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Browning JL, Wilson KA, Shandra O, Wei X, Mahmutovic D, Maharathi B, Robel S, VandeVord PJ, Olsen ML. Applying Proteomics and Computational Approaches to Identify Novel Targets in Blast-Associated Post-Traumatic Epilepsy. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2880. [PMID: 38474127 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can lead to post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE). Blast TBI (bTBI) found in Veterans presents with several complications, including cognitive and behavioral disturbances and PTE; however, the underlying mechanisms that drive the long-term sequelae are not well understood. Using an unbiased proteomics approach in a mouse model of repeated bTBI (rbTBI), this study addresses this gap in the knowledge. After rbTBI, mice were monitored using continuous, uninterrupted video-EEG for up to four months. Following this period, we collected cortex and hippocampus tissues from three groups of mice: those with post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE+), those without epilepsy (PTE-), and the control group (sham). Hundreds of differentially expressed proteins were identified in the cortex and hippocampus of PTE+ and PTE- relative to sham. Focusing on protein pathways unique to PTE+, pathways related to mitochondrial function, post-translational modifications, and transport were disrupted. Computational metabolic modeling using dysregulated protein expression predicted mitochondrial proton pump dysregulation, suggesting electron transport chain dysregulation in the epileptic tissue relative to PTE-. Finally, data mining enabled the identification of several novel and previously validated TBI and epilepsy biomarkers in our data set, many of which were found to already be targeted by drugs in various phases of clinical testing. These findings highlight novel proteins and protein pathways that may drive the chronic PTE sequelae following rbTBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack L Browning
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Genetics, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Kelsey A Wilson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Oleksii Shandra
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33174, USA
| | - Xiaoran Wei
- Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Dzenis Mahmutovic
- Department of Cell Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Biswajit Maharathi
- Neurology & Rehabilitation, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Stefanie Robel
- Department of Cell Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Pamela J VandeVord
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Salem Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Salem, VA 24153, USA
| | - Michelle L Olsen
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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Abstract
Concussive brain injury (CBI) is encountered by clinicians in sports medicine, pediatrics, neurosurgery, neurology, physiatry, and primary care. There is no gold standard diagnostic test for CBI, nor is there consensus on what neuromusculoskeletal physical examination tests should be performed on patients who have sustained CBI. This article presents an approach to the history and physical examination of the patient who has sustained a CBI that is based on a review of the literature evidence and the authors' extensive experience with this patient population. Suggested components include an elemental neurological examination that emphasizes the oculomotor/ophthalmologic and vestibular systems, as well as appropriate musculoskeletal assessment of the craniocervical and upper shoulder girdle complex. The use of supplementary tests for CBI, including assessment of exercise tolerance using the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test and tests of neurocognitive function, can aid in the differential diagnosis of CBI. The proposed protocol is envisioned for initial and follow-up assessments in the clinic after CBI, as well as for those with more protracted signs or symptoms. If symptoms persist beyond 2 weeks in adults or 4 weeks in adolescents, then referral to a multidisciplinary center that focuses on CBI is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Zasler
- Concussion Care Centre of Virginia, Ltd, Richmond (Dr Zasler); Tree of Life Services, Inc, Richmond, Virginia (Dr Zasler); Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond (Dr Zasler); UBMD Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo (Drs Haider and Leddy); and Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo (Dr Haider and Mr Grzibowski)
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