechanism of failure regulating the transfer of uid, ions and small
hydrocephalus following IVH have been aided by obser- molecules between the cerebral parenchyma and the
vations in experimental animals. Mayfrank et al9 10 used ventricular uid, due to injury-caused dysfunction of the
a swine model of IVH to demonstrate that occlusion of ependymal cells.12 The relative contribution of each
CSF outow by blood clots in the ventricular system mechanism awaits further study.
and/or distention of the ventricular walls are prominent IVH causes not only ependymal cell damage, but also
mechanisms of hydrocephalus development, which also disruption of the BBB. The BBB is composed of cerebral
lead to ventricular dilation and elevation of intracranial endothelial cells and their linking tight junctions.6 In
pressure (ICP). Furthermore, the impact of the hydro- addition to protecting the brain from pathogens and
cephalus on adjacent cerebral structures and local blood unwanted molecules, the BBB also is important for
circulation was shown to persist in the animal model maintaining the CSF protein content and the osmotic
even after the acute obstructive phase.9 Similar mechan- pressure in the brain.6 Krishnamurthy et al18 injected
isms likely control IVH-induced hydrocephalus in hyperosmolar dextran and broblast growth factor
humans. (FGF) 2 into the ventricles to mimic the condition of
The total blood volume and duration of blood and increased protein content and osmotic overload result-
blood-clot presence in the ventricular system are the ing from breakdown of BBB after IVH. These solutions
main factors contributing to the intensity of communi- that increased the osmotic load in the ventricles and
cating hydrocephalus, which occurs mostly in a delayed water inux (through the choroid plexus CSF secretion
phase when an inammatory reaction is generated as a and/or through the brain) into the ventricles to normal-
result of the debris accumulating as the blood products ise this osmotic gradient successfully induced secondary
are broken down.11 hydrocephalus in a model of adult rats. However,
whether increasing osmolarity or protein content in the
ventricles would be able to maintain hydrocephalus is
BARRIER IMPAIRMENT unclear.
Hydrocephalus occurs because of increased production, Aquaporins (AQPs) are water channels facilitating
inappropriate ow or decreased reabsorption of CSF. water movement across cell membranes. In the human
Barrier-impairment mechanisms leading to hydroceph- brain, the main water channels are AQP1 and AQP4.
alus, including dysfunctional ependymal cells, blood AQP1 is a predominant component of the apical mem-
brain barrier (BBB) and the relevant molecular struc- brane of the choroid plexus, whereas AQP4 is the main
tures are summarised below. channel in the basolateral surface of ventricular epen-
The ependyma is the thin epithelium-like lining of the dymal cells.19 Choroidal AQP1 appears shortly after the
ventricular system. Ependymal cell integrity is important choroid plexus in embryonic development and
for CSF production and ow. Postnatal ependymal cells decreases with ageing. Its substantial contribution to
are non-renewable, multicilial, cuboidal epithelial cells CSF production has been demonstrated by experiments
lining the entire ventricular system. Their function in adult mice and rats.19 In severe chronic hydrocephalic
includes CSF production, which is regulated by the CSF rats,20 upregulation of brain AQP421 and its relocation
components and by neurotransmitters such as sero- from astrocyte end-feet to the entire plasma membrane
tonin.6 12 13 The ependymal cells vary in morphology of hypertrophic astrocytes might be protective response
and metabolism during development, and become rela- mechanisms developed to maintain water homoeostasis,
tively uniform in adults. They are vulnerable to injury,12 possibly by allowing absorption of transependymal CSF
which may occur as a result of increased ICP14 and/or into the brain capillaries.19
