Astroglial connexins in epileptogenesis.

Ting-Ting Yang, Feng Qian, Lian Liu, Xiao-Chun Peng, Jiang-Rong Huang, Bo-Xu Ren, Feng-Ru Tang

Seizure 2021 Jan

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The astroglial network connected through gap junctions assembling from connexins physiologically balances the concentrations of ions and neurotransmitters around neurons. Astrocytic dysfunction has been associated with many neurological disorders including epilepsy. Dissociated gap junctions result in the increased activity of connexin hemichannels which triggers brain pathophysiological changes. Previous studies in patients and animal models of epilepsy indicate that the reduced gap junction coupling from assembled connexin hemichannels in the astrocytes may play an important role in epileptogenesis. This abnormal cell-to-cell communication is now emerging as an important feature of brain pathologies and being considered as a novel therapeutic target for controlling epileptogenesis. In particular, candidate drugs with ability of inhibition of connexin hemichannel activity and enhancement of gap junction formation in astrocytes should be explored to prevent epileptogenesis and control epilepsy. Copyright © 2020 British Epilepsy Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Citation

Ting-Ting Yang, Feng Qian, Lian Liu, Xiao-Chun Peng, Jiang-Rong Huang, Bo-Xu Ren, Feng-Ru Tang. Astroglial connexins in epileptogenesis. Seizure. 2021 Jan;84:122-128