Hyperactivation of BDNF‐TrkB Signaling Cascades in Human Hypothalamic Hamartoma (HH): A Potential Mechanism Contributing to Epileptogenesis. (13th October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Semaan, Suzan; Wu, Jie; Gan, Yan; Jin, Yu; Li, Guo‐Hui; Kerrigan, John F.; Chang, Yong‐Chang; Huang, Yao
• Is Part Of: CNS neuroscience & therapeutics. Volume 21:Number 2(2015)
• Page Start: 164
• Page End: 172
• Publication Date: 2014-10-13
• Subjects: Neuropharmacology -- Periodicals; Central nervous system -- Diseases -- Effect of drugs on -- Periodicals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1111/cns.12331
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1755-5930

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="cns12331-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <sec id="cns12331-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aims</title> <p>Although compelling evidence suggests that human hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) is intrinsically epileptogenic for gelastic seizures, the molecular mechanisms responsible for epileptogenesis within HH remain to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that hyperactivation of BDNF‐TrkB signaling pathways in surgically resected HH tissue is a possible mechanism for downregulation of KCC2 expression, which in turn underlies GABA‐mediated excitation within HH.</p> </sec> <sec id="cns12331-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Activation of three major BDNF‐TrkB signaling pathways including MAPKs, Akt, and PLC<italic>γ</italic>1 were evaluated in surgically resected HH tissue (n = 14) versus human hypothalamic control tissue (n = 8) using combined methodologies of biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, and electrophysiology.</p> </sec> <sec id="cns12331-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Our data show that compared with hypothalamic control tissue, in HH tissue, (i) activation of TrkB and expression of mature BDNF are elevated; (ii) MAPKs (including ERK1/2, p38, and JNK), Akt, and PLC<italic>γ</italic>1 are highly activated; (iii) KCC2 expression is downregulated; and (iv) pharmacological manipulation of TrkB signaling alters HH neuronal firing rate.</p> </sec> <sec id="cns12331-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Our findings suggest that multiple BDNF‐TrkB signaling pathways are activated in HH. They act independently or collaboratively to downregulate KCC2 expression, which is the key component for GABA‐mediated excitation associated with gelastic seizures.</p> </sec> </abstract>