下丘脑内基因转染对大鼠癫痫行为的影响

目的探讨下丘脑过度兴奋对于颞叶癫痫行为学变化的影响，从而进一步阐明下丘脑与颢叶癫痫的关系以及谷氨酸受体2亚基Q型(glutamate receptor 2Q，GluR2Q)在癫痫发病中的作用机制。方法20只Wistar大鼠随机分为海人酸(kainic acid or kainite，KA)组(KA对照组)与KA GluR2Q组，分别观察两组大鼠的癫痫行为。结果KA对照组大鼠癫痫发作程度较轻，主要以部分性发作为主且发作次数少，持续时间短，较少出现全面性发作。KA GluR2Q组大鼠癫痫发作程度剧烈，部分性癫痫发作较KA对照组更早、更频繁且由部分性发作转化为全面性发作的比率高于KA对照组。结论通过HVJ-脂质体基因转染技术将GluR2Q基因转染到下丘脑乳头体可以提高其兴奋性，并使该兴奋性冲动通过下丘脑与海马之间的联络纤维传导至海马齿状回及CA3、CA1区，使海马区原有的兴奋性加强，表现为癫痫行为的加重，从而促进了癫痫的发展及传播。     

GluR2Q在下丘脑乳头体上核内过度表达对于大鼠颞叶癫痫脑电的影响

目的 探讨下丘脑乳头体内兴奋性刺激对于颞叶癫痫脑电变化的影响。方法 利用HVJ－脂质体转染法在下丘脑乳头体内转染兴奋性氨基酸受体亚基GluR2Q，研究其对于海人酸（kainic acid,KA)诱发的癫痫模型脑电变化的影响。结果 GluR1Q基因转染组大鼠癫痫连续性放电的开始时间明显早于KA对照组，且持续时间较KA对照组明显延长。结论 下丘脑内GluR2Q基因转染能提高其兴奋性，并促进癫痫波在海马内的传播。     

海人酸损伤后海马神经干细胞的异常分布及骨形成蛋白4的表达

目的探讨海人酸(kainic acid,KA)侧脑室注射致大鼠海马损伤后,大鼠海马的异位神经干细胞分布特点及骨形成蛋白4(bone morphogenetic proteins-4,BMP4)的表达。方法侧脑室注射KA3d￣2周后,免疫组化检测海马神经元的丢失情况(NeuN染色)和海马齿状回Nestin阳性细胞的分布情况,原位杂交检测同期BMP4-mRNA阳性细胞的分布。结果KA注射后1周,注射侧海马CA3、CA4区神经元丢失明显且在整个实验观察阶段均存在。KA注射2周后,在海马齿回门区出现大量异常分布的Nestin阳性细胞,这些细胞成团分布,同期可观察到BMP4-mRNA阳性细胞在该部位有较多分布。KA注射4周后,海马齿回门区Nestin阳性细胞数量增多,突起延长且突起数量增多。结论KA侧脑室注射致大鼠海马损伤后,海马齿状回颗粒细胞异常增殖和迁移,主要分布在海马齿回门区,可能与BMP4在该区的过表达有关。     

Noggin参与海人酸损伤后成年大鼠海马颗粒下区颗粒细胞增殖

目的 探讨侧脑室注射海人酸(KA)致大鼠海马损伤后Noggin的表达变化及其与颗粒细胞增殖的关系.方法 健康雄性SD大鼠32只采用随机数字表法分为实验组(16只)及对照组(16只).对照组又分为生理盐水对照组和空白对照组,各8只.实验组大鼠侧脑室注射KA,生理盐水对照组注射等剂量生理盐水.空白对照组不作处理.侧脑室注射KA 1周内,尼氏染色检测海马神经元的丢失.免疫荧光染色与原位杂交的方法检测海马齿状回BrdU标记细胞与Noggin mRNA阳性细胞的变化.结果 在侧脑室注射KA致海马损伤后1周,海马CA3、CA4区神经元丢失明显.与生理盐水对照组比较,实验组海马齿状回BrdU阳性细胞升高,差异有统计学意义(P=0.006),其中注射侧较对侧更为明显.海马Noggin mRNA阳性细胞在第3天时升高,第7天时下降.结论 侧脑室注射KA致海马损伤后.成年大鼠海马齿状回颗粒细胞异常增殖可能与Noggin表达波动有关.     

