H. Jürgen Wenzel

Physiological and Morphological Characterization of Dentate Granule Cells in the p35 Knock-Out Mouse Hippocampus: Evidence for an Epileptic Circuit

There is a high correlation between pediatric epilepsies and neuronal migration disorders. What remains unclear is whether there are intrinsic features of the individual dysplastic cells that give rise to heightened seizure susceptibility, or whether these dysplastic cells contribute to seizure activity by establishing abnormal circuits that alter the balance of inhibition and excitation. Mice lacking a functional p35 gene provide an ideal model in which to address these questions, because these knock-out animals not only exhibit aberrant neuronal migration but also demonstrate spontaneous seizures. Extracellular field recordings from hippocampal slices, characterizing the input-output relationship in the dentate, revealed little difference between wild-type and knock-out mice under both normal and elevated extracellular potassium conditions. However, in the presence of the GABAA antagonist bicuculline, p35 knock-out slices, but not wild-type slices, exhibited prolonged depolarizations in response to stimulation of the perforant path. There were no significant differences in the intrinsic properties of dentate granule cells (i.e., input resistance, time constant, action potential generation) from wild-type versus knock-out mice. However, antidromic activation (mossy fiber stimulation) evoked an excitatory synaptic response in over 65% of granule cells from p35 knock-out slices that was never observed in wild-type slices. Ultrastructural analyses identified morphological substrates for this aberrant excitation: recurrent axon collaterals, abnormal basal dendrites, and mossy fiber terminals forming synapses onto the spines of neighboring granule cells. These studies suggest that granule cells in p35 knock-out mice contribute to seizure activity by forming an abnormal excitatory feedback circuit.

Morphology of cerebral lesions in the Eker rat model of tuberous sclerosis.

Tuberous sclerosis (TSC) is an autosomal dominant disorder, caused by mutations of either the TSC1 or TSC2 gene. Characteristic brain pathologies (including cortical tubers and subependymal hamartomas/giant astrocytomas) are thought to cause epilepsy, as well as other neurological dysfunction. The Eker rat, which carries a spontaneous germline mutation of the TSC2 gene (TSC2+/−), provides a unique animal model in which to study the relationship between TSC cortical pathologies and epilepsy. In the present study, we have analyzed the seizure propensity and histopathological features of a modified Eker rat preparation, in which early postnatal irradiation was employed as a “second hit” stimulus in an attempt to exacerbate cortical malformations and increase seizure propensity. Irradiated Eker rats had a tendency toward lower seizure thresholds (latencies to flurothyl-induced seizures) than seen in non-irradiated Eker rats (significant difference) or irradiated wild-type rats (non-significant difference). The majority of irradiated Eker rats exhibited dysplastic cytomegalic neurons and giant astrocyte-like cells, similar to cytopathologies observed in TSC lesions of patients. The most prominent features in these brains were hamartoma-like lesions involving large eosinophilic cells, similar to giant tuber cells in human TSC. In some cells from these hamartomas, immunocytochemistry revealed features of both neuronal and glial phenotypes, suggesting an undifferentiated or immature cell population. Both normal-appearing and dysmorphic neurons, as well as cells in the hamartomas, exhibited immunopositivity for tuberin, the protein product of the TSC2 gene.

Ubiquitin-Positive Intranuclear Inclusions in Neuronal and Glial Cells in a Mouse Model of the Fragile-X Premutation

Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is an adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder caused by CGG trinucleotide repeat expansions in the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. The neuropathological hallmark of the disease is the presence of ubiquitin-positive intranuclear inclusions in neurons and in astrocytes. Ubiquitin-positive intranuclear inclusions have also been found in the neurons of transgenic mice model carrying an expanded CGG((98)) trinucleotide repeat of human origin but have not previously been described in glial cells. Therefore, we used immunocytochemical methods to determine the pathological features of nuclear and/or cytoplasmic inclusions in astrocytes, Bergmann glia, and neurons, as well as relationships between inclusion patterns, age, and repeat length in CGG knock-in (KI) mice in comparison with wild-type mice. In CGG KI mice, ubiquitin-positive intranuclear inclusions were found in neurons (e.g., pyramidal cells, GABAergic neurons) throughout the brain in cortical and subcortical brain regions; these inclusions increased in number and size with advanced age. Ubiquitin-positive intranuclear inclusions were also present in protoplasmic astrocytes, including Bergmann glia in the cerebellum. The morphology of intranuclear inclusions in CGG KI mice was compared to that of typical inclusions in human neurons and astrocytes in postmortem FXTAS brain tissue. This new finding of previously unreported pathology in astrocytes of CGG KI mice now provides an important mouse model to study astrocyte pathology in human FXTAS.

