Chemical synaptic and gap junctional interactions between principal neurons: partners in epileptogenesis

Targeting gap junction in epilepsy: Perspectives and challenges

Gap junctions (GJs) are multiple cellular intercellular connections that allow ions to pass directly into the cytoplasm of neighboring cells. Electrical coupling mediated by GJs plays a role in the generation of highly synchronous electrical activity. Accumulative investigations show that GJs in the brain are involved in the generation, synchronization and maintenance of seizure events. At the same time, GJ blockers exert potent curative potential on epilepsy in vivo or in vitro. This review aims to shed light on the role of GJs in epileptogenesis. Targeting GJs is likely to be served as a novel therapeutic approach on epileptic patients.

Beta-gamma burst stimulations of the inferior olive induce high-frequency oscillations in the deep cerebellar nuclei

The cerebellum displays various sorts of rhythmic activities covering both low- and high-frequency oscillations. These cerebellar high-frequency oscillations were observed in the cerebellar cortex. Here, we hypothesised that not only is the cerebellar cortex a generator of high-frequency oscillations but also that the deep cerebellar nuclei may also play a similar role. Thus, we analysed local field potentials and single-unit activities in the deep cerebellar nuclei before, during and after electric stimulation in the inferior olive of awake mice. A high-frequency oscillation of 350 Hz triggered by the stimulation of the inferior olive, within the beta-gamma range, was observed in the deep cerebellar nuclei. The amplitude and frequency of the oscillation were independent of the frequency of stimulation. This oscillation emerged during the period of stimulation and persisted after the end of the stimulation. The oscillation coincided with the inhibition of deep cerebellar neurons. As the inhibition of the deep cerebellar nuclei is related to inhibitory inputs from Purkinje cells, we speculate that the oscillation represents the unmasking of the synchronous activation of another subtype of deep cerebellar neuronal subtype, devoid of GABA receptors and under the direct control of the climbing fibres from the inferior olive. Still, the mechanism sustaining this oscillation remains to be deciphered. Our study sheds new light on the role of the olivo-cerebellar loop as the final output control of the intercerebellar circuitry.

Hippocampal Expression of Connexin36 and Connexin43 during Epileptogenesis in Pilocarpine Model of Epilepsy

BACKGROUND

Gap junctions (GJs) provide direct intercellular communications that are formed by hexameric protein subunits, called connexin (Cx). The role of Cxs in epileptogenesis has not received sufficient attention. Hippocampus with critical function in epileptogenesis has a wide network of GJs. We examined the protein expression levels of hippocampal Cx36 (the prominent Cx present between GABAergic interneurons) and Cx43 (the main Cx expressed by astrocytes) during epileptogenesis in the pilocarpine model of epilepsy.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats received scopolamine (1 mg/kg, s.c.). Pilocarpine (380 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered 30 min thereafter to induce status epilepticus (SE). SE was stopped 2 h later by diazepam (10 mg/kg, i.p.). Cx36 and Cx43 protein expression was assessed by Western blot analysis in the hippocampus of SE-experienced rats, after injection of diazepam (F0 subgroup), after acquisition of focal seizures (F3 subgroup), and after development of generalized seizures (F5 subgroup). The control subgroups, C0, C3, and C5, were aged-matched rats, which received saline (1 ml/kg, i.p.) instead of pilocarpine. Injection of scopolamine and diazepam, and dissection of hippocampi were carried out at the same time interval as the test subgroups.

RESULTS

SE emerged in 67.1% of pilocarpine-treated animals. Focal and generalized seizures developed 3.8±0.4 and 7.0±0.5 days after SE, respectively. Cx36 protein abundance was not significantly different between test and control groups in the three time points. However, Cx43 protein level showed 40% increase in F3 subgroup (P<0.05 compared to C3, P<0.01 compared to F0 and F5).

CONCLUSION

Hippocampal Cx43 is overexpressed in pilocarpine model of epileptogenesis after acquisition of focal seizures.

