Juan Manuel Encinas

Induction of Proinflammatory Neural Reactive Stem Cells by Seizures

Adult neurogenesis persists in the adult hippocampus of most mammals due to the presence of multipotent neural stem cells (NSCs). Hippocampal neurogenesis is involved in a range of cognitive functions and is tightly regulated by neuronal activity. NSCs respond promptly to physiological and pathological stimuli altering their neurogenic and gliogenic potential. For instance, seizures induce NSCs to convert into reactive NSCs (React-NSCs) which stop producing new neurons and become proinflammatory via interleukin 1b (IL-1b) expression. Further, we have discovered that ATP and EGFR are two signaling pathways involved in the induction of React-NSCs. Our results unveil novel properties of NSCs and provide cues for potential therapeutic strategies against epilepsy focused on preserving neurogenesis.