Interleukin-1alpha in the brain is induced by audiogenic seizure.
We examined the expression of the sleep-inducing cytokine interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) in the brains of audiogenic seizure-susceptible mice subsequent to the induction of sound-induced seizure. Animal models of epilepsy often require lesioning or trauma that may nonspecifically alter IL-1alpha expression. To avoid this, we employed the Frings mouse strain; a model of auditory-evoked reflex epilepsy. Frings mice were exposed to a high-intensity sound stimulus to induce a tonic extension seizure, and the expression of IL-1alpha transcripts in different brain regions was measured thereafter. Compared to control animals, IL-1alpha transcripts were elevated 6 to 8 h postseizure in the hypothalamus, but not hippocampus, by a dexamethasone-sensitive pathway. Similar results were obtained from the genetically distinct DBA/2J audiogenic seizure-susceptible mouse strain. These findings demonstrate that the expression of IL-1alpha is altered following generalized seizure activity, induced by noninvasive sensory stimulation, in a brain-region-specific manner.
Gahring
L C
LC
Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84148, USA. lgahring@genetics.utah.edu
White
H S
HS
Skradski
S L
SL
Carlson
N G
NG
Rogers
S W
SW
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012640:Seizures / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007375:Interleukin-1; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D003907:Dexamethasone