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Varlamova EG, Borisova EV, Evstratova YA, Newman AG, Kuldaeva VP, Gavrish MS, Kondakova EV, Tarabykin VS, Babaev AA, Turovsky EA. Socrates: A Novel N-Ethyl-N-nitrosourea-Induced Mouse Mutant with Audiogenic Epilepsy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17104. [PMID: 38069426 PMCID: PMC10707124 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is one of the common neurological diseases that affects not only adults but also infants and children. Because epilepsy has been studied for a long time, there are several pharmacologically effective anticonvulsants, which, however, are not suitable as therapy for all patients. The genesis of epilepsy has been extensively investigated in terms of its occurrence after injury and as a concomitant disease with various brain diseases, such as tumors, ischemic events, etc. However, in the last decades, there are multiple reports that both genetic and epigenetic factors play an important role in epileptogenesis. Therefore, there is a need for further identification of genes and loci that can be associated with higher susceptibility to epileptic seizures. Use of mouse knockout models of epileptogenesis is very informative, but it has its limitations. One of them is due to the fact that complete deletion of a gene is not, in many cases, similar to human epilepsy-associated syndromes. Another approach to generating mouse models of epilepsy is N-Ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-directed mutagenesis. Recently, using this approach, we generated a novel mouse strain, soc (socrates, formerly s8-3), with epileptiform activity. Using molecular biology methods, calcium neuroimaging, and immunocytochemistry, we were able to characterize the strain. Neurons isolated from soc mutant brains retain the ability to differentiate in vitro and form a network. However, soc mutant neurons are characterized by increased spontaneous excitation activity. They also demonstrate a high degree of Ca2+ activity compared to WT neurons. Additionally, they show increased expression of NMDA receptors, decreased expression of the Ca2+-conducting GluA2 subunit of AMPA receptors, suppressed expression of phosphoinositol 3-kinase, and BK channels of the cytoplasmic membrane involved in protection against epileptogenesis. During embryonic and postnatal development, the expression of several genes encoding ion channels is downregulated in vivo, as well. Our data indicate that soc mutation causes a disruption of the excitation-inhibition balance in the brain, and it can serve as a mouse model of epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena G. Varlamova
- Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, 142290 Pushchino, Russia;
| | - Ekaterina V. Borisova
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (E.V.B.); (A.G.N.)
- Institute of Neuroscience, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Gagarin Ave., 603022 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (V.P.K.); (M.S.G.); (E.V.K.); (A.A.B.)
| | - Yuliya A. Evstratova
- Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “MIREA—Russian Technological University”, 78, Vernadskogo Ave., 119454 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Andrew G. Newman
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (E.V.B.); (A.G.N.)
| | - Vera P. Kuldaeva
- Institute of Neuroscience, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Gagarin Ave., 603022 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (V.P.K.); (M.S.G.); (E.V.K.); (A.A.B.)
- Research Institute of Medical Genetics, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, 10 Nab. Ushaiki, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
| | - Maria S. Gavrish
- Institute of Neuroscience, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Gagarin Ave., 603022 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (V.P.K.); (M.S.G.); (E.V.K.); (A.A.B.)
| | - Elena V. Kondakova
- Institute of Neuroscience, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Gagarin Ave., 603022 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (V.P.K.); (M.S.G.); (E.V.K.); (A.A.B.)
- Research Institute of Medical Genetics, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, 10 Nab. Ushaiki, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
| | - Victor S. Tarabykin
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (E.V.B.); (A.G.N.)
- Institute of Neuroscience, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Gagarin Ave., 603022 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (V.P.K.); (M.S.G.); (E.V.K.); (A.A.B.)
- Research Institute of Medical Genetics, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, 10 Nab. Ushaiki, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
| | - Alexey A. Babaev
- Institute of Neuroscience, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Gagarin Ave., 603022 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (V.P.K.); (M.S.G.); (E.V.K.); (A.A.B.)
| | - Egor A. Turovsky
- Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, 142290 Pushchino, Russia;
- Institute of Neuroscience, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Gagarin Ave., 603022 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (V.P.K.); (M.S.G.); (E.V.K.); (A.A.B.)
