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Li D, Wang Y, Guo Y, Wang W. Bioinformatics analysis reveals multiple functional changes in astrocytes in temporal lobe epilepsy. Brain Res 2024; 1831:148820. [PMID: 38417653 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2024.148820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a prevalent chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures and brain dysfunction. Existing antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) mainly act on neurons and provide symptomatic control of seizures, but they do not modify the progression of epilepsy and may cause serious adverse effects. Increasing evidence suggests that reactive astrogliosis is critical in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. However, the function of reactive astrocytes in epilepsy has not been thoroughly explored. To provide a new perspective on the role of reactive astrocytes in epileptogenesis, we identified human astrocyte-specific genes and found 131 of these genes significantly differentially expressed in human temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) datasets. Multiple astrocytic functions, such as cell adhesion, cell morphogenesis, actin filament-based process, apoptotic cell clearance and response to oxidative stress, were found to be promoted. Moreover, multiple altered astrocyte-specific genes were enriched in phagocytosis, perisynaptic astrocyte processes (PAPs), plasticity, and synaptic functions. Nine hub genes (ERBB2, GFAP, NOTCH2, ITGAV, ABCA1, AQP4, LRP1, GJA1, and YAP1) were identified by protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. The correlation between the expression of these hub genes and seizure frequency, as well as epilepsy-related factors, including inflammatory mediators, complement factors, glutamate excitotoxicity and astrocyte reactivity, were analyzed. Additionally, upstream transcription factors of the hub genes were predicted. Finally, astrogliosis and the expression of the hub genes were validated in an epileptic rat model. Our findings reveal the various changes in astrocyte function associated with epilepsy and provide candidate astrocyte-specific genes that could be potential antiepileptogenic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongxiao Li
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 215 Heping West Road, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, China; Neurological Laboratory of Hebei Province, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 215 Heping West Road, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, China
| | - Yufeng Wang
- Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Yansu Guo
- Beijing Geriatric Healthcare Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Municipal Geriatric Medical Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Weiping Wang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 215 Heping West Road, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, China; Neurological Laboratory of Hebei Province, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 215 Heping West Road, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, China.
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Zhai Y, Cheng Y, Yuan Y, Meng X, Li Y, Wang Y, Ren T, Li S, Sun H. Increased thrombospondin-1 levels contribute to epileptic susceptibility in neonatal hyperthermia without seizures via altered synaptogenesis. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:73. [PMID: 38346981 PMCID: PMC10861539 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01837-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Childhood febrile seizures (FS) represent one of the most common types of seizures and may lead to severe neurological damage and an increased risk of epilepsy. However, most children with fevers do not show clinical manifestations of convulsions, and the consequences of hyperthermia without seizures remain elusive. This study focused on hyperthermia not reaching the individual's seizure threshold (sub-FS stimulus). Changes in thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) levels, synapses, seizure susceptibility, and seizure severity in subsequent FS were investigated in rats exposed to sub-FS stimuli. Pharmacological and genetic interventions were used to explore the role of TSP-1 in sub-FS-induced effects. We found that after sub-FS stimuli, the levels of TSP-1 and synapses, especially excitatory synapses, were concomitantly increased, with increased epilepsy and FS susceptibility. Moreover, more severe neuronal damage was found in subsequent FS. These changes were temperature dependent. Reducing TSP-1 levels by genetic intervention or inhibiting the activation of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) by Leu-Ser-Lys-Leu (LSKL) led to lower synapse/excitatory synapse levels, decreased epileptic susceptibility, and attenuated neuronal injury after FS stimuli. Our study confirmed that even without seizures, hyperthermia may promote synaptogenesis, increase epileptic and FS susceptibility, and lead to more severe neuronal damage by subsequent FS. Inhibition of the TSP-1/TGF-β1 pathway may be a new therapeutic target to prevent detrimental sub-FS sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Zhai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, China
| | - Yao Cheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, China
| | - Yi Yuan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, China
| | - Xianfeng Meng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, China
| | - Yang Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, China
| | - Yan Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, China
| | - Tianpu Ren
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, China
| | - Shucui Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, China.
| | - Hongliu Sun
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, China.
