Dataset Information

Anti-inflammatory effects of the anticonvulsant drug levetiracetam on electrophysiological properties of astroglia are mediated via TGF?1 regulation.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

The involvement of astrocytes as immune-competent players in inflammation and the pathogenesis of epilepsy and seizure-induced brain damage has recently been recognized. In clinical trials and practice, levetiracetam (LEV) has proven to be an effective antiepileptic drug (AED) in various forms of epileptic seizures, when applied as mono- or added therapy. Little is known about the mechanism(s) of action of LEV. Evidence so far suggests a mode of action different from that of classical AEDs. We have shown that LEV restored functional gap junction coupling and basic membrane properties in an astrocytic inflammatory model in vitro.

Experimental approach

Here, we used neonatal rat astrocytes co-cultured with high proportions (30%) of activated microglia or treated with the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1? to provoke inflammatory responses. Effects of LEV (50 µg·mL?¹) on electrophysiological properties of astrocytes (by whole cell patch clamp) and on secretion of TGF?1 (by (ELISA)) were studied in these co-cultures.

Key results

LEV restored impaired astrocyte membrane resting potentials via modification of inward and outward rectifier currents, and promoted TGF?1 expression in inflammatory and control co-cultures. Furthermore, LEV and TGF?1 exhibited similar facilitating effects on the generation of astrocyte voltage-gated currents in inflammatory co-cultures and the effects of LEV were prevented by antibody to TGF?1.

Conclusions and implications

Our data suggest that LEV is likely to reduce the harmful spread of excitation elicited by seizure events within the astro-glial functional syncytium, with stabilizing consequences for neuronal-glial interactions.

SUBMITTER: Stienen MN

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3031068 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Anti-inflammatory effects of the anticonvulsant drug levetiracetam on electrophysiological properties of astroglia are mediated via TGFβ1 regulation.

Stienen Martin N MN Haghikia Aiden A Dambach Hannes H Thöne Jan J Wiemann Martin M Gold Ralf R Chan Andrew A Dermietzel Rolf R Faustmann Pedro M PM Hinkerohe Daniel D Prochnow Nora N

British journal of pharmacology 20110101 2

<h4>Background and purpose</h4>The involvement of astrocytes as immune-competent players in inflammation and the pathogenesis of epilepsy and seizure-induced brain damage has recently been recognized. In clinical trials and practice, levetiracetam (LEV) has proven to be an effective antiepileptic drug (AED) in various forms of epileptic seizures, when applied as mono- or added therapy. Little is known about the mechanism(s) of action of LEV. Evidence so far suggests a mode of action different fr ...[more]

PMID: 20955362

Similar Datasets

Project description:Migraine is a debilitating condition characterized by recurrent severe head pain. Although mechanisms underlying a migraine attack remain controversial, one proposal is that inflammatory mediator (IM)-induced activation and sensitization of dural afferents contribute to the initiation of migraine pain. We and others have shown that the electrophysiological properties of afferents, both in the absence and the presence of IM, vary as a function of target of innervation. These differences may account for unique aspects of pain syndromes associated with specific body regions. Therefore the purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that the electrophysiological properties of dural afferents differ from those innervating the temporalis muscle (TM), a structure in close proximity to the dura but that is not associated with pain syndromes at all similar to migraine. Acutely dissociated retrograde labeled primary afferents innervating the dura and TM were examined with whole cell current-clamp recordings. Passive and active electrophysiological properties were determined before and after the application of IM: (in muM) prostaglandin E(2) (1), bradykinin (10), and histamine (1). In the absence of IM, there were significant differences between the two populations, particularly with respect to the response to suprathreshold stimulation where dural afferents were more excitable than TM afferents. Importantly, although both populations of afferents were sensitized by IM, the pattern of passive and active electrophysiological changes associated with IM-induced sensitization of these two populations of afferents suggested that there were both similarities and marked differences between the two with respect to underlying mechanisms of sensitization. If the differences between dural and TM afferents are due to a differential pattern of ion channel expression rather than differences in the relative density/biophysical properties of the same ion channels, it may be possible to selectively treat migraine pain by targeting the distinct mechanisms underlying IM-induced sensitization of dural afferents.

