Decreased expression of synaptic vesicle protein 2A, the binding site for levetiracetam, during epileptogenesis and chronic epilepsy.

PURPOSE: We previously showed that gene expression of synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A), the binding site for the antiepileptic drug levetiracetam, is reduced during epileptogenesis in the rat. Since absence of SV2A has been associated with increased epileptogenicity, changes in expression of SV2A could have consequences for the progression of epilepsy. Therefore we investigated hippocampal SV2A protein expression of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients and in rats during epileptogenesis and in the chronic epileptic phase. METHODS: SV2A immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis were performed on the hippocampus of autopsy controls, patients that died from status epilepticus (SE), and pharmacoresistant TLE patients. In addition, in epileptic rats, SV2A expression was determined after SE during the acute, latent, and chronic epileptic phase. RESULTS: In control tissue, presynaptic SV2A was expressed in all hippocampal subfields, with strongest expression in mossy fiber terminals. SV2A positive puncta were distributed in a patchy pattern over the somata and dendrites of neurons. SV2A decreased throughout the hippocampus of TLE patients with hippocampal sclerosis (HS), compared to autopsy control, SE, and non-HS tissue. In most rats, SV2A was already decreased in the latent period especially in the inner molecular layer and stratum lucidum. Similarly as in humans, SV2A was also decreased throughout the hippocampus of chronic epileptic rats, specifically in rats with a progressive form of epilepsy. DISCUSSION: These data support previous findings that reduced expression of SV2A could contribute to the increased epileptogenicity. Whether this affects the effectiveness of levetiracetam needs to be further investigated.

Dynamic changes of proteases and protease inhibitors revealed by microarray analysis in CA3 and entorhinal cortex during epileptogenesis in the rat.

We investigated expression of genes involved in the proteolytic process during epileptogenesis in a rat model of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). In a previous microarray study we found prominent activation of this process, which reached highest expression during the acute and latent phase (1 week after SE) in CA3 and entorhinal cortex (EC). Detailed analysis shows differences in dynamics of the changes of several protease genes such as cathepsins, caspases, matrix metalloproteinases, and plasminogen activators. Most genes were acutely upregulated while others were mainly activated during the latent phase. Interestingly several proteolytic genes were still elevated in the chronic epileptic phase. Various protease inhibitors followed a similar time course. The identification of changes in the activation of genes involved in proteolysis at critical phases during epileptogenesis could point to potential time specific targets for intervention. The fact that several proteolytic genes were still activated in the chronic epileptic phase makes them interesting candidates to modify and slow down seizure progression.

Activation of Wnt signaling in the intestinal mucosa of Apc +/min mice does not cause overexpression of the receptor tyrosine kinase Met.

The receptor tyrosine kinase MET is overexpressed in human colorectal adenomas and carcinomas, suggesting an instrumental role for MET signaling in the onset and progression of colorectal cancer. To corroborate this role, animal models are needed. To study the expression of Met in the normal and neoplastic mouse intestine, we generated an Armenian hamster monoclonal antibody against mouse Met. By using this antibody in immunohistochemical studies, we observed strong Met expression in fetal mouse intestinal epithelial cells. In contrast, in the intestines of adult mice, Met expression was very low whereas the protein was undetectable on the neoplastic epithelium of intestinal adenomas in Apc+/min mice. By immunoblotting, we were also unable to detect Met in intestinal adenomas, whereas Met mRNA levels in microdissected adenomas were very low. The absence of detectable Met protein expression in adenomas of Apc+/min mice contrasts sharply with the vast overexpression of the protein in adenomas of humans with familial adenomatous polyposis or sporadic colorectal carcinomas. Our results imply that deregulation of Wnt signaling in mouse--unlike in human--intestinal epithelium does not result in Met overexpression. Our findings thus reveal important interspecies differences in the regulation of Met expression during intestinal tumorigenesis.

Inhibition of the multidrug transporter P-glycoprotein improves seizure control in phenytoin-treated chronic epileptic rats.