GABA受体基因转染对癫痫大鼠海马区病理变化的影响

目的探讨在下丘脑乳头体上核内转染γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)受体基因后对海人藻酸(KA)致痫大鼠海马病理变化的影响,从而为难治性癫痫的治疗开辟新的途径。方法在右侧杏仁核内注射KA制备癫痫动物模型作对照,GABA基因转染组则利用仙台病毒(HVJ)-脂质体转染法预先在下丘脑的乳头体上核内转染被脂质体包被的GABA受体基因,48h后在杏仁核内注射KA,两组大鼠分别进行HE染色观察。结果 GABA基因转染组大鼠海马区病理改变较KA对照组明显减轻。结论下丘脑内转染GABA受体基因后可以抑制癫痫发作的程度。     

红藻氨酸诱导癫痫发作大鼠海马EphA5受体及其配体ephrinA3基因表达变化的研究

目的研究在红藻氨酸(Kainic acid,KA)诱导的损伤型颞叶癫痫(Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy,MTLE)的大鼠海马中,轴突导向因子EphA5受体及其配体ephrinA3基因表达的变化,探讨EphA5/ephrinA3与癫痫后海马兴奋性神经网络形成的作用和关系。方法侧脑室内微量注射KA,建立KA诱导的成年大鼠MTLE模型,用原位杂交法检测癫痫发作1d、1周、2周、3周、4周大鼠海马内EphA5/ephrinA3 mRNA的表达,定量分析表达的动态变化。结果EphA5/ephrinA3 mRNA于癫痫发作后1周,在海马齿状回颗粒细胞层和CA_3区锥体细胞层开始增强,2周达到高峰,4周恢复接近对照组水平。结论在KA所致的癫痫持续状态(Status epilepsy,SE)中,海马神经元通过增强EphA5/ephrinA3 mRNA的表达。调控MTLE大鼠海马内苔藓纤维和突触的重建,是癫痫后海马新的稳定的异常兴奋性神经网络形成的可能机制。     

神经干细胞移植于慢性癫痫鼠海马CA3区对其癫痫发作影响的研究

目的 研究神经干细胞(neural stem cells,NSCs)移植到慢性海人酸(kainic acid,KA)癫痫鼠海马CA3区后对大鼠癫痫发作的影响.方法 用KA脑审注射制作慢性癫痫模型.将原代培养的、EGFP标记的NSCs移植到慢件癫痫鼠的海马CA3区.分别在移植后第2周、第4周、第8周和第12周连续进行7天观察大鼠癫痫发作频率和程度,在移植后第10周进行发作间期右侧海屿深部脑电监测.然后取脑冰冻切片,在倒置荧光显微镜下直接观察移植细胞的存活和迁移,用免疫荧光染色观察移植细胞分化情况,Timm's染色观察海马齿状回异常苔状纤维发芽.结果 移植后12周仍有大量移植细胞存活(65,045.00±881.72).NSCs在移植区以胶质细胞分化为主,在齿状回和海马各区以神经元分化为主,γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)能神经元在齿状回门区和海马CA3区分化比率较高.NSCs移植后第4周移植组癫痫鼠的发作次数与对照组相比开始减少,Timm's染色计分和发作程度也有明显改善,两组发作问期脑电图尖、棘波在每个观察期的发放次数分别是3.83±4.96和27.16±21.08,,结论 将NSCs移植到慢性KA癫痫鼠的海马CA3区,移植细胞不仪能够长期存活、迁移到海马齿状回的各区,而且能够分化为神经元和神经胶质细胞,特别是GABA能神经元,同时还能够抑制齿状回颗粒细胞的苔状纤维发芽,从而减少癫痫发作次数,减轻癫痫发作程度.     

