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Is the cell death in mesial temporal sclerosis apoptotic?

Hilmi Uysal1, Isin Unal Cevik, Figen Soylemezoglu

  • 1Department of Neurology, Sevgi Hospital, Hacettepe University Hospitals, Ankara, Turkey.

Epilepsia
|June 7, 2003
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Apoptosis may contribute to neuronal loss in mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) in epilepsy patients. While DNA fragmentation wasn't detected, increased Bax and caspase activity suggest slow apoptotic cell death in MTS.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pathology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) involves hippocampal neuronal loss, often linked to intractable epilepsy.
  • Recurrent seizures in epilepsy may trigger neuronal death via apoptosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate evidence of apoptotic cell death in temporal lobes of drug-resistant epilepsy patients with MTS.
  • To examine the expression of apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, Bax, fractin) and DNA fragmentation.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 15 temporal lobe resections from MTS patients using TUNEL assay and immunohistochemistry.
  • Detection of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-cleaved actin fragment (fractin) expression.

Main Results:

  • Increased Bax immunopositivity and fractin staining (indicating caspase activity) were observed in hippocampal neurons.
  • Bcl-2 was found in remaining neurons and astroglia.
  • No DNA fragmentation (TUNEL assay) or typical apoptotic nuclear morphology was detected.

Conclusions:

  • Apoptosis's role in MTS cell loss remains uncertain; slow cell death may hinder detection.
  • Elevated Bax expression and caspase activation suggest apoptosis might occur slowly in MTS.

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