Frequency and risk factors of antibody-induced secondary failure of botulinum neurotoxin therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors of neutralizing antibody (NAB)-induced complete secondary treatment failure (cSTF) during long-term botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) treatment in various neurologic indications. METHODS: This monocenter retrospective cohort study analyzed the data of 471 patients started on BoNT therapy between 1995 and 2015. Blood samples of 173 patients were investigated for NABs using the mouse hemidiaphragm test (93 with suspected therapy failure, 80 prospective study participants). The frequency of NAB-cSTF was assessed for various indications: hemifacial spasm, blepharospasm, cervical dystonia, other dystonia, and spasticity. A priori defined potential risk factors for NAB-cSTF were evaluated, and a stepwise binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors. RESULTS: Treatment duration was 9.8 ± 6.2 years (range, 0.5-30 years; adherence, 70.6%) and number of treatment cycles 31.2 ± 22.5 (3-112). Twenty-eight of 471 patients (5.9%) had NAB-cSTF at earliest after 3 and at latest after 103 treatment cycles. None of the 49 patients treated exclusively with incobotulinumtoxinA over 8.4 ± 4.2 (1-14) years developed NAB-cSTF. Independent risk factors for NAB-cSTF were high BoNT dose per treatment, switching between onabotulinumtoxinA and other BoNT formulations (except for switching to incobotulinumtoxinA), and treatment of neck muscles. CONCLUSIONS: We present a follow-up study with the longest duration to date on the incidence of NAB-cSTF in patients treated with various BoNT formulations, including incobotulinumtoxinA. Whereas the overall risk of NAB-cSTF is low across indications and BoNT formulations, our findings underpin the recommendations to use the lowest possible dose particularly in cervical dystonia, and to avoid unnecessary switching between different formulations.

Intrastriatal injection of botulinum neurotoxin-A is not cytotoxic in rat brain - A histological and stereological analysis.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is caused by progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, resulting in a deficiency of dopamine in the striatum and an increased release of acetylcholine by tonically active interneurons. Botulinum neurotoxin-A (BoNT-A) is well known for blocking transmitter release by cholinergic presynaptic terminals. Treating striatal hypercholinism by local application of BoNT-A could be a possible new local therapy option of PD. In previous studies of our group, we analyzed the effect of BoNT-A injection into the CPu of 6-OHDA lesioned hemiparkinsonian rats. Our studies showed that BoNT-A application in hemiparkinson rat model is capable of abolishing apomorphine induced rotations for approximately 3 months. Regularly occurring axonal swellings in the BoNT-A infiltrated striata were also discovered, which we named BoNT-A induced varicosities (BiVs). Résumé: Here we investigated the long-term effect of the injection of 1ng BoNT-A into the right CPu of naive Wistar rats on the number of ChAT-ir interneurons as well as on the numeric density and the volumetric size of the BiVs in the CPu. Significant differences in the number of ChAT-ir neurons between the right BoNT-A treated CPu and the left untreated CPu were not detected up to 12 month post BoNT-A injection. The numeric density of BiVs in the treated CPu reached a maximum 3 months after BoNT-A treatment and decreased afterwards, whereas the volume of single BiVs increased steadily throughout the whole time course of the experiment.

Elevation in type I interferons inhibits HCN1 and slows cortical neuronal oscillations.

Central nervous system (CNS) inflammation involves the generation of inducible cytokines such as interferons (IFNs) and alterations in brain activity, yet the interplay of both is not well understood. Here, we show that in vivo elevation of IFNs by viral brain infection reduced hyperpolarization-activated currents (Ih) in cortical pyramidal neurons. In rodent brain slices directly exposed to type I IFNs, the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide (HCN)-gated channel subunit HCN1 was specifically affected. The effect required an intact type I receptor (IFNAR) signaling cascade. Consistent with Ih inhibition, IFNs hyperpolarized the resting membrane potential, shifted the resonance frequency, and increased the membrane impedance. In vivo application of IFN-ß to the rat and to the mouse cerebral cortex reduced the power of higher frequencies in the cortical electroencephalographic activity only in the presence of HCN1. In summary, these findings identify HCN1 channels as a novel neural target for type I IFNs providing the possibility to tune neural responses during the complex event of a CNS inflammation.

