Accumulating evidence in animal models highlights that inflammation ensuing in the brain during status epilepticus (SE) may play a determinant role in ongoing seizures and their long-term detrimental consequences, independent of an infection or auto-immune cause. Studies in a multitude of animal models demonstrate that SE causes a rapid and intense inflammatory cascade in the forebrain involving interactions among neurons, reactive astrocytes, activated microglia, vascular endothelial cells and, eventually, infiltrating neutrophils and monocytes from the blood. The pathophysiological interactions among the various inflammatory molecules, and the sequence of events leading to their induction, have not yet been dissected. The broad cytokine burst and gliosis following SE is blunted in mice that have genetic ablations of COX-2 restricted to those principal forebrain neurons in which COX-2 is normally induced by SE, pointing to a role for COX-2 pathways in SE-induced inflammation including breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is sufficient to produce epilepsy. Previous work showed that the EP2 receptor mediates much of the COX-2 effect. We hypothesize that SE-related morbidity is largely due to activation of microglial EP2 receptors, which modulates production of cytokines that degrade the BBB.
Our specific aims are: 1. To test the hypothesis that activated microglia rather than inflammatory monocytes are responsible for EP2- regulated BBB breakdown after seizures; 2. To test the hypothesis that IL- -secreted mediator and Epac the major EP2 signaling pathway that degrades the integrity of the blood-brain barrier after SE; 3. To determine whether EP2 activation plays a dominant role in the development of epilepsy or its comorbidities after SE. To address these aims we employ in vitro culture models of the BBB and in vivo SE models with cell- specific conditional knockouts of EP2. Immunohistochemical, western blot, FACS, qRT-PCR, EEG and behavioral assays are performed.

Public Health Relevance

Status epilepticus, consisting of a continuous seizure that lasts longer than 5-30 min, is a life-threatening neurological emergency often refractory to available treatment options. The ensuing brain inflammation and breakdown of the blood-brain barrier are responsible for substantial morbidity, in part mediated by the EP2 receptor for prostaglandin E2. Our work should identify the molecular and cellular basis for EP2's role.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS097776-02
Application #
9272954
Study Section
Clinical Neuroplasticity and Neurotransmitters Study Section (CNNT)
Program Officer
Leenders, Miriam
Project Start
2016-05-15
Project End
2021-04-30
Budget Start
2017-05-01
Budget End
2018-04-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Emory University
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
066469933
City
Atlanta
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30322
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