PURPOSE: Overexpression of multidrug transporters such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp) may play a significant role in pharmacoresistance, by preventing antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) from reaching their targets in the brain. Until now, many studies have described increased P-gp expression in epileptic tissue or have shown that several AEDs act as substrates for P-gp. However, definitive proof showing the functional involvement of P-gp in pharmacoresistance is still lacking. Here we tested whether P-gp contributes to pharmacoresistance to phenytoin (PHT) by using a specific P-gp inhibitor in a model of spontaneous seizures in rats. METHODS: The effects of PHT on spontaneous seizure activity were investigated in the electrical post-status epilepticus rat model for temporal lobe epilepsy, before and after administration of tariquidar (TQD), a selective inhibitor of P-gp. RESULTS: A 7-day treatment with therapeutic doses of PHT suppressed spontaneous seizure activity in rats, but only partially. However, an almost complete control of seizures by PHT (93 +/- 7%) was obtained in all rats when PHT was coadministered with TQD. This specific P-gp inhibitor was effective in improving the anticonvulsive action of PHT during the first 3-4 days of the treatment. Western blot analysis confirmed P-gp upregulation in epileptic brains (140-200% of control levels), along with approximately 20% reduced PHT brain levels. Inhibition of P-gp by TQD significantly increased PHT brain levels in chronic epileptic rats. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that TQD significantly improves the anticonvulsive action of PHT, thus establishing a proof-of-concept that the administration of AEDs in combination with P-gp inhibitors may be a promising therapeutic strategy in pharmacoresistant patients.

Expression of multidrug transporters MRP1, MRP2, and BCRP shortly after status epilepticus, during the latent period, and in chronic epileptic rats.

PURPOSE: Overexpression of multidrug transporters may play a role in the development of pharmacoresistance by decreasing extracellular drug levels in the brain. However, it is not known whether overexpression is due to an initial insult or evolves more gradually because of recurrent spontaneous seizures. In the present study, we investigated the expression of different multidrug transporters during epileptogenesis in the rat. In addition, we determined whether these transporters affected phenytoin (PHT) distribution in the brain. METHODS: Expression of multidrug resistance-associated proteins MRP1 and MRP2 and breast cancer-resistance protein (BCRP) was examined after electrically induced status epilepticus (SE) by immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis. Brain/blood PHT levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis in the presence and absence of the MRP inhibitor probenecid. RESULTS: Shortly after SE, MRP1, MRP2, and BCRP were upregulated in astrocytes within several limbic structures, including hippocampus. In chronic epileptic rats, these proteins were overexpressed in the parahippocampal cortex, specifically in blood vessels and astrocytes surrounding these vessels. Overexpression was related to the occurrence of SE and was present mainly in rats with a high seizure frequency. Brain PHT levels were significantly lower in epileptic rats compared with control rats, but pharmacologic inhibition of MRPs increased the PHT levels. CONCLUSIONS: Overexpression of MRP and BCRP was induced by SE as well as recurrent seizures. Moreover, overexpression was associated with lower PHT levels in the brain, which was reversed through inhibition of MRPs. These data suggest that administration of antiepileptic drugs in combination with specific inhibitors for multidrug transporters may be a promising therapeutic strategy in pharmacoresistant patients.

Localization of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) in microvessel endothelium of human control and epileptic brain.

PURPOSE: Breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) is a half adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette (ABC) transporter expressed on cellular membranes and included in the group of multidrug resistant (MDR)-related proteins. Recently, upregulation of different MDR proteins has been shown in human epilepsy-associated conditions. This study investigated the expression and cellular distribution of BCRP in human control and epileptic brain, including a large number of both neoplastic and nonneoplastic specimens from patients with chronic pharmacoresistant epilepsy. METHODS: Several epileptogenic pathologies, such as hippocampal sclerosis (HS), focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor, oligodendroglioma astrocytoma, and glioblastoma multiforme were studied by using Western blot and immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: With Western blot, we could demonstrate the presence of BCRP in both normal and epileptic human brain tissue. In contrast to P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) 2, BCRP expression levels did not change in tissue from patients with HS, compared with control hippocampus. No BCRP immunoreactivity was observed in glial or neuronal cells, including reactive astrocytes and dysplastic neurons in FCD. BCRP expression was, however, increased in tumor brain tissue. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated that BCRP was exclusively located in blood vessels and was highly expressed at the luminal cell surface and in newly formed tumor capillaries. This localization closely resembles that of P-gp. The higher expression observed in astrocytomas by Western blot analysis was related to the higher vascular density within the tumor tissue. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate a constitutive expression of BCRP in human endothelial cells, representing an important barrier against drug access to the brain. In particular, the strong BCRP expression in the microvasculature of epileptogenic brain tumors could critically influence the bioavailability of drugs within the tumor and contribute to pharmacoresistance.