inammation.15 The structural characteristics and Additional rodent experiments have shown that AQP4
enzymatic function in mature mammalian cerebral is important in maintaining the ependymal layer integ-
ependymal cells ensure integrity of the barrier at the rity in mice, whereas its role in maintaining the integrity
brainCSF interface, which is responsible for scavenging of the BBB and CSF dynamics has been a subject of
and detoxifying various substances in the CSF, such as debate.19 Li et al13 demonstrated that the majority of
oxidants and pathogens.16 The cilia of ependymal cells AQP4-null mice presented smaller ventricle size,
have a dual functionas sensory compartments, and as decreased CSF production, higher brain water content
mediators of uid and cell movement.17 and decreased expression of the gap-junction protein
Inevitably, the ependymal surface is damaged after connexin 43 in the ependymal cells compared to wild-
IVH.6 Mayfrank et al10 observed marked loss of the epen- type mice. In addition, another AQP4-null mouse model
dymal cells covering the ventricular walls in their swine was reported to develop hyperpermeability of the BBB,
IVH model. Two complementary mechanisms under- emphasising the role of AQP4 in maintaining BBB integ-
lying ependymal cell damage and leading to hydroceph- rity.22 Feng et al23 found hydrocephalus develops in 10%
alus following IVH have been proposed: (1) disruption of AQP4-null mice, which display an incomplete
ependymal structure and consequent obstruction of hydrocephalus.33 TGF2 is located mainly in neurons
small CSF apertures, such as the cerebral aqueduct and and astroglial cells.32
fourth ventricular outlets, leading to decient water TGF1 is a highly ubiquitous cytokine that can be
transport. Qing et al24 reported iron overload and synthesised by virtually all cells, and almost all cells have
increased levels of AQP4 located in the perihaematomal been shown to have receptors for TGF1.33 Thus, the
area in an adult rat model of ICH and suggested that presence of TGF1 in the CSF could originate from the
both contributed to the development of brain oedema haemorrhage itself or from the choroid plexus.34 TGF1
after ICH. They hypothesised that AQP4 was upregu- is stored in platelet granules and, therefore, substantial
lated in response to iron accumulation in the periven- amounts of TGF1 gain access to the CSF after IVH as
tricular area to mediate hydrocephalus after IVH platelets accumulate within intraventricular blood
because AQP4 expression was shown to correlate with clots.33 TGF1 induces upregulation of the cognate
iron concentration in that model, and AQP4 upregula- genes encoding extracellular matrix proteins, such as
tion was inhibited by the iron chelator, deferoxamine.25 bronectin and laminin, which are important mediators
However, to the best of our knowledge, there have cur- of wound healing and scar formation.34 The major roles
rently been no reports on studies directly examining the of TGF2 are scarring and brosis.35 36 When these
role of AQP1 or AQP4 in the mechanism of hydroceph- events occur in the ventricular system and TGF2 acts in
alus after IVH, and there is a dearth of human data the CSF, the result can be hydrocephalus.
regarding aquaporin function in hydrocephalus.19 However, when Kaestner and Dimitriou tried to detect
the distinct behaviour of TGF1 and TGF2 following
subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and IVH in adults,32
INFLAMMATION AND FIBROSIS they found that TGF2 concentration in the plasma did
The inammation-related theory of hydrocephalus is not change over time, and displayed a parabolic concen-
well established in neonatal hydrocephalus after IVH, tration change in the CSF with a peak at day 6 post
for example, dysfunction of arachnoid granulations due ictus. In contrast, plasma levels of TGF1 increased
to obliterative arachnoiditis26 or CSF ow obstruction markedly over time in the early phase after the haemor-
due to brotic blockage.27 In contrast, the theory and rhage, whereas the CSF levels constantly decreased.