Project description:To date, it is widely recognized that Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) can exert considerable anti-tumor effects regarding many types of cancers. The prolonged use of NSAIDs is highly associated with diverse side effects. Therefore, tailoring down the NSAID application onto individual patients has become a necessary and relevant step towards personalized medicine. This study conducts the systemsbiological approach to construct a molecular model (NSAID model) containing a cyclooxygenase (COX)-pathway and its related signaling pathways. Four cancer hallmarks are integrated into the model to reflect different developmental aspects of tumorigenesis. In addition, a Flux-Comparative-Analysis (FCA) based on Petri net is developed to transfer the dynamic properties (including drug responsiveness) of individual cellular system into the model. The gene expression profiles of different tumor-types with available drug-response information are applied to validate the predictive ability of the NSAID model. Moreover, two therapeutic developmental strategies, synthetic lethality and microRNA (miRNA) biomarker discovery, are investigated based on the COX-pathway. In conclusion, the result of this study demonstrates that the NSAID model involving gene expression, gene regulation, signal transduction, protein interaction and other cellular processes, is able to predict the individual cellular responses for different therapeutic interventions (such as NS-398 and COX-2 specific siRNA inhibition). This strongly indicates that this type of model is able to reflect the physiological, developmental and pathological processes of an individual. The approach of miRNA biomarker discovery is demonstrated for identifying miRNAs with oncogenic and tumor suppressive functions for individual cell lines of breast-, colon- and lung-tumor. The achieved results are in line with different independent studies that investigated miRNA biomarker related to diagnostics of cancer treatments, therefore it might shed light on the development of biomarker discovery at individual level. Particular results of this study might contribute to step further towards personalized medicine with the systemsbiological approach.

Project description:BACKGROUND:Lipid transfer protein (LTP), an abundant protein in fruits, vegetables, and nuts, is a common food allergen in Mediterranean areas causing diverse allergic reactions. Approximately 40% of food-related anaphylaxis induced by LTPs requires nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as a triggering cofactor. OBJECTIVE:We sought to better understand the determinants of NSAID-dependent and NSAID-independent LTP-induced anaphylaxis (LTP-A). METHODS:Selection of patients was based on a proved clinical history of NSAID-dependent or NSAID-independent anaphylaxis to LTPs, positive skin prick test response to LTPs, and serum LTP IgE. Whole-transcriptome (RNA sequencing) analysis of blood cells from 14 patients with NSAID-related LTP-A (NSAID-LTP-A), 7 patients with LTP-A, and 13 healthy control subjects was performed to identify distinct gene expression signatures. RESULTS:Expression of genes regulating gastrointestinal epithelial renewal was altered in both patient sets, particularly in those with LTP-A, who also presented with gene expression profiles characteristic of an inflammatory syndrome. These included altered B-cell pathways, increased neutrophil activation markers, and increased reactive oxygen species levels. Increased expression of the IgG receptor (CD64) in patients with LTP-A was mirrored by the presence of LTP-specific IgG1 and IgG3. Conversely, patients with NSAID-LTP-A were characterized by reduced expression of IFN-?-regulated genes and IFN-? levels, as well as upregulated expression of adenosine receptor 3 (ADORA3) and genes related to adenosine metabolism. CONCLUSIONS:Gene ontology analysis suggests disturbances in gut epithelial homeostasis in both groups with LTP-A, with potential integrity breaches in patients with LTP-A that might explain their distinct inflammatory signatures. Differential regulation in patients with LTP-A and those with NSAID-LTP-A of the IFN-? pathway, IgG receptors, and ADORA3 might provide the pathogenic basis of their distinct responses.