Expression and significance of NKCC1, KCC2 and mTOR pathway associated protein 4E-BP1 in post-traumatic epilepsy

Objective To investigagte the expression and significance of NA+-K+-2CL- co-transporter (NKCC1), K+-CL- co-transporter (KCC2), which are located on the neuronal membrane, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) associated protein 4E blinding protein 1 (4E-BP1), which is located in cytoplasm of neuron, in post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE). Methods To collect 14 postoperative brain tissue specimens of post-traumatic epilepsy patients admitted to our hospital from 2010 to 2015 as the experiment group; 8 cases of normal brain tissue as the control group. And detect the expression of NKCC1, KCC2 and 4E-BP1 both in 14 cases of PTE tissue and 8 cases of normal brain tissue by Western blot and RT-PCR. Results The content of NKCC1 and 4E-BP1 in PTE was higher than that in normal brain tissue (P<0.05) by Western blot and RT-PCR; while the content of KCC2 was opposite (P<0.05). Besides, in PTE the ratio of NKCC1 to KCC2 was higher (1.29±0.11), compared to normal brain tissue (0.96±0.26) (P<0.05). Conclusion Abnormal expression of NKCC1, KCC2 and mTOR associated protein 4E-BP1 may be an important molecular mechanism of the histological changes of brain, after traumatic brain injured, and repeated seizures. Key words: Post-traumatic epilepsy; 4E blinding protein 1; NA+-K+-2CL- co-transporter; K+-CL- co-transporter