Transcriptomic alterations in cortical astrocytes following the development of post-traumatic epilepsy

Abstract Post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) stands as one of the numerous debilitating consequences that follow traumatic brain injury (TBI). Despite its impact on many individuals, the current landscape offers only a limited array of reliable treatment options, and our understanding of the underlying me...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: John Leonard, Xiaoran Wei, Jack Browning, Erwin Kristobal Gudenschwager-Basso, Jiangtao Li, Elizabeth A. Harris, Michelle L. Olsen, Michelle H. Theus
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-04-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-58904-z
Description
Summary:Abstract Post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) stands as one of the numerous debilitating consequences that follow traumatic brain injury (TBI). Despite its impact on many individuals, the current landscape offers only a limited array of reliable treatment options, and our understanding of the underlying mechanisms and susceptibility factors remains incomplete. Among the potential contributors to epileptogenesis, astrocytes, a type of glial cell, have garnered substantial attention as they are believed to promote hyperexcitability and the development of seizures in the brain following TBI. The current study evaluated the transcriptomic changes in cortical astrocytes derived from animals that developed seizures as a result of severe focal TBI. Using RNA-Seq and ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA), we unveil a distinct gene expression profile in astrocytes, including alterations in genes supporting inflammation, early response modifiers, and neuropeptide-amidating enzymes. The findings underscore the complex molecular dynamics in astrocytes during PTE development, offering insights into therapeutic targets and avenues for further exploration.
ISSN:2045-2322