Expression of glutamine synthetase in balloon cells: a basis of their antiepileptic role?

Abstract

Glutamine synthetase is an enzyme involved in the clearance of glutamate, the most potent excitatory neurotransmitter. We studied the immunohistochemical expression of glutamine synthetase in neocortical samples from 5 children who underwent surgery for pharmacoresistant epilepsy and a histological diagnosis of focal cortical dysplasia IIb. In all cases, balloon cells, but not dysmorphic neurons, were immunopositive for glutamine synthetase. This finding suggests that balloon cells can be involved in the neutralization of glutamate and play a protective anti-seizure role.

• Authors: Anna Maria Buccoliero, Carmen Barba, Flavio Giordano, Gianna Baroni, Lorenzo Genitori, Renzo Guerrini, Gian Luigi Taddei
• Journal: Clinical neuropathology (Clin Neuropathol) 2015 Mar-Apr Vol. 34 Issue 2 Pg. 83-8 ISSN: 0722-5091 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 25345470 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Glutamate-Ammonia Ligase

Topics

• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Epilepsy (enzymology, etiology)
• Female
• Glutamate-Ammonia Ligase (analysis, biosynthesis)
• Humans
• Male
• Malformations of Cortical Development, Group I (complications, enzymology, pathology)