Expression and cellular distribution of major vault protein: a putative marker for pharmacoresistance in a rat model for temporal lobe epilepsy.

PURPOSE: Because drug transporters might play a role in the development of multidrug resistance (MDR), we investigated the expression of a vesicular drug transporter, the major vault protein (MVP), in a rat model for temporal lobe epilepsy. METHODS: By using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and immunocytochemistry, we quantified MVP mRNA and protein from the dentate gyrus (DG) and parahippocampal cortex (PHC) taken from EEG-monitored rats at 1 week after electrically induced status epilepticus (SE) and at 5-9 months after SE, when rats exhibit spontaneous seizures. RESULTS: Within 1 week after SE, MVP mRNA levels increased in both DG and PHC compared with those in controls. In chronic epileptic rats, MVP mRNA was still significantly upregulated in the PHC, whereas in the DG, the expression returned to control levels. MVP protein increased within 1 day after SE in reactive microglial cells within most limbic regions; the hippocampus showed the highest expression at 1 week after SE. In chronic epileptic rats, MVP protein expression was largely decreased in most brain regions, but it was still high, especially in the piriform cortex. The occurrence of SE was a prerequisite for increased MVP expression, because no increase was found in electrically stimulated rats that did not exhibit SE. CONCLUSIONS: MVP expression is upregulated in chronic epileptic rats and may contribute to the development of pharmacoresistance.

Expression and cellular distribution of high- and low-affinity neurotrophin receptors in malformations of cortical development.

An increasing number of observations suggests an important and complex role for both high- (tyrosine kinase receptor, trk) and low- (p75) affinity neurotrophin receptors (NTRs) during development in human brain. In the present study, the cell-specific distribution of NTRs was studied in different developmental lesions, including focal cortical dysplasia (FCD, n = 15), ganglioglioma (GG, n = 15) and dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors, (DNT, n = 10), from patients with medically intractable epilepsy. Lesional, perilesional, as well as normal brain regions were examined for the expression of trkA, trkB, trkC and p75(NTR) by immunocytochemistry. In normal postmortem human cortex, immunoreactivity (IR) for trk and p75(NTR) was mainly observed in pyramidal neurons, whereas no notable glial IR was found within the white matter. All three trk receptors were encountered in high levels in the neuronal component of the majority of FCD, GG and DNT specimens. Strong trkA, trkB and trkC IR was found in neurons of different size, including large dysplastic neurons and balloon cells in FCD cases. In contrast, p75(NTR) IR was observed in only a small number of neuronal cells, which also contain trk receptors. Glial cells with astrocytic morphology showed predominantly IR for trkA in FCD and GG specimens, whereas oligodendroglial-like cells in DNT showed predominently IR for trkB. P75(NTR) IR was observed in a population of cells of the microglial/macrophage lineage in both FCD and glioneuronal tumors. Taken together, our findings indicate that the neuronal and the glial components of malformations of cortical development express both high- and low-affinity NTRs. Further research is necessary to investigate how activation of these specific receptors could contribute to the development and the epileptogenicity of these developmental disorders.

Selective and persistent upregulation of mdr1b mRNA and P-glycoprotein in the parahippocampal cortex of chronic epileptic rats.

There is recent evidence that increased expression of multidrug transporters, such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp), may lead to reduced antiepileptic drug (AED) concentrations in the brain, shortly after status epilepticus (SE), thereby suggesting a possible mechanism for drug-resistance. To get insights on whether increased P-gp expression is a consequence of the initial insult, or evolves more gradually as a result of recurrent spontaneous seizures, we used a rat model of temporal lobe epilepsy in which spontaneous seizures develop after an electrically induced SE. We investigated the temporal and region-specific expression of two isoforms of the multidrug resistance gene (mdr1a and mdr1b, both encoding for P-gp) in two regions within the temporal lobe (the dentate gyrus (DG) and the parahippocampal cortex (PHC)). Using real-time PCR, we found that the mdr1b isoform was increased in the temporal lobe, 1 week after SE; however, this increase was reversible in dentate gyrus while it persisted in the parahippocampal cortex of chronic epileptic rats. Mdr1b upregulation was related to the occurrence of spontaneous seizures, since this isoform was unchanged in rats that were stimulated, but that did not develop SE (non-SE). The mdr1a isoform was transiently upregulated in the dentate gyrus. P-gp immunostaining was enhanced in endothelial and glia-like cells, 1 week after SE. In chronic epileptic rats, the number of strongly P-gp positive glia-like cells was much lower than 1 week after SE, and it was mainly present in the most ventral part of the temporal lobe. These cells were in close apposition to strongly stained blood vessels. These findings show that both mdr1a and mdr1b are induced by SE, although the increase in mdr1b isoform was more persistent. More importantly, increased P-gp expression is still present in chronic epileptic rats.

Overexpression through amplification of genes in chromosome region 17p11.2 approximately p12 in high-grade osteosarcoma.

Osteosarcomas are malignant tumors of the bone that are characterized by complex genetic changes, including loss and amplification of chromosome regions. Region 17p11.2 approximately p12 is frequently found to be amplified in this tumor, suggesting the presence of an oncogene (or oncogenes) important in osteosarcoma tumorigenesis. We had previously determined amplification profiles for this region. Reasoning that amplification of a causative oncogene in a tumor should result in increased expression of that gene, we have now determined the expression status of genes and expressed sequence tags (ESTs) in 17p11.2 approximately p12. We constructed a 17p11.2 approximately p12-specific macroarray containing 40 genes and 21 ESTs from this region, which was used for expression profiling of 11 osteosarcoma samples (9 tumors and 2 cell lines) and of normal human osteoblasts. Compared to normal osteoblasts, genes with at least threefold increased expression were considered to be overexpressed in the tumor. Genes PMP22 and COPS3, EST AA126939 (encoding part of the hypothetical protein FLJ20343), and two anonymous ESTs (AA918483 and R02360) were found to be most consistently overexpressed after amplification. By real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, we could confirm the overexpression status of PMP22 and COPS3 but not of FLJ20343. We conclude that PMP22 and COPS3, and possibly also the three ESTs, are candidate amplification targets in 17p11.2 approximately p12 in osteosarcoma.

Expression and cellular distribution of multidrug resistance-related proteins in the hippocampus of patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the cellular distribution of different multidrug resistance (MDR)-related proteins such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp), the multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRP) 1 and 2, and the major vault protein (MVP) in normal and sclerotic hippocampus of patients with medically refractory mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). METHODS: Single- and double-label immunocytochemistry was used on brain sections of control hippocampus and of hippocampus of refractory MTLE patients. RESULTS: In TLE cases with hippocampal sclerosis (HS), all four MDR proteins examined that had low or no expression in control tissue were upregulated, albeit with different cellular distribution patterns. P-gp immunoreactivity (IR) was observed in astrocytes in regions with diffuse reactive gliosis. In 75% of HS cases, strong P-gp IR was detected in blood vessels, with prominent endothelial labeling. Reactive astrocytes displayed low MRP1 IR. However, glial MRP1 expression was noted in glial endfoot processes around blood vessels. Neuronal MRP1 expression was observed in hypertrophic hilar neurons and in a few residual neurons of the CA1 region. Hippocampal MRP2 expression was observed in the large majority of HS cases in blood vessels. Hypertrophic hilar neurons and blood vessels within the sclerotic hippocampus expressed major vault protein (MVP). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that MDR proteins are upregulated in concert in the hippocampus of patients with refractory MTLE, supporting their role in the mechanisms underlying drug resistance. The specific cell-distribution patterns within the sclerotic hippocampus suggest different cellular functions, not necessarily linked only to clinical drug resistance.

Amplification of 17p11.2 approximately p12, including PMP22, TOP3A, and MAPK7, in high-grade osteosarcoma.

Amplification of region 17p11.2 approximately p12 has been found in 13%-29% of high-grade osteosarcomas, suggesting the presence of an oncogene or oncogenes that may contribute to their development. To determine the location of these putative oncogenes, we established 17p11.2 approximately p12 amplification profiles by semiquantitative PCR, using 15 microsatellite markers and seven candidate genes in 19 high-grade osteosarcomas. Most of the tumors displayed complex amplification profiles, with frequent involvement of marker D17S2041 in 17p12 and TOP3A in 17p11.2 and, in some cases, very high-level amplification of PMP22 and MAPK7 in 17p11.2. Our findings suggest that multiple amplification targets, including PMP22, TOP3A, and MAPK7 or genes close to these candidate oncogenes, may be present in 17p11.2 approximately p12 and thus contribute to osteosarcoma tumorigenesis.