title: Effect of connexin 36 blockers on the neuronal cytoskeleton and synaptic plasticity in kainic acid-kindled rats.
abstract: In this study we investigated the potential anti-epileptogenic effect of neuronal connexin Cx36 gap junction blockageviainhibition of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2) and synaptophysin (SYP) overexpression. Thirty adult male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (six animals per group): control, sham, carbenoxolone (CBX), quinine (QN), and quinidine (QND). An epilepsy model was produced by injecting kainic acid (KA) into the rat amygdala. Broad-spectrum and selective blockers of the Cx36 channel (CBX, QN, and QND) were administeredviaintraperitoneal injection. Expression of MAP-2 and SYP was assessed by immunofluorescent and immunohistochemical examination. Expression of MAP-2 and SYP was significantly increased after KA administration in the sham group compared with the control group. Expression of MAP-2 and SYP was significantly decreased in the CBX, QN, and QND groups compared with the sham group. The results provide new evidence regarding the key role of MAP-2 and SYP overexpression in three important mechanisms: the modulation of neuronal plasticity, hyperexcitability of the hippocampal neuronal network, and persistent seizure discharge. Furthermore, the reversal of MAP-2 and SYP overexpression following administration of Cx36 channel blockers indicates a potential role for Cx36 channel blockers in anti-epileptogenic treatment and in doing so, highlights a critical need for further investigation of these compounds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Neurology, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xue-Mei
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Peking University International Hospital, Peking, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Guang-Liang
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Miao
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Jia-Chun
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Feng
keywords: Connexin 36; Epilepsy; microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2); synaptophysin (SYP)