Inactivation of caspase-1 in rodent brain: a novel anticonvulsive strategy.
OBJECTIVE
Cytokines and related inflammatory mediators are rapidly synthesized in the brain during seizures. We previously found that intracerebral administration of interleukin-1 (IL-1)-beta has proconvulsant effects, whereas its endogenous receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) mediates potent anticonvulsant actions in various models of limbic seizures. In this study, we investigated whether seizures can be effectively inhibited by blocking the brain production of IL-1beta, by using selective inhibitors of interleukin-converting enzyme (ICE/caspase-1) or through caspase-1 gene deletion.


METHODS
Caspase-1 was selectively blocked by using pralnacasan or VX-765. IL-1beta release was induced in mouse organotypic hippocampal slice cultures by proinflammatory stimuli [lipopolysaccharide (LPS) + adenosine triphosphate (ATP)] and measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IL-1beta production during seizures was measured in the rat hippocampus by Western blot. Seizures were induced in freely moving mice and rats by intrahippocampal injection of kainic acid and recorded by EEG analysis.


RESULTS
Caspase-1 inhibition reduced the release of IL-1beta in organotypic slices exposed to LPS+ATP. Administration of pralnacasan (intracerebroventricular, 50 microg) or VX-765 (intraperitoneal, 25-200 mg/kg) to rats blocked seizure-induced production of IL-1beta in the hippocampus, and resulted in a twofold delay in seizure onset and 50% reduction in seizure duration. Mice with caspase-1 gene deletion showed a 70% reduction in seizures and an approximate fourfold delay in their onset.


CONCLUSIONS
Inhibition of caspase-1 represents an effective and novel anticonvulsive strategy, which acts by selectively reducing the brain availability of IL-1beta.
Ravizza
Teresa
T
Department of Neuroscience, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan, Italy.
Lucas
Sian-Marie
SM
Balosso
Silvia
S
Bernardino
Liliana
L
Ku
George
G
Noé
Francesco
F
Malva
Joao
J
Randle
John C R
JC
Allan
Stuart
S
Vezzani
Annamaria
A
D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001381:Azepines / Q000494:pharmacology; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D020170:Caspase 1 / Q000235:genetics; D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology; D007608:Kainic Acid; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D011355:Prodrugs / Q000494:pharmacology; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D011724:Pyridazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D001381:Azepines; D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D007375:Interleukin-1; D007546:Isoquinolines; D011355:Prodrugs; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D011724:Pyridazines; D020170:Caspase 1; C476331:pralnacasan; D007608:Kainic Acid