Increased expression of annexin A7 in temporal lobe tissue of patients with refractory epilepsy
Sheng-nian Zhou1*, Cheng-shan Li1*, Li-qing Liu2, Yan Li1, Xue-feng Wang3 and Lan Shen3
1Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China, 2Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China and 3Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
*Both authors (Sheng-nian Zhou and Cheng-shan Li) contributed equally to the paper.
Offprint requests to: Sheng-nian Zhou, Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China. e-mail: zhoushengnian126@126.com
Summary. Annexin A7 is a member of the family of annexins, which are thought to function in the regulation of calcium homeostasis and the fusion of vesicles. Refractory epilepsy may be related to the imbalance of calcium homeostasis. Our aims are to investigate the expression of Annexin A7 in epileptic brains in comparison with human controls and to explore Annexin A7’s possible role in refractory epilepsy. We examined the expression of Annexin A7 via immunohistochemistry, double-label immunofluorescence and western blot. The expression of Annexin A7 was shown to be significantly increased in patients with refractory epilepsy. Double-label immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy disclosed Annexin A7 immunoreactivity in the neurons, which were recognized by the antibody of neuron specific enolase (NSE). The result showed that Annexin A7 may be involved in the pathophysiology of refractory epilepsy and may play a role in developing and maintaining the epilepsy. Histol Histopathol 26, 571-579 (2011)
Key words: Annexin A7, Refractory epilepsy, Calcium homeostasis, Pathogenetic mechanisms, Human brain
DOI: 10.14670/HH-26.571