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Borowicz-Reutt K, Czernia J, Krawczyk M. Genetic Background of Epilepsy and Antiepileptic Treatments. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16280. [PMID: 38003469 PMCID: PMC10671416 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Advanced identification of the gene mutations causing epilepsy syndromes is expected to translate into faster diagnosis and more effective treatment of these conditions. Over the last 5 years, approximately 40 clinical trials on the treatment of genetic epilepsies have been conducted. As a result, some medications that are not regular antiseizure drugs (e.g., soticlestat, fenfluramine, or ganaxolone) have been introduced to the treatment of drug-resistant seizures in Dravet, Lennox-Gastaut, maternally inherited chromosome 15q11.2-q13.1 duplication (Dup 15q) syndromes, and protocadherin 19 (PCDH 19)-clusterig epilepsy. And although the effects of soticlestat, fenfluramine, and ganaxolone are described as promising, they do not significantly affect the course of the mentioned epilepsy syndromes. Importantly, each of these syndromes is related to mutations in several genes. On the other hand, several mutations can occur within one gene, and different gene variants may be manifested in different disease phenotypes. This complex pattern of inheritance contributes to rather poor genotype-phenotype correlations. Hence, the detection of a specific mutation is not synonymous with a precise diagnosis of a specific syndrome. Bearing in mind that seizures develop as a consequence of the predominance of excitatory over inhibitory processes, it seems reasonable that mutations in genes encoding sodium and potassium channels, as well as glutamatergic and gamma-aminobutyric (GABA) receptors, play a role in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. In some cases, different pathogenic variants of the same gene can result in opposite functional effects, determining the effectiveness of therapy with certain medications. For instance, seizures related to gain-of-function (GoF) mutations in genes encoding sodium channels can be successfully treated with sodium channel blockers. On the contrary, the same drugs may aggravate seizures related to loss-of-function (LoF) variants of the same genes. Hence, knowledge of gene mutation-treatment response relationships facilitates more favorable selection of drugs for anticonvulsant therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Borowicz-Reutt
- Independent Unit of Experimental Neuropathophysiology, Department of Toxicology, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8b, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (J.C.); (M.K.)
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Ghosh S, Sinha JK, Ghosh S, Sharma H, Bhaskar R, Narayanan KB. A Comprehensive Review of Emerging Trends and Innovative Therapies in Epilepsy Management. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1305. [PMID: 37759906 PMCID: PMC10527076 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13091305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a complex neurological disorder affecting millions worldwide, with a substantial number of patients facing drug-resistant epilepsy. This comprehensive review explores innovative therapies for epilepsy management, focusing on their principles, clinical evidence, and potential applications. Traditional antiseizure medications (ASMs) form the cornerstone of epilepsy treatment, but their limitations necessitate alternative approaches. The review delves into cutting-edge therapies such as responsive neurostimulation (RNS), vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), and deep brain stimulation (DBS), highlighting their mechanisms of action and promising clinical outcomes. Additionally, the potential of gene therapies and optogenetics in epilepsy research is discussed, revealing groundbreaking findings that shed light on seizure mechanisms. Insights into cannabidiol (CBD) and the ketogenic diet as adjunctive therapies further broaden the spectrum of epilepsy management. Challenges in achieving seizure control with traditional therapies, including treatment resistance and individual variability, are addressed. The importance of staying updated with emerging trends in epilepsy management is emphasized, along with the hope for improved therapeutic options. Future research directions, such as combining therapies, AI applications, and non-invasive optogenetics, hold promise for personalized and effective epilepsy treatment. As the field advances, collaboration among researchers of natural and synthetic biochemistry, clinicians from different streams and various forms of medicine, and patients will drive progress toward better seizure control and a higher quality of life for individuals living with epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shampa Ghosh
- GloNeuro, Sector 107, Vishwakarma Road, Noida 201301, India
- ICMR—National Institute of Nutrition, Tarnaka, Hyderabad 500007, India
| | | | - Soumya Ghosh
- GloNeuro, Sector 107, Vishwakarma Road, Noida 201301, India
| | | | - Rakesh Bhaskar
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak-Ro, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 38541, Republic of Korea
| | - Kannan Badri Narayanan
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak-Ro, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 38541, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak-Ro, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 38541, Republic of Korea
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