Células-tronco pluripotentes induzidas (iPSCs) de indivíduos com displasia cortical focal do tipo Taylor : buscando a compreensão da patogênese durante o processo de neurodiferenciação

Abstract

Malformations of cortical development (MDC) include a wide spectrum of Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders related to a complex process of cortex formation. Focal Cortical Dysplasia (FCD), a common type of MDC, is reported as the most frequent structural brain lesion found in children with refractory epilepsy to drug treatment undergoing surgery. Surgical treatment, with complete resection of the dysplastic lesion, is able to stop the seizure resistant to antiepileptic drugs, improving the individual's quality of life and reducing morbidity. FCD is characterized by multiple types of alterations both in cortical architecture and in cytologic abnormalities and it’s pathogenesis is still unknown. In 2004, Palmini et al. classified DCF according to white matter and cortical layer architecture. Taylor-type FCD is characterized by cortical laminar disorganization and dysplastic neurons, compromising the organization of the cortex into six-layered traditionally known. Understanding the mechanisms of action of neurological diseases has involved the use of animal models. However, in the case of brain development of epileptic syndromes, many decades of study have failed to provide a conclusive insight of their mechanisms. Modeling neurological diseases is especially attractive for the application of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), making possible to derive specific neurons for in vitro studies, contributing to the investigation of the disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible differences in neurogenesis and neurodifferentiation of iPSCs from fibroblasts of individuals affected by Taylor-type FCD and normal individuals. iPSCs were generated from skin fibroblasts of two FCD individuals and two healthy individuals, to form the control group. The reprogramming was done through the fibroblasts exposure to viral vectors containing the OCT4, KLF4, SOX2, and c-MYC genes and the clones were characterized by immunohistochemistry. iPSCs were neurodifferentiated and analyzed at the 14th, 22nd and 35th days. We also analyzed the brain tissue, fibroblasts and iPSCs cells from the individuals. Through qRT-PCR, the expression of 14 genes involved in the neurodifferentiation process were quantified. These genes are associated to neural migration and differentiation, synaptic aspects and Notch signaling. Both individuals were diagnosed with Taylor-type FCD, more specifically, type IIb. In general, individuals with dysplasia presented alterations in the relative quantification in the most genes analyzed compared to control individuals in all processes and study groups (fibroblasts, brain tissue, iPSCs 8 and neurodifferentiated cells). The genes involved in the neural migration and differentiation processes, as well as synaptic aspects and Notch signaling presented quite altered expressions in dysplastic individuals, with the beginning of the majority processes early, before the physiologically typical period. From the found results, we can infer that during the embryonic period, in the neurogenesis and neurodifferentiation process, individuals affected by the disease, possibly presents neuroblasts more sensitive to stimulus, presenting differences in the development of the Nervous System. These changes may be directly related to dysplastic brain development. This work extends the understanding of embryonic neurodevelopment, open up opportunities to further investigations of the involvement and influence of each genes analyzed in the pathogenesis of FCD, as well as in each mechanism of action involved in the brain development.