Progesterone receptor membrane component 2 regulates the neuronal activity and participates in epileptic seizures in experimental mice

Abstract

It was found the expression of progesterone receptor membrane component 2 (PGRMC2) in the histone of epileptic mice was lower than that of normal mice. In this study, we found by the immunofluorescence technique, PGRMC2 was expressed in both astrocytes and neurons of the mouse hippocampus. In addition, the seizure latency and seizure grade of mice in each group were observed after stereotactic injection of the PGRMC2 knockdown virus, PGRMC2 overexpression lentivirus, and related null virus into the hippocampus of mice. It was found that the seizure latency of mice in the PTZ + siPGRMC2 group was prolonged compared with the null virus group. The seizure latency was shortened in the PTZ + PGRMC2 group. The number of grade IV and above seizures in the PTZ + siPGRMC2 group was significantly reduced, while the number of grade IV and above seizures in the PTZ + PGRMC2 group was significantly increased. It was found that the nerve cells in the PTZ + siPGRMC2 group were still intact. In the PTZ + PGRMC2 group, the neural cells were damaged, the intercellular space was widened, and the number of cells was reduced. These findings support that PGRMC2 may be involved in epileptic seizures.