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Li X, Guo S, Sun Y, Ding J, Chen C, Wu Y, Li P, Sun T, Wang X. GABRG2 mutations in genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus: structure, roles, and molecular genetics. J Transl Med 2024; 22:767. [PMID: 39143639 PMCID: PMC11323400 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05387-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+) is a genetic epilepsy syndrome characterized by a marked hereditary tendency inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. Patients with GEFS+ may develop typical febrile seizures (FS), while generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCSs) with fever commonly occur between 3 months and 6 years of age, which is generally followed by febrile seizure plus (FS+), with or without absence seizures, focal seizures, or GTCSs. GEFS+ exhibits significant genetic heterogeneity, with polymerase chain reaction, exon sequencing, and single nucleotide polymorphism analyses all showing that the occurrence of GEFS+ is mainly related to mutations in the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor gamma 2 subunit (GABRG2) gene. The most common mutations in GABRG2 are separated in large autosomal dominant families, but their pathogenesis remains unclear. The predominant types of GABRG2 mutations include missense (c.983A → T, c.245G → A, p.Met199Val), nonsense (R136*, Q390*, W429*), frameshift (c.1329delC, p.Val462fs*33, p.Pro59fs*12), point (P83S), and splice site (IVS6+2T → G) mutations. All of these mutations types can reduce the function of ion channels on the cell membrane; however, the degree and mechanism underlying these dysfunctions are different and could be linked to the main mechanism of epilepsy. The γ2 subunit plays a special role in receptor trafficking and is closely related to its structural specificity. This review focused on investigating the relationship between GEFS+ and GABRG2 mutation types in recent years, discussing novel aspects deemed to be great significance for clinically accurate diagnosis, anti-epileptic treatment strategies, and new drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxiao Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shengnan Guo
- Department of Rehabilitative Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China
| | - Yangyang Sun
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, The Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750001, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiangwei Ding
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuehui Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China
| | - Peidong Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Sun
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, The Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750001, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xinjun Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China.
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Song L, Xu J, Shi Y, Zhao H, Zhang M, Wang Y, Cui Y, Chai X. An integrated strategy of UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis, network pharmacology, and molecular docking to explore the chemical constituents and mechanism of Zixue Powder against febrile seizures. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23865. [PMID: 38192830 PMCID: PMC10772254 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Febrile seizures (FS) are the most common type of seizures for children. As a commonly used representative cold formula for resuscitation, Zixue Powder (ZP) has shown great efficacy for the treatment of FS in clinic, while its active ingredients and underlying mechanism remain largely unclear. This study aimed to preliminarily elucidate the material basis of ZP and the potential mechanism for the treatment of FS through ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS), network pharmacology, and molecular docking. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was firstly applied to characterize the ingredients in ZP, followed by network pharmacology to explore the potential bioactive ingredients and pathways of ZP against FS. Furthermore, molecular docking technique was employed to verify the binding affinity between the screened active ingredients and targets. As a result, 75 ingredients were identified, containing flavonoids, chromogenic ketones, triterpenes and their saponins, organic acids, etc. Through the current study, we focused on 13 potential active ingredients and 14 key potential anti-FS targets of ZP, such as IL6, STAT3, TNF, and MMP9. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis showed that inflammatory response, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction were the main anti-FS signaling pathways. Licochalcones A and B, 26-deoxycimicifugoside, and hederagenin were screened as the main potential active ingredients by molecular docking. In conclusion, this study provides an effective in-depth investigation of the chemical composition, potential bioactive components, and possible anti-FS mechanism of ZP, which lays the foundation for pharmacodynamic studies and clinical applications of ZP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Song
- National Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Modernization, State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of TCM Chemistry and Analysis, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Jian Xu
- National Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Modernization, State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of TCM Chemistry and Analysis, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Yanqiong Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, Xuhui District Central Hospital, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Hemiao Zhao
- National Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Modernization, State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of TCM Chemistry and Analysis, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Min Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Modernization, State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of TCM Chemistry and Analysis, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Yuefei Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Modernization, State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of TCM Chemistry and Analysis, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Ying Cui