Behavioral and structural effects of unilateral intrastriatal injections of botulinum neurotoxin a in the rat model of Parkinson's disease.

Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) inhibits the release of acetylcholine from presynaptic vesicles through its proteinase activity cleaving the SNARE complex. Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with locally increased cholinergic activity in the striatum. Therefore, the present study investigates the effect of unilateral intrastriatal BoNT-A injection in naïve rats on striatal morphology; i.e., the total number of Nissl-stained neurons and the volume of caudate-putamen (CPu) were estimated. Furthermore, stainings for markers of gliosis (glial fibrillary acidic protein) and microglia (Iba1) were performed. In addition, the potential beneficial effects of a unilateral intrastriatal injection of BoNT-A on motor activity in the rat model of hemi-PD were evaluated. Hemi-PD was induced by unilateral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the right medial forebrain bundle. Six weeks later, rats received an ipsilateral intrastriatal injection of BoNT-A. Behaviorally, motor performance was tested. The total number of CPu neurons and the striatal volume were not significantly different between the BoNT-A-injected right and the intact left hemispheres of naïve rats. In hemi-PD rats, intrastriatal BoNT-A abolished apomorphine-induced rotations, increased amphetamine-induced rotations, and tended to improve left forelimb usage. Forced motor function in the accelerod test was not significantly changed by BoNT-A, and open field activity was also unaltered compared with sham treatment. Thus, intrastriatal BoNT-A affects spontaneous motor activity of hemi-PD rats to a minor degree compared with drug-induced motor function. In the future, tests assessing the cognitive and emotional performance should be performed to ascertain finally the potential therapeutic usefulness of intrastriatal BoNT-A for PD.

Elevated levels of S100B, tau and pNFH in cerebrospinal fluid are correlated with subtypes of Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease in the peripheral nervous system. Specific biomarkers for the two most common clinical subtypes of GBS, i.e., acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) and acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) are still missing. The distinctive pathological features of AIDP and AMAN may lead to release of such specific biomarkers including glial markers (calcium-binding astroglial protein, S100B) and axonal damage markers [axoskeletal protein, phosphorylated neurofilament heavy protein (pNFH); cytoskeletal protein, tau], etc. To explore the potentials of biochemical markers for differential diagnosis and evaluation of prognosis of clinical subtypes in GBS, we used ELISA to measure the levels of S100B, tau and pNFH in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the patients with AIDP, AMAN, viral encephalitis and other non-inflammatory neurological disorders (OND), respectively. The values of albumin quotient and IgG index in CSF are significantly higher in AIDP and AMAN than in OND. The levels of S100B, tau and pNFH in serum and CSF are elevated in the patients with AIDP and AMAN compared to OND. The concentrations of these proteins are all higher in CSF than in serum. Increased levels of S100B in CSF at the acute phase are positively correlated with the GBS disability scale scores (GDSs) in AIDP, whereas enhanced levels of tau and pNFH in CSF are positively correlated with the GDSs in AMAN. Increased CSF levels of S100B, tau and pNFH at the acute phase may predict a poor prognosis and evaluate the severity of AIDP or AMAN at plateau and the recovery phase. Elevated levels of pNFH in CSF may be used for differentiating between AMAN and AIDP.

Intracerebrally applied botulinum neurotoxin in experimental neuroscience.

The use of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) for therapeutic purposes in neuromuscular disorders and peripheral hypercholinergic conditions as well as in aesthetic medicine is widespread and common. BoNTs are also able to block the release of a wide range of transmitters from presynaptic boutons. Therefore, application of BoNTs directly in the central nervous system (CNS) is currently under study with respect to basic research and potentially as a new therapeutic strategy of neurological diseases. Investigations concentrate on effects of intracerebral and intraspinal application of BoNTs in rodents on the impact on spinal, nuclear, limbic and cortical neuronal circuits. In animal model first promising BoNT-induced therapeutical benefit has been shown in the treatment of pain, epilepsy, stroke and Parkinson's disease.