红藻氨酸致癫痫持续状态大鼠海马neuropilin-2 mRNA及其蛋白表达的研究

目的研究轴索导向分子NPN-2mRNA及其蛋白对癫痫持续状态(SE)后大鼠海马内神经纤维外向性生长和突触重建中的调控作用。方法采用侧脑室内注射红藻氨酸(KA)制作TLE大鼠模型,用Nissl染色、原位杂交和免疫组织化学的方法,分别检测致SE后1d、1w、2w、3w、4w大鼠海马齿状回(DG)、CA1区、CA3区、门区神经元丢失程度以及NPN-2mRNA及其蛋白的表达。结果 KA致SE后1d开始出现神经元丢失,至4w神经元丢失明显增多。KA致SE后1d,NPN-2mRNA及其蛋白在DG和CA1区表达明显下降,持续至3w(P0.01),4w恢复至正常(P0.05);NPN-2mRNA及其蛋白在门区、CA3区表达实验组与对照组无明显差别(P0.05)。结论 KA致SE后,海马DG及CA1区神经元下调NPN-2mRNA及其蛋白的表达,促进DG及CA1区神经纤维外向性生长和突触的重建。     

大鼠海马干细胞移植治疗颞叶癫痫的初步研究

目的 通过神经干细胞移植至癫痫鼠后与宿主细胞的整合及其对损伤宿主的修复作用，为神经干细胞移植治疗癫痫提供理论依据。方法 分离、培养新生鼠海马干细胞，移植至海人酸(KA)所致癫痫模型鼠的右侧海马内，应用Timm、Nissl、HE染色及动态脑电记录仪记录脑电图。在光镜及电镜下比较正常对照组、移植组及KA未移植组大鼠，在移植后的1周、4周、8周及24周苔状纤维发芽(MSF)、海马CA3区锥体神经元损伤情况及海马、杏仁核的脑电变化。结果 海马干细胞的移植可以显著抑制KA引起的MFS，其抑制作用从移植后第4周开始，第8周时最强，持续至第24周；同时亦明显的减轻了KA所致的CA3区锥体细胞缺失，其作用在第8周最强；KA所致CA3区锥体神经元超微结构的损伤亦得到一定程度的修复；但是，干细胞的移植并未使宿主恢复到损伤前的水平，海马干细胞移植可减少癫痫动物脑电的痫性发放，并降低其癫痫波的波幅约50％。结论 神经干细胞移植对于KA诱发癫痫鼠具有显著的修复作用，其具体作用机制还有待于进一步的研究。     

美解眠急、慢性致癫痫大鼠海马和大脑皮质糖皮质激素受体变化的研究

目的　观察癫痫大鼠大脑皮质、海马糖皮质激素受体 (GR)的改变 ,阐明 GR在癫痫发生发展中的作用。方法　采用美解眠皮下注射方式建立大鼠癫痫模型。应用免疫组织化学 ABC法测定 60只 SD雄性大鼠大脑皮质及海马齿状回 GR阳性细胞数目的变化。结果　急性致癫痫组大鼠大脑皮质、海马齿状回 GR阳性细胞数显著低于对照组 (P <0 .0 0 1 ) ;慢性致癫痫组大鼠大脑皮质、海马齿状回 GR阳性细胞数显著高于对照组 (P <0 .0 1 )和急性致癫痫组 (P<0 .0 0 1 )。结论　大脑皮质和海马 GR水平的变化可能与癫痫发病有关。     

