Modulation of epileptogenesis through transplantation of human mesenchymal stem cells with or without GDNF release

Abstract Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder causing uncontrollable seizures. One-third of patients do not respond to current medications, necessitating new treatments. This study targeted epileptogenesis, the process leading to chronic epilepsy, using human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) i...

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Main Authors: Eliška Waloschková, Esbjörn Melin, Camille Baumlin, My Andersson, Alberto Martínez Serrano, Merab Kokaia, Marco Ledri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-08-01
Series:Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-025-05853-z
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author Eliška Waloschková
Esbjörn Melin
Camille Baumlin
My Andersson
Alberto Martínez Serrano
Merab Kokaia
Marco Ledri
author_facet Eliška Waloschková
Esbjörn Melin
Camille Baumlin
My Andersson
Alberto Martínez Serrano
Merab Kokaia
Marco Ledri
author_sort Eliška Waloschková
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder causing uncontrollable seizures. One-third of patients do not respond to current medications, necessitating new treatments. This study targeted epileptogenesis, the process leading to chronic epilepsy, using human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in a rodent model. MSC transplantation can positively affect neurodegenerative diseases by modifying inflammation. Additionally, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) may counteract seizures and tissue damage. We transplanted naïve immortalized human adipose-derived MSCs (Ctrl-MSCs) or GDNF-releasing MSCs (GDNF-MSCs, releasing 588.67 ± 20.14 pg/ml/24 h GDNF) into rat hippocampi after kainic acid-induced status epilepticus. Seizure progression was monitored for 5 weeks using video-EEG, behavioral assessments, and histological analysis. Both cell types influenced epileptogenesis. GDNF-MSCs delayed early-stage seizures, while Ctrl-MSCs reduced seizure frequency in later stages. Differences emerged in seizure development and cumulative seizure count, with Ctrl-MSCs showing significant seizure-attenuating effects. Behavioral differences were also noted: Ctrl-MSCs improved short-term memory and reduced anxiety, whereas GDNF-MSCs primarily reduced anxiety without significantly improving memory. This study highlights the therapeutic potential of MSCs, with or without GDNF, in modulating epileptogenesis, offering promising avenues for future clinical treatments.
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spelling doaj-art-ec24295629d240fd9f3f6e483cccd7c32025-08-24T11:12:36ZengSpringerCellular and Molecular Life Sciences1420-90712025-08-0182111710.1007/s00018-025-05853-zModulation of epileptogenesis through transplantation of human mesenchymal stem cells with or without GDNF releaseEliška Waloschková0Esbjörn Melin1Camille Baumlin2My Andersson3Alberto Martínez Serrano4Merab Kokaia5Marco Ledri6Experimental Epilepsy Group, Epilepsy Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University HospitalExperimental Epilepsy Group, Epilepsy Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University HospitalDepartment of Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Center of Molecular Biology Severo Ochoa (UAM-CSIC), Universidad Autónoma de MadridCellular Neurophysiology and Epilepsy Group, Epilepsy Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University HospitalDepartment of Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Center of Molecular Biology Severo Ochoa (UAM-CSIC), Universidad Autónoma de MadridExperimental Epilepsy Group, Epilepsy Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University HospitalMolecular Neurophysiology and Epilepsy Group, Epilepsy Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University HospitalAbstract Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder causing uncontrollable seizures. One-third of patients do not respond to current medications, necessitating new treatments. This study targeted epileptogenesis, the process leading to chronic epilepsy, using human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in a rodent model. MSC transplantation can positively affect neurodegenerative diseases by modifying inflammation. Additionally, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) may counteract seizures and tissue damage. We transplanted naïve immortalized human adipose-derived MSCs (Ctrl-MSCs) or GDNF-releasing MSCs (GDNF-MSCs, releasing 588.67 ± 20.14 pg/ml/24 h GDNF) into rat hippocampi after kainic acid-induced status epilepticus. Seizure progression was monitored for 5 weeks using video-EEG, behavioral assessments, and histological analysis. Both cell types influenced epileptogenesis. GDNF-MSCs delayed early-stage seizures, while Ctrl-MSCs reduced seizure frequency in later stages. Differences emerged in seizure development and cumulative seizure count, with Ctrl-MSCs showing significant seizure-attenuating effects. Behavioral differences were also noted: Ctrl-MSCs improved short-term memory and reduced anxiety, whereas GDNF-MSCs primarily reduced anxiety without significantly improving memory. This study highlights the therapeutic potential of MSCs, with or without GDNF, in modulating epileptogenesis, offering promising avenues for future clinical treatments.https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-025-05853-zHuman mesenchymal stem cellsGDNFEpileptogenesisEpilepsyInflammation
spellingShingle Eliška Waloschková
Esbjörn Melin
Camille Baumlin
My Andersson
Alberto Martínez Serrano
Merab Kokaia
Marco Ledri
Modulation of epileptogenesis through transplantation of human mesenchymal stem cells with or without GDNF release
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences
Human mesenchymal stem cells
GDNF
Epileptogenesis
Epilepsy
Inflammation
title Modulation of epileptogenesis through transplantation of human mesenchymal stem cells with or without GDNF release
title_full Modulation of epileptogenesis through transplantation of human mesenchymal stem cells with or without GDNF release
title_fullStr Modulation of epileptogenesis through transplantation of human mesenchymal stem cells with or without GDNF release
title_full_unstemmed Modulation of epileptogenesis through transplantation of human mesenchymal stem cells with or without GDNF release
title_short Modulation of epileptogenesis through transplantation of human mesenchymal stem cells with or without GDNF release
title_sort modulation of epileptogenesis through transplantation of human mesenchymal stem cells with or without gdnf release
topic Human mesenchymal stem cells
GDNF
Epileptogenesis
Epilepsy
Inflammation
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-025-05853-z
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