Attenuated EAN in TNF-α deficient mice is associated with an altered balance of M1/M2 macrophages.

The role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and its receptors in neuroautoimmune and neuroinflammatory diseases has been controversial. On the basis of our previous studies, we hereby aimed to further clarify TNF-α's mechanism of action and to explore the potential role of TNF-α receptor (TNFR)1 as a therapeutic target in experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN). EAN was induced by immunization with P0 peptide 180-199 in TNF-α knockout (KO) mice and anti-TNFR1 antibodies were used to treat EAN. Particularly, the effects of TNF-α deficiency and TNFR1 blockade on macrophage functions were investigated. The onset of EAN in TNF-α KO mice was markedly later than that in wild type (WT) mice. From day 14 post immunization, the clinical signs of TNF-α KO mice were significantly milder than those of their WT counterparts. Further, we showed that the clinical severity of WT mice treated with anti-TNFR1 antibodies was less severe than that of the control WT mice receiving PBS. Nevertheless, no difference with regard to the clinical signs of EAN or inflammatory infiltration in cauda equina was seen between TNF-α KO and WT mice with EAN after blockade of TNFR1. Although TNF-α deficiency did not alter the proliferation of lymphocytes in response to either antigenic or mitogenic stimuli, it down-regulated the production of interleukin (IL)-12 and nitric oxide (NO), and enhanced the production of IL-10 in macrophages. Increased ratio of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and reduced production of interferon (IFN)-γ in cauda equina infiltrating cells, and elevated levels of IgG2b antibodies against P0 peptide 180-199 in sera were found in TNF-α KO mice with EAN. In conclusion, TNF-α deficiency attenuates EAN via altering the M1/M2 balance of macrophages.

Effects of intrastriatal botulinum neurotoxin A on the behavior of Wistar rats.

Central pathophysiological pathways of basal ganglia dysfunction imply a disturbed interaction of dopaminergic and cholinergic circuits. In Parkinson's disease imbalanced cholinergic hyperactivity prevails in the striatum. As recently shown intrastiatal botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT-A) improves motor function in hemiparkinsonian rats. Before going further steps in using intracerebral BoNT-injections as possible treatment we here explore whether pure BoNT-injections into normal rats' striata affect their cognitive and emotional properties. Wistar rats were injected bilaterally with 1 ng BoNT-A or vehicle (sham injection) into the striatum, whereas a naïve control group was left untreated. Locomotor activity, balance and coordination were assessed in open field and accelerod tests. Anxiety was evaluated in the open field and elevated plus maze. Spatial learning was assessed by radial and water maze tests. Intrastriatal BoNT-A, but also sham injections caused decreased motor activity and impaired balance and motor coordination of rats. Slight working memory deficits were observed in radial maze testing of both BoNT-A and sham injected animals arguing for a consequence of surgery rather than for a specific BoNT-A effect. In contrast, BoNT-A injected animals showed a reduced anxiety in open field and elevated plus maze compared to both sham-treated and naïve controls. As bilateral intrastriatal BoNT-A injections in normal rats do not cause cognitive impairments and reduce anxiety, and previous findings showed improvements of motor function in hemiparkinsonian rats following intrastriatal BoNT-A, it can be argued that intrastriatal BoNT-A could be a new therapeutic approach in Parkinson's disease.

A clear look at the neuroimmunology of multiple sclerosis and beyond.

The term neuroimmunology was first coined to refer to a generic involvement of the immune system in the pathogenesis of neurological diseases, particularly of the central nervous system. Since then, the neuroimmunology spectrum has steadily grown and currently spans from classical autoimmune diseases of the central and peripheral nervous systems to previously unsuspected conditions such as autism spectrum disorders or chronic fatigue syndrome. Multiple sclerosis remains the predominant entity in terms of research efforts and social pressure as well as a good model of organ-specific autoimmune disease with limited therapeutic options. While the fast-pace genome-wide association studies reported a number of genes to be significantly associated with multiple sclerosis, these currently explain only a minor part of disease susceptibility. Further, clinicians are continuously challenged with the clinical classifications of immune-mediated or autoimmune central and peripheral conditions and with other pragmatic questions such as the roles of vaccination and physical therapy. For these reasons the present collection of Autoimmunity Reviews is timely as it will address these major issues related to neuroimmunology.