Facilitation of Hippocampal Kindling and Exacerbation of Kindled Seizures by Intra-CA1 Injection of Quinine: A Possible Role of Cx36 Gap Junctions

BACKGROUND

GABAergic interneurons in the hippocampal CA1 area are mutually communicated by gap junctions (GJs) composed of connexin36 (Cx36). We examined the role of Cx36 in CA1 in manifestation of kindled seizures and hippocampal kindling in rats.

METHODS

Quinine, as the specific blocker of Cx36, was injected into CA1, and kindled seizures severity was examined 10 min afterward. Moreover, quinine was injected into CA1 once daily, and the rate of CA1 kindling was recorded.

RESULTS

Quinine 0.5 and 1 mM caused 2- and 3.5-fold increase in the duration of total seizure behavior and generalized the seizures. Primary and secondary afterdischarges (AD) were also significantly increased. Quinine 0.1 mM augmented the rate of kindling and the growth of secondary AD.

CONCLUSION

Cx36 GJs in CA1 are the main components of hippocampal inhibitory circuit. Any interruption in this path by pathologic or physical damages can trigger hippocampal hyperexcitability and facilitate epileptogenesis.

Human brain slices for epilepsy research: Pitfalls, solutions and future challenges

Increasingly, neuroscientists are taking the opportunity to use live human tissue obtained from elective neurosurgical procedures for electrophysiological studies in vitro. Access to this valuable resource permits unique studies into the network dynamics that contribute to the generation of pathological electrical activity in the human epileptic brain. Whilst this approach has provided insights into the mechanistic features of electrophysiological patterns associated with human epilepsy, it is not without technical and methodological challenges. This review outlines the main difficulties associated with working with epileptic human brain slices from the point of collection, through the stages of preparation, storage and recording. Moreover, it outlines the limitations, in terms of the nature of epileptic activity that can be observed in such tissue, in particular, the rarity of spontaneous ictal discharges, we discuss manipulations that can be utilised to induce such activity. In addition to discussing conventional electrophysiological techniques that are routinely employed in epileptic human brain slices, we review how imaging and multielectrode array recordings could provide novel insights into the network dynamics of human epileptogenesis. Acute studies in human brain slices are ultimately limited by the lifetime of the tissue so overcoming this issue provides increased opportunity for information gain. We review the literature with respect to organotypic culture techniques that may hold the key to prolonging the viability of this material. A combination of long-term culture techniques, viral transduction approaches and electrophysiology in human brain slices promotes the possibility of large scale monitoring and manipulation of neuronal activity in epileptic microcircuits.

High-frequency oscillations are prominent in the extended amygdala

Previously, it was reported that various cortical and subcortical structures display high-frequency local field potential (LFP) oscillations in the 110- to 160-Hz range (HFOs), distinct from sharp-wave ripples. In the present study, we characterize HFOs in the extended amygdala. Rats were implanted with tetrode bundles in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), central amygdala (CeA), as well as adjacent regions (pallidum, caudate-putamen, and lateral septum). At all recorded sites, HFO power showed a systematic dependence on behavioral state: highest during quiet wakefulness, intermediate during paradoxical sleep, and lowest during active waking or slow-wave sleep. CO2 asphyxiation as well as anesthesia with isoflurane or urethane abolished HFOs. HFOs stood out relative to all other fast-frequency LFP components because they were highly coherent between distant sites of the extended amygdala, ipsi- and contralaterally. HFOs affected neuronal firing in two ways: firing rate could vary as a function of HFO power (rate modulation) or HFOs could entrain firing on a cycle-to-cycle basis (phase modulation). The incidence of phase-modulated neurons was about twice higher in BNST and CeA (20-40%) than in adjacent regions (≤8%). Among BNST and CeA neurons, many more were phase-modulated than rate-modulated, although about half of the latter were also phase-modulated. Overall, these results indicate that HFOs entrain the activity of a high proportion of neurons in the extended amygdala. A major challenge for future studies will be to identify the mechanisms supporting the high coherence of HFOs within and across hemispheres.

