Increased Metallothionein I/II Expression in Patients with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Author(s)

Peixoto-Santos, Jose Eduardo ^[1] ; Galvis-Alonso, Orfa Yineth ^[2] ; Velasco, Tonicarlo Rodrigues ^[1] ; Kandratavicius, Ludmyla ^[1] ; Assirati, Joao Alberto ^[3] ; Carlotti, Carlos Gilberto ^[3] ; Scandiuzzi, Renata Caldo ^[1] ; Serafini, Luciano Neder ^[4] ; Leite, Joao Pereira ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Neurosci & Behav, Ribeirao Preto Sch Med, BR-14049 Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

^[2] Sao Jose do Rio Preto Med Sch, Dept Mol Biol, Sao Jose Do Rio Preto - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Neurosurg, Ribeirao Preto Sch Med, BR-14049 Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Pathol, Ribeirao Preto Sch Med, BR-14049 Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 7, n. 9 SEP 18 2012.
• Web of Science Citations: 17

Abstract

In the central nervous system, zinc is released along with glutamate during neurotransmission and, in excess, can promote neuronal death. Experimental studies have shown that metallothioneins I/II (MT-I/II), which chelate free zinc, can affect seizures and reduce neuronal death after status epilepticus. Our aim was to evaluate the expression of MT-I/II in the hippocampus of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Hippocampi from patients with pharmacoresistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) and patients with TLE associated with tumor or dysplasia (TLE-TD) were evaluated for expression of MT-I/II, for the vesicular zinc levels, and for neuronal, astroglial, and microglial populations. Compared to control cases, MTLE group displayed widespread increase in MT-I/II expression, astrogliosis, microgliosis and reduced neuronal population. In TLE-TD, the same changes were observed, except that were mainly confined to fascia dentata. Increased vesicular zinc was observed only in the inner molecular layer of MTLE patients, when compared to control cases. Correlation and linear regression analyses indicated an association between increased MT-I/II and increased astrogliosis in TLE. MT-I/II levels did not correlate with any clinical variables, but MTLE patients with secondary generalized seizures (SGS) had less MT-I/II than MTLE patients without SGS. In conclusion, MT-I/II expression was increased in hippocampi from TLE patients and our data suggest that it is associated with astrogliosis and may be associated with different seizure spread patterns. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/53447-7 - Synaptic and non synaptic mechanisms of refractory epilepsy and its implications in searching for new therapeutic strategies: translational approach
• Grantee: João Pereira Leite
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 05/56447-7 - Research through images from high field magnetic resonance aimed at studies in humans
• Grantee: João Pereira Leite
• Support Opportunities: Inter-institutional Cooperation in Support of Brain Research (CINAPCE) - Thematic Grants