PURPOSE: Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is known to be a major cause of intractable epilepsy. The cellular mechanism(s) underlying the epileptogenicity of FCD remain largely unknown. Because recent studies indicate that metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes (mGluRs) play a role in epileptogenesis, we investigated the expression and cellular distribution pattern of mGluRs in FCD specimens. METHODS: Immunocytochemical expression of group I and group II mGluR subtypes was investigated in 15 specimens of human FCD obtained during epilepsy surgery. RESULTS: Strong mGluR1alpha and mGluR5 (group I mGluRs) immunoreactivity (IR) was observed in the majority of FCD specimens in dysplastic as well as in heterotopic neurons. mGluR1alpha was expressed in a subpopulation of neurons (mainly large dysplastic cells), whereas mGluR5 was represented in a higher percentage of dysplastic neuronal cells. Group II mGluRs (mGluR2/3) IR was observed less frequently than that in group I mGluRs and generally appeared in <10% of the dysplastic neurons. IR for all three mGluR subtypes was observed in balloon cells. mGluR2/3 appeared to be most frequently expressed in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive balloon cells (glial type), and mGluR1alpha, in microtubule-associated protein (MAP)2-positive cells (neuronal type). mGluR5 was present in the majority of balloon cells. Occasionally glial mGluR1alpha IR was observed in bizarre glial cells with di- or multinuclei. Reactive astrocytes were intensively stained, mainly with mGluR5 and mGluR2/3. CONCLUSIONS: The cellular distribution of mGluR subtypes, with high expression of mGluR1alpha and mGluR5 in dysplastic neurons, suggests a possible contribution of group I mGluRs to the intrinsic and high epileptogenicity of dysplastic cortical regions.
PURPOSE: Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is known to be a major cause of intractable epilepsy. The cellular mechanism(s) underlying the epileptogenicity of FCD remain largely unknown. Because recent studies indicate that metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes (mGluRs) play a role in epileptogenesis, we investigated the expression and cellular distribution pattern of mGluRs in FCD specimens. METHODS: Immunocytochemical expression of group I and group II mGluR subtypes was investigated in 15 specimens of humanFCD obtained during epilepsy surgery. RESULTS: Strong mGluR1alpha and mGluR5 (group I mGluRs) immunoreactivity (IR) was observed in the majority of FCD specimens in dysplastic as well as in heterotopic neurons. mGluR1alpha was expressed in a subpopulation of neurons (mainly large dysplastic cells), whereas mGluR5 was represented in a higher percentage of dysplastic neuronal cells. Group II mGluRs (mGluR2/3) IR was observed less frequently than that in group I mGluRs and generally appeared in <10% of the dysplastic neurons. IR for all three mGluR subtypes was observed in balloon cells. mGluR2/3 appeared to be most frequently expressed in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive balloon cells (glial type), and mGluR1alpha, in microtubule-associated protein (MAP)2-positive cells (neuronal type). mGluR5 was present in the majority of balloon cells. Occasionally glial mGluR1alpha IR was observed in bizarre glial cells with di- or multinuclei. Reactive astrocytes were intensively stained, mainly with mGluR5 and mGluR2/3. CONCLUSIONS: The cellular distribution of mGluR subtypes, with high expression of mGluR1alpha and mGluR5 in dysplastic neurons, suggests a possible contribution of group I mGluRs to the intrinsic and high epileptogenicity of dysplastic cortical regions.
Authors: Christine DeLorenzo; Matthew S Milak; Kathleen G Brennan; J S Dileep Kumar; J John Mann; Ramin V Parsey Journal: Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging Date: 2011-01-29 Impact factor: 9.236
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Authors: Avanita S Prabowo; Jasper J Anink; Martin Lammens; Mark Nellist; Ans M W van den Ouweland; Homa Adle-Biassette; Harvey B Sarnat; Laura Flores-Sarnat; Peter B Crino; Eleonora Aronica Journal: Brain Pathol Date: 2012-08-30 Impact factor: 6.508
Authors: Pieter-Paul A M van Thiel; Rob M A de Bie; Filip Eftimov; Robert Tepaske; Hans L Zaaijer; Gerard J J van Doornum; Martin Schutten; Albert D M E Osterhaus; Charles B L M Majoie; Eleonora Aronica; Christine Fehlner-Gardiner; Alex I Wandeler; Piet A Kager Journal: PLoS Negl Trop Dis Date: 2009-07-28