GluR2(B) knockdown accelerates CA3 injury after kainate seizures

Ca2+ currents are thought to enhance glutamate excitotoxicity. To investigate whether reduced expression of the Ca2+ limiting GluR2(B) subunit enhances seizure-induced vulnerability to either CA1 or CA3 neurons, we delivered GluR2(B) oligodeoxynucleotides (AS-ODNs) to the dorsal hippocampus of adult rats before inducing kainate (KA) seizures. After knockdown, no changes in behavior, electrographic activity, or histology were observed. In contrast, GluR2(B) knockdown and KA-induced status epilepticus produced accelerated histological injury to the ipsilateral CA3a-b and hilar subregions. At 8 to 12 h, the CA3a was preferentially labeled by both silver and TUNEL methods. TUNEL staining revealed 2 types of nuclei. They were round with uniform label, features of necrosis, or had DNA clumping or speckled chromatin deposits within surrounding cytosol, features of apoptosis. At 16 to 24 h, many CA3a-c neurons were shrunken, eosinophilic, argyrophilic, or completely absent. Immunohistochemistry revealed marked decreases in GluR2(B) subunits throughout the hippocampus, NR1 immunoreactivity was also reduced but to a lesser extent. In contrast, GluR1 and NR2A/B immunohistochemistry was relatively uniform except in regions of cell loss or within close proximity to the CA1 infusion site. At 144 h, the CA3 was still preferentially injured although bilateral CA1 injury was also observed in some AS-ODN-, S-ODN-, and KA-only-treated animals. Glutamate receptor antibodies revealed generalized decreases in the CA3 with all probes tested at this delayed time. In contrast, GluR2(B) expression was increased within CA1 irregularly shaped, injured neurons. Therefore, hippocampal deprivation of GluR2(B) subunits is insufficient to induce cell death in mature animals but may accelerate the already known CA3/hilar lesion, possibly by triggering apoptosis within CA3 neurons. CA1 and DG survive the first week despite their loss of GluR2(B) subunits, suggesting that other intrinsic properties such as increased Na+ conductance and reduced ability of the GluR2(B) subunit to interact with certain cytoplasmic proteins may be responsible for the augmented cell death rather than changes in AMPA receptor-mediated Ca2+ permeability. Alternatively, changes in allosteric interactions that affect other receptor classes of high density at the mossy fiber synapse (e.g. KA receptors) may augment KA neurotoxicity. Latent GluR2(B) increases in CA1 injured neurons support a role for AMPA receptor subunit alterations in seizure-induced tolerance.     

Seizure-related changes in the glutamate R2 and R5 receptor genes expression in the rat hippocampal formation

Summary The expression of mRNA coding for AMPA selective glutamate (Glu) R2 receptor and kainate selective GluR5 receptor was studied in the rat hippocampal formation in two animal models of limbic seizures evoked by systemic administration of pilocarpine (400 mg/kg ip) or kainate (15 mg/kg ip). As shown by an in situ hybridization study, pilocarpine decreased the GluR2 flip mRNA level in CA1 and CA3 areas of the hippocampus after 3h and kainate after 24 h, e.g. at the time preceding neuronal degeneration. No changes in the GluR2 flop or GluR5 mRNA level were found in those regions. In the dentate gyrus, resistant to neurodegeneration, pilocarpine and kainate differentialy affected the expression of GluR2 and GluR5 mRNAs. After 72 h pilocarpine, but not kainate, increased the GluR2 flop mRNA level and decreased the flip one, which suggests attenuation of the GluR2 sensitivity. On the other hand, kainate, elevated the GluR2 flip and GluR5 mRNA level in the dentate gyrus after 72 h. All in all the above data suggest that changes in the GluR2 gene expression may play some role in the neuronal damage to vulnerable areas (CA1, CA3). However, differences in the kainate- and pilocarpine-induced changes in the dentate gyrus at the late time points indicate that alterations in the stoichiometry of GluR2 forms or GluR5 gene expression in this brain region are not a common causal factor responsible for delayed neuronal hyperexcitability.     

Hippocampal AMPA and NMDA mRNA levels correlate with aberrant fascia dentata mossy fiber sprouting in the pilocarpine model of spontaneous limbic epilepsy

