We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Pathophysiologic characteristics of balloon cells in cortical dysplasia.
- Authors
Hyun-Sik Oh; Min-Cheol Lee; Hyung-Seok Kim; Ji-Shin Lee; Jae-Hyuk Lee; Myeong-Kyu Kim; Young-Jong Woo; Jae-Hyoo Kim; Hyoung-Ihl Kim
- Abstract
Abstract Objects  Balloon cells are histopathological hallmarks of cortical malformations, i.e., focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) of the Taylor type or the cortical tubers of tuberous sclerosis, and they are believed to be the epileptogenic substrate and cause therapeutic drug resistant epilepsy in man. This study was carried out to investigate the developmental histogenesis and epileptogenesis of balloon cells in FCD. Materials and methods  We used an immunohistochemical approach to examine the expressions of primitive neuroepithelial cell antigens (CD34, nestin, and vimentin), ionotrophic glutamate receptor subunits (NR1, NR2A/B, GluR1, GluR2, GluR3, GluR4, and GluR5/6/7), and P-glycoprotein in balloon cells from FCD and normal cerebral cortex epileptogenic lesions. Conclusion  Balloon cells presented in clusters or as scattered cells throughout FCD lesions involving the gray and white matter. We found the balloon cells to be classifiable into three subtypes based on glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurofilament protein (NF-L) immunohistochemistry, i.e., as neuronal, astrocytic, and uncommitted. Immunopositivity for nestin, CD34, and vimentin in balloon cells of FCD suggests that they may be derived from the abnormal development and differentiation of neural stem cells. Moreover, it appears that epileptogenesis in cortical dysplasia is partly caused by the upregulations of some glutamate receptor subunit proteins (NR1, NR2A/B, GluR1, and GluR3) in balloon cells and dysplastic neurons. We speculate that the presence of the drug resistance protein P-glycoprotein in balloon cells might explain medically refractory epilepsy in FCD.
- Subjects
DYSPLASIA; SEIZURES (Medicine); DEVELOPMENTAL disabilities; EPILEPSY
- Publication
Child's Nervous System, 2008, Vol 24, Issue 2, p175
- ISSN
0256-7040
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s00381-007-0453-z