Temporal patterns of the cerebral inflammatory response in the rat lithium-pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy.

To better understand the role of inflammatory responses in temporal lobe epilepsy, we characterized Interleukin1-beta (IL1-beta), Nuclear Factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), and Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression together with neurodegeneration in the rat lithium-pilocarpine model. The immunohistochemical expression of IL1-beta, NF-kappaB, and COX-2 started by 12 h post-injection, persisted for 24 h (status epilepticus period), and returned to basal levels by 3 and 6 days (latent period). The regional distribution of IL1-beta, NF-kappaB, and COX-2 occurred mainly in structures prone to develop neuronal damage. Using double-staining protocols, we detected IL1-beta expression in glial cells, COX-2 expression in neurons, and NF-kappaB in both cell types. The presence of Fluoro-Jade-B-positive degenerating neurons was associated with IL1-beta, NF-kappaB, and COX-2 proteins expression during status epilepticus but not during the latent period while neurons were still degenerating. These data suggest that seizure-related IL1-beta, NF-kappaB, and COX-2 expression may contribute to the pathophysiology of epilepsy by inducing neuronal death and astrocytic activation.