Overexpression of apolipoprotein E4 increases kainic-acid-induced hippocampal neurodegeneration.

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) has an intricate biological function in modulating immune responses and apoE isoforms exhibit diverse effects on neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory disorders. In the present study, we investigated the individual roles of apoE isoforms in the kainic acid (KA)-induced hippocampal neurodegeneration with focus on immune response and microglia functions. ApoE2, 3 and 4 transgenic mice as well as wild-type (WT) mice were treated with KA by intranasal route. ApoE4 overexpressing mice revealed several peculiarities as compared with other transgenic mice and WT mice, i.e. (1) they had more severe KA-induced seizures than apoE2 and 3 mice, (2) they exhibited neuron loss in hippocampus that was higher than in apoE2, 3 and WT mice, (3) KA administration resulted in higher counts of their head drops in the cross-area of elevated plus-maze, (4) they showed lower KA-induced rearing activity than apoE2 mice in the open-field test, (5) their KA-induced microglial expression of MHC-II and CD86 was elevated compared to apoE3 mice, (6) the KA-induced increase of microglial iNOS was higher than that in the other groups of mice, and (7) the TNF-α and IL-6 expression was decreased 7 days after KA application compared to untreated mice and mice treated 1 day with KA. However, the signaling pathway of NFκB or Akt seemed not to be involved in apoE-isoform dependent susceptibility to KA-induced neurotoxicity. In conclusion, over-expression of apoE4 deteriorated KA-induced hippocampal neurodegeneration in C57BL/6 mice, which might result from a higher up-regulation of microglia activation compared to apoE2 and 3 transgenic mice and WT mice.

Optimizing a rodent model of Parkinson's disease for exploring the effects and mechanisms of deep brain stimulation.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has become a treatment for a growing number of neurological and psychiatric disorders, especially for therapy-refractory Parkinson's disease (PD). However, not all of the symptoms of PD are sufficiently improved in all patients, and side effects may occur. Further progress depends on a deeper insight into the mechanisms of action of DBS in the context of disturbed brain circuits. For this, optimized animal models have to be developed. We review not only charge transfer mechanisms at the electrode/tissue interface and strategies to increase the stimulation's energy-efficiency but also the electrochemical, electrophysiological, biochemical and functional effects of DBS. We introduce a hemi-Parkinsonian rat model for long-term experiments with chronically instrumented rats carrying a backpack stimulator and implanted platinum/iridium electrodes. This model is suitable for (1) elucidating the electrochemical processes at the electrode/tissue interface, (2) analyzing the molecular, cellular and behavioral stimulation effects, (3) testing new target regions for DBS, (4) screening for potential neuroprotective DBS effects, and (5) improving the efficacy and safety of the method. An outlook is given on further developments of experimental DBS, including the use of transgenic animals and the testing of closed-loop systems for the direct on-demand application of electric stimulation.

APOE ε3 attenuates experimental autoimmune neuritis by modulating T cell, macrophage and Schwann cell functions.