An algorithm for on-line detection of high frequency oscillations related to epilepsy

Recent studies suggest that the appearance of signals with high frequency oscillations components in specific regions of the brain is related to the incidence of epilepsy. These oscillations are in general small in amplitude and short in duration, making them difficult to identify. The analysis of these oscillations are particularly important in epilepsy and their study could lead to the development of better medical treatments. Therefore, the development of algorithms for detection of these high frequency oscillations is of great importance. In this work, a new algorithm for automatic detection of high frequency oscillations is presented. This algorithm uses approximate entropy and artificial neural networks to extract features in order to detect and classify high frequency components in electrophysiological signals. In contrast to the existing algorithms, the one proposed here is fast and accurate, and can be implemented on-line, thus reducing the time employed to analyze the experimental electrophysiological signals.

Multiple mechanisms switch an electrically coupled, synaptically inhibited neuron between competing rhythmic oscillators

Rhythmic oscillations are common features of nervous systems. One of the fundamental questions posed by these rhythms is how individual neurons or groups of neurons are recruited into different network oscillations. We modeled competing fast and slow oscillators connected to a hub neuron with electrical and inhibitory synapses. We explore the patterns of coordination shown in the network as a function of the electrical coupling and inhibitory synapse strengths with the help of a novel visualization method that we call the "parameterscape." The hub neuron can be switched between the fast and slow oscillators by multiple network mechanisms, indicating that a given change in network state can be achieved by degenerate cellular mechanisms. These results have importance for interpreting experiments employing optogenetic, genetic, and pharmacological manipulations to understand circuit dynamics.

Blocking of rat hippocampal Cx36 by quinine accelerates kindling epileptogenesis

There are abundant studies indicating that blocking gap junctions (GJs) containing connexin 36 (Cx36) inhibit seizures. However, recent evidences demonstrate proconvulsant effect of such intervention. Electrical coupling between GABAergic interneurons in CA1 region of hippocampus is mediated through Cx36 GJs. We investigated effect of quinine, a specific blocker of Cx36, on the seizure severity and epileptogenesis in amygala kindling model of epilepsy in rats. Quinine (1, 50, 100, 500 and 2000 µM/rat) was injected directly into the CA1 and kindled seizure parameters including behavioral seizure stage, duration of evoked afterdischarges, and duration of generalized seizures behavior were recorded 10 min afterward. Moreover, quinine (1, 30, and 100 µM/rat) was injected intra CA1 once daily during kindling development. At the doses used, quinine had no significant effect on amygdala-kindled seizures. However, quinine 100 µM significantly accelerated kindling rate. Blockade of Cx36 GJs coupling and consequent disruption of inhibitory transmission in GABAergic interneurons in CA1 area seems to be responsible for the antiepileptogenic effect of quinine.

Development of coherent neuronal activity patterns in mammalian cortical networks: common principles and local hetereogeneity

Many mammals are born in a very immature state and develop their rich repertoire of behavioral and cognitive functions postnatally. This development goes in parallel with changes in the anatomical and functional organization of cortical structures which are involved in most complex activities. The emerging spatiotemporal activity patterns in multi-neuronal cortical networks may indeed form a direct neuronal correlate of systemic functions like perception, sensorimotor integration, decision making or memory formation. During recent years, several studies--mostly in rodents--have shed light on the ontogenesis of such highly organized patterns of network activity. While each local network has its own peculiar properties, some general rules can be derived. We therefore review and compare data from the developing hippocampus, neocortex and--as an intermediate region--entorhinal cortex. All cortices seem to follow a characteristic sequence starting with uncorrelated activity in uncoupled single neurons where transient activity seems to have mostly trophic effects. In rodents, before and shortly after birth, cortical networks develop weakly coordinated multineuronal discharges which have been termed synchronous plateau assemblies (SPAs). While these patterns rely mostly on electrical coupling by gap junctions, the subsequent increase in number and maturation of chemical synapses leads to the generation of large-scale coherent discharges. These patterns have been termed giant depolarizing potentials (GDPs) for predominantly GABA-induced events or early network oscillations (ENOs) for mostly glutamatergic bursts, respectively. During the third to fourth postnatal week, cortical areas reach their final activity patterns with distinct network oscillations and highly specific neuronal discharge sequences which support adult behavior. While some of the mechanisms underlying maturation of network activity have been elucidated much work remains to be done in order to fully understand the rules governing transition from immature to mature patterns of network activity.

