The expression of integrin α2 in the hippocampal neuronal culture model of epilepsy

Object To investigate the expression of integrin α2 and explore its role in the hippocampal neuronal culture model of epilepsy.Methods The hippocampal neurons were isolated from 1-day mouse and cultured in vitro.On the 7th day,the neurons were divided into control group and experimental groups.In experimental groups,3 h Mg2+-free treatment was utilized to mimic status epilepticus injury in vitro.The immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR were used to detect the protein and mRNA expression levels of integrinα2 in control and experimental groups.Results Neuronal cells migrated and formed grid-like network after Mg2+-free treatment.The average optical densities(mean integrated optical density,mean IOD) of integrin α2 protein expression were 0.033 ± 0.005 in control group and 0.084 ± 0.033,0.076 ± 0.018 and 0.077 ± 0.006 at 12,24 and 48 h after Mg2+-free treatment.The protein expression levels of integrin α2 in experimental groups were significantly higher compared with control groups(P 0.05).The protein expression levels of integrin α2 maintained twp folds of normal value during 12-48 h after Mg2+-free treatment.RT-PCR showed that the ratio of optical densities of integrin α2 and β-actin was in control groups,0.316 ± 0.039,0.435 ± 0.067,0.453 ± 0.046 and 0.515 ± 0.054 at 12,24 and 48 h after Mg2+-free treatment.Both of protein and mRNA expression levels of integrin α2 increased significantly in experimental groups at any point-in-time compared with the control group(P 0.05).Conclusions The integrin α2 expression increases in the hippocampal neuronal culture model of epilepsy,suggesting that integrin α2 may participate in epilepsy-induced network reorganization.