Human apolipoprotein E (apoE) is a 34.2kDa glycosylated protein with three isoforms (apoE2, apoE3 and apoE4). Experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN), an animal model for human Guillain-Barré syndrome, is an immune-mediated experimental disorder of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Increased susceptibility to EAN in apoE deficient mice has been previously found. To elucidate the isoform-dependent effects of apoE on EAN, we used human apoE2, E3 and E4 transgenic mice (Tg) immunized with P0 peptide 180-199, as well as T cell proliferation test, macrophage and Schwann cell (SC) cultures to investigate the effects of apoE isoforms on the functions of T cells, macrophages and SCs both under naïve conditions and in EAN. Clinical signs of EAN were most severe in wild type (WT) C57BL/6 mice and apoE4 Tg mice, followed by apoE2 Tg mice and apoE3 Tg mice (WT≈E4>E2>E3, p<0.01). At the nadir of EAN, spleen weight and lymphocyte proliferation were in line with the clinical severity of the disease. Proliferation tests of purified T cells from naive mice stimulated with phytohemagglutinin or interleukin-12 showed isoform-specific differences (WT≈E4>E3≈E2, p<0.01). Macrophages from both naïve and EAN mice produced nitric oxide upon inflammatory stimulation with lipopolysaccharide, interferon-γ, polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid or combinations thereof, in an isoform-dependent manner (WT≈E4>E2>E3, p<0.01). Generalized intervention with 1400W, a specific inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, significantly suppressed the clinical course of EAN in apoE2, E3 and E4 Tg mice and in WT mice. During the recovery stage of disease, the highest expression of CD178 (FasL) on SCs was found in apoE3 Tg mice. Our data support an isoform-dependent effect of apoE on EAN. This might be due to the isoform-specific effects of apoE on functions of T cells, macrophages and SCs, which contribute to the distinct clinical courses of EAN. ApoE3 might not only inhibit the onset and suppress the clinical severity of EAN, but also enhance the termination of immune responses in the PNS.

Differential susceptibility to experimental autoimmune neuritis in Lewis rat strains is associated with T-cell immunity to myelin antigens.

Experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN) is a CD4(+) T-cell-mediated inflammatory demyelinating disease of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) that serves as a model for Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in humans. Various rat strains show different susceptibility to EAN. We examined PNS myelin-induced T- and B-cell responses and cytokine production in order to explore the mechanisms behind different EAN susceptibility in the three Lewis rat strains, Hannover, Charles River, and Taconic. Lewis rats of Hannover and Charles River strains exhibited a higher susceptibility to EAN than Lewis rats of the Taconic strain. The higher susceptibility was associated with increased inflammatory cell infiltrates and major histocompatibility class II expression as well as enhanced mitogenic (phytohemagglutinin-induced) and antigen-specific (P2 peptide 57-81-induced) lymphocyte proliferation compared with the Taconic strain. The Hannover strain also showed increased proinflammatory cytokine (interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α) production in the PNS. Cross-cultures of T cells and macrophages from Hannover and Taconic rats revealed that the Hannover rats exerted the strongest priming function of T cells. In contract, the P2 peptide-induced antibody production was not different among the three Lewis rat strains. In conclusion, the differential susceptibility to EAN of Lewis rat strains is correlated primarily with T-cell immunity to myelin antigens.

Small molecule GSK-3 inhibitors increase neurogenesis of human neural progenitor cells.

Human neural progenitor cells provide a source for cell replacement therapy to treat neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, there is great interest in mechanisms and tools to direct the fate of multipotent progenitor cells during their differentiation to increase the yield of a desired cell type. We tested small molecule inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) for their functionality and their influence on neurogenesis using the human neural progenitor cell line ReNcell VM. Here we report the enhancement of neurogenesis of human neural progenitor cells by treatment with GSK-3 inhibitors. We tested different small molecule inhibitors of GSK-3 i.e. LiCl, sodium-valproate, kenpaullone, indirubin-3-monoxime and SB-216763 for their ability to inhibit GSK-3 in human neural progenitor cells. The highest in situ GSK-3 inhibitory effect of the drugs was found for kenpaullone and SB-216763. Accordingly, kenpaullone and SB-216763 were the only drugs tested in this study to stimulate the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway that is antagonized by GSK-3. Analysis of human neural progenitor differentiation revealed an augmentation of neurogenesis by SB-216763 and kenpaullone, without changing cell cycle exit or cell survival. Small molecule inhibitors of GSK-3 enhance neurogenesis of human neural progenitor cells and may be used to direct the differentiation of neural stem and progenitor cells in therapeutic applications.

Intrastriatal botulinum toxin abolishes pathologic rotational behaviour and induces axonal varicosities in the 6-OHDA rat model of Parkinson's disease.