evidence to support or disprove it are limited in adults. These ndings suggest that the mechanisms of develop-
After acute obstructive hydrocephalus, inammation ment of posthaemorrhagic hydrocephalus in adults is
and subsequent scarring of the arachnoid granulations unlikely to be mediated by TGF2, while whether it
are major contributors to the secondary reaction, in involves the crucial role of TGF1 is lacking convincing
which the ow of CSF through the cerebral aqueduct, proof, as well.32 33 37
fourth ventricular outlets, basal cisterns and/or arach-
noid granulations, is prevented, resulting in communi-
cating hydrocephalus,6 28 a frequent sequel of IVH, in BLOOD COMPONENTS
which dilation of all the ventricles occurs, in contrast to Iron
obstructive hydrocephalus.15 Heme is degraded in the brain by hemeoxygenase
Inammatory reaction in response to blood-breaking (HO) into iron, carbon monoxide and biliverdin, the
products reaching the arachnoid granulations with sub- latter of which is subsequently converted to bilirubin by
sequent development of communicating hydrocephalus biliverdin reductase.31 In response to haemorrhage, HO
have been shown in animal experiments, including a plays a dual role. It stimulates protective activity by virtue
swine, rat and mouse.29 However, blockage is a relative of the anti-inammatory, antiapoptotic and antiprolifera-
phenomenon. For example, subarachnoid space occlu- tive actions of one or more of the three heme break-
sion may be present in communicating hydrocephalus.6 down products,38 but at the same time promotes
Complement activation may also play a role in hydro- harmful effects by causing brain iron overload.39
cephalus. However, only when the BBB is disrupted or Normal ependymal cells take up iron from the CSF
blood extension into the ventricular system occurs, are and prevent iron diffusion to the rest of the brain.6
components of the complement system (benecial or Thus, destruction of ependymal cells following IVH may
detrimental) allowed to pass into the ventricular system be one of the causes for increased non-protein-bound
and possibly induce immune reaction in the brain par- ironwhich is cytotoxicin the CSF, and in turn may
enchyma, including cell lysis and inammation, leading increase ependymal cell damage and exacerbate
to hydrocephalus.30 31 patients conditions.6
Inammation following IVH is mediated also by the Gao et al40 found that intraventricular injection of
transforming growth factor (TGF) family members, lysed red blood cells (RBCs), but not packed RBCs,
TGF1 and TGF2, which are among the most abundant resulted in ventricular enlargement in rats 24 h postin-
and functionally versatile cytokines in the mammalian jection. Similarly, intraventricular injection of iron also
central nervous system (CNS).32 Normally, TGF1 is resulted in ventricular enlargement and ventricular wall
restricted to the choroid plexus and meningeal cells, damage, whereas co-injection of deferoxamine with lysed
two sites that are key to the development of RBCs was protective against ventricular enlargement.
These results suggest that iron, a degradation product of mechanisms of hydrocephalus following IVH in adults
haemoglobin, has an important role in development of are distinct from those in infants. Our mini-review
hydrocephalus after IVH. Systemic deferoxamine treat- focused on research ndings in adults and animal
ment has been found to partially reverse brain iron accu- models, including blood-clot blockage, barrier impair-
mulation, hydrocephalus, bilateral enlargement of the ment, inammation and blood components, including
lateral ventricles and hippocampal tissue loss, in an adult iron and thrombin.
rat model of IVH.41 In that model, iron accumulation
was found associated with upregulation of HO-1 and Contributors YB searched most of the relevant published articles through the
ferritin (a key iron storage protein) in the hippocampus PubMed website and wrote this article. MC organised the weekly meetings of
all the authors, searched some articles and provided helpful input on the
and periventricular areas.41
topic. TG, XW and XL also found some useful papers. They attended the
The role of free iron in IVH-induced hydrocephalus weekly discussions and gave the first author valuable suggestions for writing
may be tightly linked to the inammatory response. the paper. FG supervised and offered guidance to all the authors about
Complement-mediated erythrocyte lysis may expose the properly choosing a theme, and amended and polished the manuscript before
CSF and brain to the damaging effects of free iron it was finalised.
ions.6 42 43 Intraventricular macrophages express trans- Funding This study was supported and funded by a grant from the National
ferrin receptors and may be involved in iron regula- Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (number 81471168).
tion,44 which is also of possible importance after IVH as Competing interests None declared.
haemosiderin, an iron-storage complex containing fer- Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
ritin, is found within macrophages after haemorrhage.6
In animal models of hydrocephalus, the level of comple- Data sharing statement No additional data are available.
ment receptor type 3 in intraventricular macrophages is Open Access This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with
elevated, suggesting a possible role of complement acti- the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license,
which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-
vation in hydrocephalus development.45 The precise
commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided
relationships among complement activation, macro- the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://
phage action and hydrocephalus after IVH need to be creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
delineated further.