Structural Consequences of Kcna1 Gene Deletion and Transfer in the Mouse Hippocampus

Purpose: Mice lacking the Kv1.1 potassium channel α subunit encoded by the Kcna1 gene develop recurrent behavioral seizures early in life. We examined the neuropathological consequences of seizure activity in the Kv1.1−/− (knock‐out) mouse, and explored the effects of injecting a viral vector carrying the deleted Kcna1 gene into hippocampal neurons.

Abnormal dendrite and spine morphology in primary visual cortex in the CGG knock-in mouse model of the fragile X premutation

The fragile X mental retardation 1 gene (Fmr1) is polymorphic for CGG trinucleotide repeat number in the 5′‐untranslated region, with repeat lengths <45 associated with typical development and repeat lengths >200 resulting in hypermethylation and transcriptional silencing of the gene and mental retardation in the fragile X Syndrome (FXS). Individuals with CGG repeat expansions between 55 and 200 are carriers of the fragile X premutation (PM). PM carriers show a phenotype that can include anxiety, depression, social phobia, and memory deficits. They are also at risk for developing fragile X–associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), a late onset neurodegenerative disorder characterized by tremor, ataxia, cognitive impairment, and neuropathologic features including intranuclear inclusions in neurons and astrocytes, loss of Purkinje cells, and white matter disease. However, very little is known about dendritic morphology in PM or in FXTAS. Therefore, we carried out a Golgi study of dendritic complexity and dendritic spine morphology in layer II/III pyramidal neurons in primary visual cortex in a knock‐in (KI) mouse model of the PM. These CGG KI mice carry an expanded CGG trinucleotide repeat on Fmr1, and model many features of the PM and FXTAS. Compared to wild‐type (WT) mice, CGG KI mice showed fewer dendritic branches proximal to the soma, reduced total dendritic length, and a higher frequency of longer dendritic spines. The distribution of morphologic spine types (e.g., stubby, mushroom, filopodial) did not differ between WT and KI mice. These findings demonstrate that synaptic circuitry is abnormal in visual cortex of mice used to model the PM, and suggest that such changes may underlie neurologic features found in individuals carrying the PM as well as in individuals with FXTAS.

Are developmental dysplastic lesions epileptogenic

Cortical dysplasia of various types, reflecting abnormalities of brain development, have been closely associated with epileptic activities. Yet, there remains considerable discussion about if/how these structural lesions give rise to seizure phenomenology. Animal models have been used to investigate the cause–effect relationships between aberrant cortical structure and epilepsy. In this article, we discuss three such models: (1) the Eker rat model of tuberous sclerosis, in which a gene mutation gives rise to cortical disorganization and cytologically abnormal cellular elements; (2) the p35 knockout mouse, in which the genetic dysfunction gives rise to compromised cortical organization and lamination, but in which the cellular elements appear normal; and (3) the methylazoxymethanol‐exposed rat, in which time‐specific chemical DNA disruption leads to abnormal patterns of cell formation and migration, resulting in heterotopic neuronal clusters. Integrating data from studies of these animal models with related clinical observations, we propose that the neuropathologic features of these cortical dysplastic lesions are insufficient to determine the seizure‐initiating process. Rather, it is their interaction with a more subtly disrupted cortical “surround” that constitutes the circuitry underlying epileptiform activities as well as seizure propensity and ictogenesis.

