Reactive Astrogliosis in Epilepsy -Passive Bystanders no more

Submit Manuscript | http://medcraveonline.com potential proand anti-epileptogenic effects [1,2]. Given that epilepsy can be associated with neurodegeneration, mossy fiber sprouting and changes in receptor and neurotransmitter function, examining the specific role of reactive astrogliosis in epilepsy has been fraught with difficulties. Previously, a transgenic mouse line was generated [3] where deletion of β1-integrin preferentially in radial glia caused reactive astrogliosis marked by hypertrophy and upregulation of astrocyte-specific markers. Using this transgenic mouse line, in the current Journal of Neuroscience study [4], the authors examined whether reactive astrogliosis by itself was sufficient to cause epilepsy, and what the underlying mechanisms would be.