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Sadrtdinova II, Khizmatullina ZR. [Reactive changes in morphological and morphometric parameters of immunopositive astrocytes of the amygdala in response to hormone level in absence epilepsy]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2019; 118:61-66. [PMID: 30698546 DOI: 10.17116/jnevro201811810261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
AIM To study the changes in the morphological and morphometric parameters of immunopositive astrocytes of the amygdala in absence epilepsy depending on hormonal profile. MATERIAL AND METHODS Adult female WAG/Rij rats were used as experimental subjects. The astrocytes were detected on serial sections using a reaction to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) with pre-stained hematoxylin. Quantitative analysis was carried out for a 204.8´153.6 μm2 field of view. RESULTS In the control group, astrocytes had a relatively regular stellate form and GFAP was moderately expressed in their bodies and processes. The number of astrocytes was 18.20±2.87, and their area was 164±3.29 μm2. After ovariectomy, a high expression of the protein, both in the bodies and in the processes of astrocytes, increasing the cell size to 188.85±4.97 μm2 (p<0.05) was observed. The astrocytes increased to 34.55±3.03 (p<0.05). In addition, the deformation of the processes and their diffuse defibration were observed. After hormone replacement therapy, a decrease in GFAP expression was detected, the area of astrocytes became smaller in comparison with the group after ovariectomy: 173.54±5.48 μm2 (p<0.05). Morphological changes in glial cells were manifested as a decrease in the size of their bodies, the processes became smooth without diffuse sprouting and swelling, which is probably associated with neuroprotective functions of estradiol. CONCLUSION Thus, the results of our study demonstrated that the deficiency of female sex hormones led to the increase in both the amount and area of astrocytes in the anterior cortical nucleus of the amygdala, and hormone replacement therapy positively affected the structural and quantitative characteristics of astrocytes due to the endogenous protective role of estradiol.
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Ugbode CI, Smith I, Whalley BJ, Hirst WD, Rattray M. Sonic hedgehog signalling mediates astrocyte crosstalk with neurons to confer neuroprotection. J Neurochem 2017; 142:429-443. [PMID: 28485896 PMCID: PMC5575469 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Revised: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Sonic hedgehog (SHH) is a glycoprotein associated with development that is also expressed in the adult CNS and released after brain injury. Since the SHH receptors patched homolog‐1 and Smoothened are highly expressed on astrocytes, we hypothesized that SHH regulates astrocyte function. Primary mouse cortical astrocytes derived from embryonic Swiss mouse cortices, were treated with two chemically distinct agonists of the SHH pathway, which caused astrocytes to elongate and proliferate. These changes are accompanied by decreases in the major astrocyte glutamate transporter‐1 and the astrocyte intermediate filament protein glial fibrillary acidic protein. Multisite electrophysiological recordings revealed that the SHH agonist, smoothened agonist suppressed neuronal firing in astrocyte‐neuron co‐cultures and this was abolished by the astrocyte metabolic inhibitor ethylfluoroacetate, revealing that SHH stimulation of metabolically active astrocytes influences neuronal firing. Using three‐dimensional co‐culture, MAP2 western blotting and immunohistochemistry, we show that SHH‐stimulated astrocytes protect neurons from kainate‐induced cell death. Altogether the results show that SHH regulation of astrocyte function represents an endogenous neuroprotective mechanism. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher I Ugbode
- School of Pharmacy, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK.,School of Chemistry, Food & Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading, UK.,Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, UK
| | - Imogen Smith
- School of Chemistry, Food & Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading, UK.,Portsmouth Brain Tumour Research Centre, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
| | - Benjamin J Whalley
- School of Chemistry, Food & Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - Warren D Hirst
- Neurodegeneration and Neurologic Diseases, Pfizer Neuroscience Research Unit, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marcus Rattray