Does ketogenic diet alter seizure sensitivity and cell loss following fluid percussion injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) frequently leads to epilepsy. The process of epileptogenesis - the development of that seizure state - is still poorly understood, and effective antiepileptogenic treatments have yet to be identified. The ketogenic diet (KD) has been shown to be effective as an antiepileptic therapy, but has not been extensively tested for its efficacy in preventing the development of the seizure state, and certainly not within the context of TBI-induced epileptogenesis. We have used a rat model of TBI - fluid percussion injury (FPI) - to test the hypothesis that KD treatment is antiepileptogenic and protects the brain from neuronal cell loss following TBI. Rats fed a KD had a higher seizure threshold (longer latency to flurothyl-induced seizure activity) than rats fed a standard diet (SD); this effect was seen when KD was in place at the time of seizure testing (3 and 6 weeks following FPI), but was absent when KD had been replaced by SD at time of testing. FPI caused significant hippocampal cell loss in both KD-fed and SD-fed rats; the degree of cell loss appeared to be reduced by KD treatment before FPI but not after FPI. These results are consistent with prior demonstrations that KD raises seizure threshold, but do not provide support for the hypothesis that KD administered for a limited time directly before or after FPI alters later seizure sensitivity; that is, within the limits of this model and protocol, there is no evidence for KD-induced antiepileptogenesis.

Initiation of epileptiform activity in a rat model of periventricular nodular heterotopia

Purpose:  Periventricular nodular heterotopia (PNH) is, in humans, often associated with difficult‐to‐control epilepsy. However, there is considerable controversy about the role of the PNH in seizure generation and spread. To study this issue, we have used a rat model in which injection of methylazoxymethanol (MAM) into pregnant rat dams produces offspring with nodular heterotopia‐like brain abnormalities.

Dentate Development in Organotypic Hippocampal Slice Cultures from p35 Knockout Mice

Abnormal brain development, induced by genetic influences or resulting from a perinatal trauma, has been recognized as a cause of seizure disorders. To understand how and when these structural abnormalities form, and how they are involved in epileptogenesis, it is important to generate and investigate animal models. We have studied one such model, a mouse in which deletion of the p35 gene (p35–/–) gives rise to both structural disorganization and seizure-like function. We now report that aberrant dentate development can be recognized in the organotypic hippocampal slice culture preparation generated from p35–/– mouse pups. In these p35–/– cultures, an abnormally high proportion of dentate granule cells migrates into the hilus and molecular layer, and develops aberrant dendritic and axonal morphology. In addition, astrocyte formation in the dentate gyrus is disturbed, as is the distribution of GABAergic interneurons. Although the p35–/– brain shows widespread abnormalities, the disorganization of the hippocampal dentate region is particularly intriguing since a similar pathology is often found in hippocampi of temporal lobe epilepsy patients. The abnormal granule cell features occur early in development, and are independent of seizure activity. Further, these aberrant patterns and histopathological features of p35–/– culture preparations closely resemble those observed in p35 knockout mice in vivo. This culture preparation thus provides an experimentally accessible window for studying abnormal developmental factors that can result in seizure propensity.

Acute, but reversible, kainic acid–induced DNA damage in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells of p53-deficient mice

p53 plays an essential role in mediating apoptotic responses to cellular stress, especially DNA damage. In a kainic acid (KA)–induced seizure model in mice, hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells undergo delayed neuronal death at day 3–4 following systemic KA administration. We previously demonstrated that CA1 neurons in p53−/− animals are protected from such apoptotic neuronal loss. However, extensive morphological damage associated with DNA strand breaks in CA1 neurons was found in a fraction of p53−/− animals at earlier time points (8 h to 2 days). No comparable acute damage was observed in wild‐type animals. Stereological counting confirmed that there was no significant loss of CA1 pyramidal cells in p53−/− animals at 7 days post‐KA injection. These results suggest that seizure‐induced DNA strand breaks are accumulated to a greater extent but do not lead to apoptosis in the absence of p53. In wild‐type animals, therefore, p53 appears to stimulate DNA repair and also mediate apoptosis in CA1 neurons in this excitotoxicity model. These results also reflect remarkable plasticity of neurons in recovery from injury.