Increased protein expression of VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C and their receptors in the temporal neocortex of pharmacoresistant temporal lobe epilepsy patients

J Neuroimmunol. 2019 Mar 15:328:68-72. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2018.12.007. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

Abstract

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) system has been shown to play a crucial role in several neuropathological processes. Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common focal epilepsy type in adult humans. We assessed the protein expression levels of VEGF-A, VEGF-B, and VEGF-C, their specific receptors VEGFR-2 and -3, their accessory receptors neuropilins 1 and 2, and PI3 and Akt kinases, in temporal neocortex from pharmacoresistant TLE (PR-TLE) patients and control subjects by western blotting. All proteins were found to be significantly overexpressed in samples of PR-TLE patients, indicating that the VEGF system contributes to PR-TLE pathogenesis and should be further studied.

Keywords: Neocortex; Pharmacoresistance; Temporal lobe epilepsy; VEGF.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Drug Resistant Epilepsy / metabolism*
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neocortex / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / biosynthesis*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / biosynthesis*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor