OBJECTIVE: As axon outgrowth and dentate granule cell neurogenesis are hallmarks of hippocampal development and are also the two morphologic changes in the structure of the dentate gyrus after status epilepticus (SE), we hypothesized that molecules involved in normal development may also play a role during epileptogenesis. METHOD: Using in situ hybridization, we have characterized mRNA expression of myocyte-specific enhancer binding factor 2C (MEF2C) in the dentate gyrus during development (P0, P3, P7, P14 and P28) and at multiple time points following pilocarpine-induced SE (3, 7, 14, 28 days after SE). RESULTS: It was demonstrated that MEF2C is up-regulated during development (P0, P3, P7, P14 and P28) and in the adult rat dentate gyrus following SE (3, 7, 14, 28 days after SE). CONCLUSIONS: The molecules controlling cell-fate decisions in the developing dentate gyrus are also operative during epileptogenesis.
rat; hippocampus; epilepsy; status epilepticus; MEF2C