There is considerable controversy whether aberrant fascia dentata (FD) mossy fiber sprouting is an epiphenomena related to neuronal loss or a pathologic abnormality responsible for spontaneous limbic seizures. If mossy fiber sprouting contributes to seizures, then reorganized axon circuits should alter postsynaptic glutamate receptor properties. In the pilocarpine-status rat model, this study determined if changes in alpha amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate (AMPA) and n-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor subunit mRNA levels correlated with mossy fiber sprouting. Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with pilocarpine (320 mg/kg; i.p.) and maintained in status epilepticus for 6 to 8 hours (pilocarpine-status). Rats were killed during the: (1) latent phase after neuronal loss but before spontaneous limbic seizures (day 11 poststatus; n = 7); (2) early seizure phase after their first seizures (day 25; n = 7); and (3) chronic seizure phase after many seizures (day 85; n = 9). Hippocampi were studied for neuron counts, inner molecular layer (IML) neo-Timm's staining, and GluR1–3 and NMDAR1–2b mRNA levels. Compared with controls, pilocarpine-status rats in the: (1) latent phase showed increased FD GluR3, NMDAR1, and NMDAR2b; greater CA4 and CA1 NMDAR1; and decreased subiculum GluR1 hybridization densities; (2) early seizure phase showed increased FD GluR3, increased CA1 NMDAR1, and decreased subiculum NMDAR2b densities; and (3) chronic seizure phase showed increased FD GluR2; increased FD and CA4 GluR3; decreased CA1 GluR2; and decreased subiculum GluR1, GluR2, NMDAR1, and NMDAR2b levels. In multivariate analyses, greater IML neo-Timm's staining: (1) positively correlated with FD GluR3 and NMDAR1 and (2) negatively correlated with CA1 and subiculum GluR1 and GluR2 mRNA levels. These results indicate that: (1) hippocampal AMPA and NMDA receptor subunit mRNA levels changed as rats progressed from the latent to chronic seizure phase and (2) certain subunit alterations correlated with mossy fiber sprouting. Our findings support the hypothesis that aberrant axon circuitry alters postsynaptic hippocampal glutamate receptor subunit stoichiometry; this may contribute to limbic epileptogenesis. J. Neurosci. Res. 54:734–753, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

The expression of Fos following kainic acid-induced seizures is age-dependent

The expression of limbic seizures following kainic acid (KA) administration starts at approximately postnatal day (P) 19 in rats. In this study we investigated whether the expression of Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos-IR) in limbic regions occurs concomitantly with the behavioural expression of limbic seizures. Immunohistochemistry for c-Fos protein was examined 1, 2, 4, 12 and 24 h following seizure onset (KA-treated rats) or saline injections (controls) in immature and adult rats at P7, P13, P20 and P60. The expression of Fos-IR in limbic structures following KA-induced seizures is age-dependent. There is a strong and selective induction of Fos-IR in the CA3 region of the hippocampus following KA-induced seizures in rats at P7. However, the expression of Fos-IR in KA-treated rats at P13, P20 and P60 involved other hippocampal structures in addition to CA3. Abundant induction of Fos-IR was found in the CA1, CA3 and dentate gyrus (DG) in KA-treated rats at P13, P20 and P60. While immature rats at P7 and P13 showed very few or no Fos-IR neurons in most amygdala nuclei, rat pups at P20 showed strong induction of Fos-IR in the amygdala. Our results demonstrated that the induction of Fos-IR in most amygdala nuclei and the full expression of behavioural limbic seizures occur at the same developmental age, which is consistent with the idea that the amygdala may play a role in the modulation of limbic seizures.     

Hippocampal gene expression in the pig: upregulation of corticotrophin releasing hormone mRNA following central administration of the peptide

Corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) and glucocorticoids affect hypophysiotrophic regions of the brain and influence limbic system activity. Since the latter mediates emotional responses, changes in gene expression in regions such as the hippocampus may provide new information on neural stress mechanisms. In this study, mRNA for CRH and selected ionotropic glutamate receptor (iGluR) subunits (NR1, GluR2, GluR3) was quantified in the hippocampus of pigs in which stress was simulated by central administration of CRH (100 microg). Increases in hippocampal CRH mRNA were detected in the CA3 subfield 4 h later, and in the CA1, CA2 and CA3 subfields 24 h post-treatment. However, there were no associated changes in iGluR subunit mRNAs, although the ratio GluR3: GluR2 increased in the dentate gyrus after 4 h. These results, together with a recent similar finding in rats subjected to restraint, point to an involvement of hippocampal CRH in the neuronal response to stress.     