- National Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Modernization, State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of TCM Chemistry and Analysis, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Xin Chai
- National Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Modernization, State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of TCM Chemistry and Analysis, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
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Liang W, Wang J, Sui J, Yun F, Shen Y, Zhou J, Wu Y, Shen D, Zhang Q. Inflammation as a target for the treatment of fever-associated epilepsy in zebrafish larvae. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 116:109802. [PMID: 36738682 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.109802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Inflammation is considered to be involved in epileptogenesis. However, the relationship between fever and inflammation as well as the mechanisms of fever in the occurrence and development of childhood epilepsy need further investigation. Here, we described an in vivo model of hyperthermia-induced seizures in zebrafish larvae with pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) exposure. Hyperthermia increased the susceptibility to seizure and the production of pro-inflammatory factors in PTZ-induced zebrafish larvae. As mutations in GABRG2 have been associated with fever-associated epilepsy, we used a Tg(hGABRG2F343L) zebrafish model expressing mutant human GABRG2(F343L) to further investigate the involvement of inflammation in fever-induced seizures. Our data indicated that hyperthermia also increased the locomotor activity in Tg(hGABRG2F343L) zebrafish larvae. Although the production of pro-inflammatory factors was upregulated by GABRG2 mutation, hyperthermia did not change the production of pro-inflammatory factors significantly. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation was sufficient to increase the locomotor activity in zebrafish larvae, suggesting that inflammation contributed to fever-associated epilepsy. The expression of GABRG2 was increased with PTZ induction, especially at a higher temperature. Moreover, inhibition of inflammation by dexamethasone (DEX) reduced the excitability of zebrafish larvae, especially at a higher temperature. Finally, in vitro experiments proved that LPS stimulation increased the production of IL-1β and IL-6 in GABRG2(F343L) transfected cells. Collectively, our study demonstrated that neuroinflammation was induced in febrile seizures, and the increased expression of IL-1β and IL-6 might be responsible for epileptogenesis. The vicious cycle between fever and inflammation might induce seizure onset, and anti-inflammatory strategies might be a potential treatment for fever-associated epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenpeng Liang
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Center of Tissue Engineering and Nerve Injury Repair, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Center of Tissue Engineering and Nerve Injury Repair, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Jiahui Sui
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Center of Tissue Engineering and Nerve Injury Repair, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Feng Yun
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Center of Tissue Engineering and Nerve Injury Repair, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Yuntian Shen
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Center of Tissue Engineering and Nerve Injury Repair, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Center of Tissue Engineering and Nerve Injury Repair, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Youjia Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Dingding Shen
- Department of Neurology & Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Qi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Center of Tissue Engineering and Nerve Injury Repair, Nantong University, Nantong, China.
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Trifiletti R, Lachman HM, Manusama O, Zheng D, Spalice A, Chiurazzi P, Schornagel A, Serban AM, van Wijck R, Cunningham JL, Swagemakers S, van der Spek PJ. Identification of ultra-rare genetic variants in pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) by exome and whole genome sequencing. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11106. [PMID: 35773312 PMCID: PMC9246359 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15279-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abrupt onset of severe neuropsychiatric symptoms including obsessive-compulsive disorder, tics, anxiety, mood swings, irritability, and restricted eating is described in children with Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). Symptom onset is often temporally associated with infections, suggesting an underlying autoimmune/autoinflammatory etiology, although direct evidence is often lacking. The pathological mechanisms are likely heterogeneous, but we hypothesize convergence on one or more biological pathways. Consequently, we conducted whole exome sequencing (WES) on a U.S. cohort of 386 cases, and whole genome sequencing (WGS) on ten cases from the European Union who were selected because of severe PANS. We focused on identifying potentially deleterious genetic variants that were de novo or ultra-rare (MAF) < 0.001. Candidate mutations were found in 11 genes (PPM1D, SGCE, PLCG2, NLRC4, CACNA1B, SHANK3, CHK2, GRIN2A, RAG1, GABRG2, and SYNGAP1) in 21 cases, which included two or more unrelated subjects with ultra-rare variants in four genes. These genes converge into two broad functional categories. One regulates peripheral immune responses and microglia (PPM1D, CHK2, NLRC4, RAG1, PLCG2). The other is expressed primarily at neuronal synapses (SHANK3, SYNGAP1, GRIN2A, GABRG2, CACNA1B, SGCE). Mutations in these neuronal genes are also described in autism spectrum disorder and myoclonus-dystonia. In fact, 12/21 cases developed PANS superimposed on a preexisting neurodevelopmental disorder. Genes in both categories are also highly expressed in the enteric nervous system and the choroid plexus. Thus, genetic variation in PANS candidate genes may function by disrupting peripheral and central immune functions, neurotransmission, and/or the blood-CSF/brain barriers following stressors such as infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Herbert M Lachman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