Thrombin REFERENCES
Thrombin is serine protease that acts as part of the 1. Bhattathiri PS, Gregson B, Prasad KS, et al. Intraventricular
hemorrhage and hydrocephalus after spontaneous intracerebral
brinolytic system to induce blood coagulation after hemorrhage: results from the STICH trial. Acta Neurochir Suppl
injury when bleeding is involved. Highly regulated pro- 2006;96:658.
2. Hwang BY, Bruce SS, Appelboom G, et al. Evaluation of
coagulant and anticoagulant zymogens and cofactors intraventricular hemorrhage assessment methods for predicting
control the blood coagulation cascade, which comprises outcome following intracerebral hemorrhage. J Neurosurg
2012;116:18592.
a series of proteolytic reactions. 3. Hemphill JC, Bonovich DC, Besmertis L, et al. The ICH score:
Liu et al46 reported that intraventricular injection of a simple, reliable grading scale for intracerebral hemorrhage. Stroke
thrombin (20 U from bovine plasma) in adult rats 2001;32:8917.
4. Diringer MN, Edwards DF, Zazulia AR. Hydrocephalus: a previously
caused BBB breakdown with reduction of brain micro- unrecognized predictor of poor outcome from supratentorial
vascular endothelial cell and perivascular astrocyte intracerebral hemorrhage. Stroke 1998;29:13527.
5. Stein M, Luecke M, Preuss M, et al. Spontaneous intracerebral
immunoreactivity. Our group established an IVH model hemorrhage with ventricular extension and the grading of obstructive
in adult rats to investigate what role thrombin plays in hydrocephalus: the prediction of outcome of a special life-threatening
the mechanism of IVH-induced hydrocephalus.47 We entity. Neurosurgery 2010;67:124351; discussion 52.
6. Strahle J, Garton HJ, Maher CO, et al. Mechanisms of
found that injection of heparinised blood, in contrast to hydrocephalus after neonatal and adult intraventricular hemorrhage.
non-heparinised blood, resulted in decreased hydro- Transl Stroke Res 2012;3(Suppl 1):2538.
7. Whitelaw A. Intraventricular haemorrhage and posthaemorrhagic
cephalus when the rats were examined by MRI between hydrocephalus: pathogenesis, prevention and future interventions.
1 and 28 days postinjury.47 Intraventricular injection of Semin Neonatol 2001;6:13546.
thrombin alone caused signicant hydrocephalus, ven- 8. Hallevi H, Albright KC, Aronowski J, et al. Intraventricular
hemorrhage: anatomic relationships and clinical implications.
tricular wall damage and periventricular BBB disruption. Neurology 2008;70:84852.
Thrombin-induced hydrocephalus was reduced by 9. Mayfrank L, Kissler J, Raoofi R, et al. Ventricular dilatation in
experimental intraventricular hemorrhage in pigs. Characterization of
co-injection of the protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1) cerebrospinal fluid dynamics and the effects of fibrinolytic treatment.
antagonist SCH79797. Based on these results, we con- Stroke 1997;28:1418.
10. Mayfrank L, Kim Y, Kissler J, et al. Morphological changes following
cluded that mediation of thrombins effect through the experimental intraventricular haemorrhage and intraventricular
PAR-1 pathway is an important contributor to hydro- fibrinolytic treatment with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator.
cephalus development after IVH. Acta Neuropathol 2000;100:5617.
11. Hanley D, Naff N, Harris D. Intraventricular hemorrhage:
presentation and management options. Semin Cerebrovasc Dis
Stroke 2005;5:20916.
CONCLUSION 12. Sarnat HB. Ependymal reactions to injury. A review. J Neuropathol
Exp Neurol 1995;54:115.
Hydrocephalus, a severe complication after IVH, can 13. Li X, Kong H, Wu W, et al. Aquaporin-4 maintains ependymal
independently increase the risk of mortality. The integrity in adult mice. Neuroscience 2009;162:6777.