Modulation of gene transcription promoted by mesenchymal stem cells on cation-chloride cotransporter NKCC1 in experimental epilepsy

Introduction: temporal lobe epilepsy is a disorder in which synchronized and rhythmic neural firing causes spontaneous recurrent seizures (1). Refractoriness due to this condition reaches 30% of its carriers (2,3). The search for therapeutic alternatives to help cope with this disease are extremely important. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) appear as a plausible treatment option, as they present a less invasive approach and due to their niche modulating character (4,5). Objectives: this study aimed to quantify the gene expression of cation-chloride cotransporter NKCC1 encoded by the SLC12A2 gene in the encephalic tissue of pilocarpine-induced epileptic rats (6,7). Design: experimental study, brain institute of Rio Grande do Sul. Methods: MSCs were obtained from the bone marrow of Wistar rats, cultured, and transplanted through intravenous injection into control and epileptic Wistar rats. The rats were divided between control group, MSCs treated group, and pilocarpine group, containing 8 individuals each (8). Expression analysis was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: for both 1 day and 7 days post-transplantation, an increase in the NKCC1 expression in both control and epileptic treated groups as compared to its expression in untreated epileptic and control groups with special attention to the amygdala, the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. Conclusion: MSCs stimulated expression of NKCC1 in brain structures of rats induced by pilocarpine to epilepsy. This corroborates the hypothesis of neuroprotective effects and modulating properties of stem cells and may point to more mechanisms for investigating the functioning and collaboration of these cells as a treatment for epilepsy.