| | - Olivia Manusama
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Deyou Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Alberto Spalice
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Neurology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Chiurazzi
- Sezione di Medicina Genomica, Dipartimento Scienze della Vita e Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, UOC Genetica Medica, Rome, Italy
| | - Allan Schornagel
- GGZ-Delfland, Kinderpraktijk Zoetermeer, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands
| | - Andreea M Serban
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Bioinformatics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rogier van Wijck
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Bioinformatics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Janet L Cunningham
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sigrid Swagemakers
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Bioinformatics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter J van der Spek
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Bioinformatics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Alehabib E, Esmaeilizadeh Z, Ranji-Burachaloo S, Tafakhori A, Darvish H, Movafagh A. Clinical and molecular spectrum of P/Q type calcium channel Cav2.1 in epileptic patients. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2021; 16:461. [PMID: 34727962 PMCID: PMC8562004 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-021-02101-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by the potential to induce seizure and accompanied by cognitive, psychological, and social consequences. CACNA1A gene is a voltage-gated P/Q-type Cav2.1 channel that is broadly expressed in the central nervous system, and the pathogenic variants within this gene may be associated with the epileptic phenotype. In the present study, we collected clinical and molecular data related to epileptic patients with CACNA1A pathogenic variants and investigated possible meaningful relationship between age at onset, neurodevelopmental disorders, type of seizures, brain imaging abnormalities, genotype, and protein domains. Results In our retrospective literature studies, from among 890 articles reviewed, a total of 90 individuals were related to epilepsy phenotype. Our findings showed that about 90 percent of patients have shown the first symptoms in childhood and teenage years and different types of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as intellectual disability, developmental arrest, and behavioral disorders, have been common findings for these patients. Further, a wide range of abnormalities have been observed in their brain imaging, and generalized seizures have been the most type of seizures in these patients. However, our data showed no specific genotype–phenotype correlation in epileptic patients with CACNA1A pathogenic alterations. Conclusions Our study focused on epileptic phenotype in patients with CACNA1A pathogenic variants and showed a wide range of clinical and molecular heterogeneity with no specific genotype–phenotype correlation. It seems that incomplete penetrance, de-novo variants, and modifier genes are obstacles in predicting the clinical outcome. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13023-021-02101-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Alehabib
- Student Research Committee, Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Esmaeilizadeh
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sakineh Ranji-Burachaloo
- Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Tafakhori
- Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Darvish
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Movafagh
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Neocortex- and hippocampus-specific deletion of Gabrg2 causes temperature-dependent seizures in mice. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:553. [PMID: 34050134 PMCID: PMC8163876 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-03846-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in the GABRG2 gene encoding the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) A receptor gamma 2 subunit are associated with genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus, febrile seizures plus, febrile seizures, and other symptoms of epilepsy. However, the mechanisms underlying Gabrg2-mediated febrile seizures are poorly understood. Here, we used the Cre/loxP system to generate conditional knockout (CKO) mice with deficient Gabrg2 in the hippocampus and neocortex. Heterozygous CKO mice (Gabrg2fl/wtCre+) exhibited temperature-dependent myoclonic jerks, generalised tonic-clonic seizures, increased anxiety-like symptoms, and a predisposition to induce seizures. Cortical electroencephalography showed the hyperexcitability in response to temperature elevation in Gabrg2fl/wtCre+ mice, but not in wild-type mice. Gabrg2fl/wtCre+ mice exhibited spontaneous seizures and susceptibility to temperature-induced seizures. Loss of neurons were observed in cortical layers V-VI and hippocampus of Gabrg2fl/wtCre+ mice. Furthermore, the latency of temperature- or pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures were significantly decreased in Gabrg2fl/wtCre+ mice compared with wild-type mice. In summary, Gabrg2fl/wtCre+ mice with Gabrg2 deletion in the neocortex and hippocampus reproduce many features of febrile seizures and therefore provide a novel model to further understand this syndrome at the cellular and molecular level.