Electrically coupled excitatory neurones in cortical regions

Gap junctions between inhibitory neurones in cortical regions have been well documented over the years. However, although the presence of electrical coupling between pyramidal cells has been supported by dye-coupling and recordings of fast prepotentials called 'spikelets', direct evidence for such coupling remains sparse. Electrical coupling between pyramids has however been shown to play a significant role in oscillatory network activity, spatial exploration and learning and memory and full characterization of these synapses are overdue. In this review, an overview of the known properties of these electrical synapses is given, focusing on a study in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Electrical Synapses.

Shortest Loops are Pacemakers in Random Networks of Electrically Coupled Axons

High-frequency oscillations (HFOs) are an important part of brain activity in health and disease. However, their origins remain obscure and controversial. One possible mechanism depends on the presence of sparsely distributed gap junctions that electrically couple the axons of principal cells. A plexus of electrically coupled axons is modeled as a random network with bi-directional connections between its nodes. Under certain conditions the network can demonstrate one of two types of oscillatory activity. Type I oscillations (100–200 Hz) are predicted to be caused by spontaneously spiking axons in a network with strong (high conductance) gap junctions. Type II oscillations (200–300 Hz) require no spontaneous spiking and relatively weak (low-conductance) gap junctions, across which spike propagation failures occur. The type II oscillations are reentrant and self-sustained. Here we examine what determines the frequency of type II oscillations. Using simulations we show that the distribution of loop lengths is the key factor for determining frequency in type II network oscillations. We first analyze spike failure between two electrically coupled cells using a model of anatomically reconstructed CA1 pyramidal neuron. Then network oscillations are studied by a cellular automaton model with random network connectivity, in which we control loop statistics. We show that oscillation periods can be predicted from the network’s loop statistics. The shortest loop, around which a spike can travel, is the most likely pacemaker candidate. The principle of one loop as a pacemaker is remarkable, because random networks contain a large number of loops juxtaposed and superimposed, and their number rapidly grows with network size. This principle allows us to predict the frequency of oscillations from network connectivity and visa versa. We finally propose that type I oscillations may correspond to ripples, while type II oscillations correspond to so-called fast ripples.

Effect of chronic intracerebroventricluar administration of lipopolysaccharide on connexin43 protein expression in rat hippocampus

BACKGROUND

Hippocampal damages, which are accompanied by inflammation, are among the main causes of epilepsy acquisition. We previously reported that chronic intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) modulates epileptogenesis in rats. There is a network of gap junction channels in the hippocampus that contribute to epileptogenesis. Gap junction channels are formed by oligomeric protein subunits called connexins (Cx). Astrocytic Cx43 and neuronal Cx36 are expressed in the hippocampus. In order to find out the possible role of gap junctions in seizure-modulating effect of LPS and neuroinflammation, we studied the effect of central administration of LPS on expression of Cx36 and Cx43 in rat hippocampus.

METHODS

LPS, 2.5 mug/rat/day, was injected i.c.v. to male Wistar rats for 14 days. mRNA and protein abundance of Cx36, Cx43 and IL1-β were measured in rat hippocampus by real time-PCR, Western blot and ELISA techniques, at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of the treatment period.

RESULTS

IL1-β protein level was significantly increased 6 h after first injection of LPS. Cx36 and Cx43 mRNA expression did not alter during chronic administration of LPS. A selective decrease in Cx43 protein expression was observed after 7 injections of LPS.

CONCLUSION

It is suggested that Cx43 containing gap junctions in the hippocampus is down-regulated in response to chronic injection of LPS. This event can inhibit propagation of toxic and noxious molecules to neighboring cells and modulate hippocampal excitability and epileptogenesis.