Analysis of genes involved in cell proliferation, adhesion, and control of apoptosis during embryonic neurogenesis in Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) from patients with Focal Cortical Dysplasia.

Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is a malformation of cortical development which is strongly associated with drug-refractory epilepsy. Certain studies have demonstrated an increase in mTOR signaling in patients with FCD on the basis of observation of phosphorylated molecules. The aim of the present study was to verify the differences in genes involved in cell proliferation, adhesion, and control of apoptosis during embryonic neurogenesis in iPSCs derived from the Focal Cortical Dysplasia. Fibroblasts were obtained from the skin biopsies of patients with FCD (n = 2) and controls (n = 2). iPSCs were generated by exposing the fibroblasts to viral vectors that contained the Yamanaka factors (OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and c-MYC genes) responsible for promoving cell reprogramation. The fibroblasts and iPSCs were tested during different phases of neurodifferentiation for migration capacity and expression of the genes involved in the PI3K pathway. Fibroblasts of patients with FCD migrated with greater intensity during the first two time points of analyses. iPSCs did not exhibit any difference in cell migration between the groups. Fibroblasts, brain tissue, and iPSCs of the patients with FCD exhibited a significant reduction in the relative expression values of 4EBP-1. During neurodevelopment, the iPSCs from patients with FCD exhibited a reduction in the expression of cIAP-1, cIAP-2, PI3K, β-Catenin and 4EBP-1 gene. We suggest that the differences observed in the migration potential of adult cells and in the gene expression related to the fundamental processes involved in normal brain development during the neurodifferentiation process might be associated with cortical alteration in the patients with FCD.