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Bergersen KV, Barnes A, Worth D, David C, Wilson EH. Targeted Transcriptomic Analysis of C57BL/6 and BALB/c Mice During Progressive Chronic Toxoplasma gondii Infection Reveals Changes in Host and Parasite Gene Expression Relating to Neuropathology and Resolution. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:645778. [PMID: 33816350 PMCID: PMC8012756 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.645778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a resilient parasite that infects a multitude of warm-blooded hosts and results in a lifelong chronic infection requiring continuous responses by the host. Chronic infection is characterized by a balanced immune response and neuropathology that are driven by changes in gene expression. Previous research pertaining to these processes has been conducted in various mouse models, and much knowledge of infection-induced gene expression changes has been acquired through the use of high throughput sequencing techniques in different mouse strains and post-mortem human studies. However, lack of infection time course data poses a prominent missing link in the understanding of chronic infection, and there is still much that is unknown regarding changes in genes specifically relating to neuropathology and resulting repair mechanisms as infection progresses throughout the different stages of chronicity. In this paper, we present a targeted approach to gene expression analysis during T. gondii infection through the use of NanoString nCounter gene expression assays. Wild type C57BL/6 and BALB/c background mice were infected, and transcriptional changes in the brain were evaluated at 14, 28, and 56 days post infection. Results demonstrate a dramatic shift in both previously demonstrated and novel gene expression relating to neuropathology and resolution in C57BL/6 mice. In addition, comparison between BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice demonstrate initial differences in gene expression that evolve over the course of infection and indicate decreased neuropathology and enhanced repair in BALB/c mice. In conclusion, these studies provide a targeted approach to gene expression analysis in the brain during infection and provide elaboration on previously identified transcriptional changes and also offer insights into further understanding the complexities of chronic T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina V Bergersen
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Ashli Barnes
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Danielle Worth
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Clement David
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States.,NanoString Technologies, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Emma H Wilson
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
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Association between GABRG2 rs211037 polymorphism and febrile seizures: a meta-analysis. ACTA EPILEPTOLOGICA 2021. [DOI: 10.1186/s42494-021-00038-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Emerging evidence has implied that the GABRG2 gene play a role in the mechanism of febrile seizure (FS), however, the relationship between GABRG2 rs211037 polymorphism and the risk of FS remains controversial. This meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the relationship of GABRG2 rs211037 polymorphism with the susceptibility to FS.
Methods
MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library and CNKI databases were searched (until April 6, 2019) for eligible studies on the relationship between GABRG2 rs211037 polymorphism and FS. We calculated the odds ratios (ORs) by a fixed or random model with the STATA 15.0 software. Subgroup analyses for the ethnicity, the source of the control, and age and sex matching of controls were conducted.
Results
A total of 8 studies consisting of 775 FS patients and 5162 controls were included in this study. Based on the overall data, he GABRG2 rs211037 polymorphism was not significantly associated with the risk of FS (TT + CT vs CC: OR = 0.95, 95%CI 0.64–1.41, P = 0.80). Notably, the GABRG2 rs211037 variant was significantly associated with decreased risk of FS in Asian populations (TT vs CT + CC: OR = 0.63, 95%CI 0.45–0.88, P = 0.006), but increased risk in Caucasian populations (CT vs CC: OR = 1.56, 95%CI 1.14–2.15, P = 0.006). Significant associations were also detected when healthy controls out of the whole controls were employed for comparison (TT vs CT + CC: OR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.45–0.77, P < 0.001) and when data from studies with age- and sex-matched controls were used (TT + CT vs CC: OR = 0.60, 95% CI 0.43–0.86, P = 0.001).
Conclusion
The GABRG2 rs211037 polymorphism may decrease the risk of FS in Asian populations, while increasing the risk in Caucasian populations. Further well-designed studies with large sample sizes are essential to verify the conclusions in other ethnicities.
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