Mapping of the progressive metabolic changes occurring during the development of hippocampal sclerosis in a model of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy

We have recently characterized the histopathological changes in an experimental model of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) induced by the intrahippocampal injection of low dose of kainate in mice. Although cerebral metabolism and blood flow are extensively studied and used in human MTLE to locate the regions involved in seizures before surgery, this exploration is only performed once the disease has fully developed. Therefore, in the present study, we followed the temporal evolution of intrahippocampal kainate-induced metabolic changes in mice from kainate injection to 120 days later by the quantitative autoradiographic [14C]2-deoxyglucose (2DG) technique. At day 0 (late phase of status epilepticus (SE)) and 15 days after kainate, i.e., during the period of ongoing neuropathological changes, glucose utilization was decreased bilaterally in all parts of the cerebral cortex, and ipsilaterally in the thalamus. In the hippocampus, CA1 metabolic activity was depressed at day 0 and increased at day 15 while CA3 glucose utilization was increased at both day 0 and 15. By day 30, there were almost no pyramidal cells left in the two hippocampal regions. At day 120, ipsilateral decreases persisted in the entorhinal cortex, anterior and ventromedian thalamus, and metabolic increases were recorded bilaterally in the central amygdala, anterior hypothalamus and mamillary body. At all times after kainate, a normo-, hypo- or hypermetabolic level was recorded in the dentate gyrus. The present study shows that the process of hippocampal sclerosis involves bilateral cortical reactivity and the participation of some limbic forebrain and motor structures. When hippocampal sclerosis has fully developed, hypometabolism is limited to regions directly connected to the damaged hippocampus and most likely involved in the new hyperexcitable circuit of limbic seizures.     

The hippocampus in experimental chronic epilepsy: a morphometric analysis

The effect of intermittent seizures on the pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus is largely unknown. To determine whether recurrent seizures centered in the hippocampus can produce neuronal loss in this region, a morphometric analysis was performed from standardized sections of hippocampus using 5 groups of animals: (1) surgical control subjects, (2) rats kindled by the rapidly recurring hippocampal seizure (RRHS) paradigm, (3) kindled rats with a few additional limbic seizures (528 +/- 66 seizures), (4) kindled rats with many limbic seizures (1,523 +/- 130 seizures), and (5) rats experiencing limbic status epilepticus (SE) induced by "continuous" hippocampal stimulation. The RRHS and SE protocols induced significant neuronal loss in the CA1 region, but no evidence was found for additional cell loss with increasing numbers of intermittent seizures. These intermittent seizures were, however, associated with a significant thickening of the basal and apical dendritic fields of the CA1 region. These findings indicate that intermittent seizures produce no significant hippocampal neuronal loss and may result in a hypertrophy of CA1 dendritic fields.     

Gradation of Kainic Acid-induced Rat Limbic Seizures and Expression of Hippocampal Heat Shock Protein-70

Systemic injection of kainic acid (KA) induces limbic seizures in rats, which resemble human temporal lobe epilepsy, the most common form of adult human epilepsy. In this study, we have investigated KA-elicited limbic seizures in the rats by correlating the severity of the seizure attacks with the expression of hippocampal heat shock protein-70 (HSP70) which has been suggested to be a marker for neuronal injury/death in this model of seizures. After a systemic injection of KA, six stages of limbic seizures have been classified, namely, staring (stage 1), wet dog shake (stage 2), hyperactivity (stage 3), rearing (stage 4), rearing and falling (stage 5), and jumping (stage 6). Stages 4, 5 and 6 were further divided into mild and severe sub-stages. HSP70 expression was not detected in animals with stages 1 and 2 seizures. At stage 3 a small amount of HSP70 immunoreactive neurons was detected in the CA3 field and the dentate hilus. From stage 4 to stage 5 the degree of HSP70 immunoreactivity increased in the CA1 field from a few positive cells in stage 4 mild to large numbers of immunoreactive neurons in stage 5 severe. HSP70 became detectable in pyramidal cells in the CA2 field from stage 5 severe and higher. In animals with stage 6 seizures, the majority of HSP70 expression became located in glial cells throughout the whole hippocampus. We concluded that HSP70 expression in the hippocampus positively correlates with the severity of KA-elicited limbic seizures.