- School of Pharmacy, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK
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Phase-Dependent Astroglial Alterations in Li-Pilocarpine-Induced Status Epilepticus in Young Rats. Neurochem Res 2017; 42:2730-2742. [PMID: 28444637 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-017-2276-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy prevalence is high in infancy and in the elderly population. Lithium-pilocarpine is widely used to induce experimental animal models of epilepsy, leading to similar neurochemical and morphological alterations to those observed in temporal lobe epilepsy. As astrocytes have been implicated in epileptic disorders, we hypothesized that specific astroglial changes accompany and contribute to epileptogenesis. Herein, we evaluated time-dependent astroglial alterations in the hippocampus of young (27-day-old) rats at 1, 14 and 56 days after Li-pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE), corresponding to different phases in this model of epilepsy. We determined specific markers of astroglial activation: GFAP, S100B, glutamine synthetase (GS), glutathione (GSH) content, aquaporin-4 (AQP-4) and potassium channel Kir 4.1; as well as epileptic behavioral, inflammatory and neurodegenerative changes. Phase-dependent signs of hippocampal astrogliosis were observed, as demonstrated by increments in GFAP, S100B and GS. Astrocyte dysfunction in the hippocampus was characterized, based on the decrease in GSH content, AQP-4 and Kir 4.1 channels. Degenerating neurons were identified by Fluoro-Jade C staining. We found a clear, early (at SE1) and persistent (at SE56) increase in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) S100B levels. Additionally, serum S100B was found to decrease soon after SE induction, implicating a rapid-onset increase in the CSF/serum S100B ratio. However, serum S100B increased at SE14, possibly reflecting astroglial activation and/or long-term increase in cerebrovascular permeability. Moreover, we suggest that peripheral S100B levels may represent a useful marker for SE in young rats and for follow up during the chronic phases of this model of epilepsy. Together, results reinforce and extend the idea of astroglial involvement in epileptic disorders.
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A sub-threshold dose of pilocarpine increases glutamine synthetase in reactive astrocytes and enhances the progression of amygdaloid-kindling epilepsy in rats. Neuroreport 2016; 27:213-9. [DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000000511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Jiang Z, Guo M, Shi C, Wang H, Yao L, Liu L, Xie C, Pu S, LaChaud G, Shen J, Zhu M, Mu L, Ge H, Long Y, Wang X, Song Y, Sun J, Hou X, Zarringhalam A, Park SH, Shi C, Shen H, Lin Z. Protection against cognitive impairment and modification of epileptogenesis with curcumin in a post-status epilepticus model of temporal lobe epilepsy. Neuroscience 2015; 310:362-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.09.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2015] [Revised: 09/20/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Electroacupuncture at ST36-ST37 and at ear ameliorates hippocampal mossy fiber sprouting in kainic acid-induced epileptic seizure rats. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:756019. [PMID: 25045697 PMCID: PMC4090572 DOI: 10.1155/2014/756019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2014] [Revised: 05/10/2014] [Accepted: 05/29/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Our previous study showed that mossy fiber sprouting can occur in the hippocampus region in rats 6 wk after kainic acid-induced epileptic seizure, and this mossy fiber sprouting can facilitate epileptogenesis. Transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (VNS), which is similar to cervical VNS, can reduce the occurrence of epileptic seizure in intractable epilepsy patients. Greater parasympathetic nerve activity can be caused by 2 Hz electroacupuncture (EA). Therefore, we investigated the effect of 2 Hz EA at ST-36-ST37 and at the ear on mossy fiber sprouting in kainic-treated Sprague-Dawley rats. The results indicated that applying 2 Hz EA at ST36-ST37 and at the ear for 3 d per week over 6 consecutive weeks can ameliorate mossy fiber sprouting in the hippocampus region of rats. These results indicated that applying 2 Hz EA at ST36-ST37 and at the ear might be beneficial for the treatment and prevention of epilepsy in humans.
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