Central pathophysiological pathways of basal ganglia dysfunction imply a disturbed interaction of dopaminergic and cholinergic circuits. In Parkinson's disease (PD) imbalanced cholinergic hyperactivity prevails in the striatum. Interruption of acetylcholine (ACh) release in the striatum by locally injected botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT-A) has been studied in the rat 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) model of PD (hemi-PD). The hemi-PD was induced by injection of 6-OHDA into the right medial forebrain bundle. Motor dysfunction provoked by apomorphine-induced contralateral rotation was completely reversed for more than 3 months by ipsilateral intrastriatal application of 1-2 ng BoNT-A. Interestingly, BoNT-A injected alone into the right striatum of naïve rats caused a slight transient ipsilateral apomorphine-induced rotation, which lasted only for about one month. Immunohistochemically, large axonal swellings appeared within the striatum injected with BoNT-A, which we tentatively named BoNT-A-induced varicosities. They contained either choline acetyltransferase or tyrosine hydroxylase. These findings suggest a selective inhibition of evoked release of ACh by locally applied BoNT-A. Intrastriatal application of BoNT-A may antagonize localized relative functional disinhibited hypercholinergic activity in neurodegenerative diseases such as PD avoiding side effects of systemic anti-cholinergic treatment.

ADAM17 overexpression promotes angiogenesis by increasing blood vessel sprouting and pericyte number during brain microvessel development.

The angiogenic process is precisely regulated by different molecular mechanisms, with a balance between stimulatory and inhibitory factors in embryonic development. Transmembrane proteins of the ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) family play a critical role in embryogenesis and are involved in protein ectodomain shedding, as well as cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. In the present study, we found that ADAM17 is expressed spatiotemporally in the tectal layers during chicken embryonic development. To investigate the effect of ADAM17 overexpression on angiogenesis, chicken ADAM17 plasmids were transfected into the developing tectum in vivo by electroporation. Results showed that overexpression of ADAM17 induces morphological changes of brain microvessels, such as an increase in diameter, of capillary sprouting from radial microvessels and an increase in the number of pericytes, but not of endothelial cells. Our data suggest that overexpression of ADAM17 in the developing tectum promotes angiogenesis by increasing the number of pericytes and capillary sprouting in the radial vessels.

Animal models of multiple sclerosis--potentials and limitations.

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is still the most widely accepted animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Different types of EAE have been developed in order to investigate pathogenetic, clinical and therapeutic aspects of the heterogenic human disease. Generally, investigations in EAE are more suitable for the analysis of immunogenetic elements (major histocompatibility complex restriction and candidate risk genes) and for the study of histopathological features (inflammation, demyelination and degeneration) of the disease than for screening of new treatments. Recent studies in new EAE models, especially in transgenic ones, have in connection with new analytical techniques such as microarray assays provided a deeper insight into the pathogenic cellular and molecular mechanisms of EAE and potentially of MS. For example, it was possible to better delineate the role of soluble pro-inflammatory (tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ and interleukins 1, 12 and 23), anti-inflammatory (transforming growth factor-ß and interleukins 4, 10, 27 and 35) and neurotrophic factors (ciliary neurotrophic factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor). Also, the regulatory and effector functions of distinct immune cell subpopulations such as CD4+ Th1, Th2, Th3 and Th17 cells, CD4+FoxP3+ Treg cells, CD8+ Tc1 and Tc2, B cells and γδ+ T cells have been disclosed in more detail. The new insights may help to identify novel targets for the treatment of MS. However, translation of the experimental results into the clinical practice requires prudence and great caution.

Kainic acid-induced microglial activation is attenuated in aged interleukin-18 deficient mice.

BACKGROUND: Previously, we found that interleukin (IL)-18 deficiency aggravates kainic acid (KA)-induced hippocampal neurodegeneration in young C57BL/6 mice due to an over-compensation by IL-12. Additionally, IL-18 participates in fundamental inflammatory processes that increase during aging. In the present study, we were interested in the role of IL-18 in KA-induced neurodegeneration in aged female C57BL/6 mice. METHODS: Fifteen aged female IL-18 knockout (KO) and 15 age-matched wild-type (WT) mice (18 to 19 months old) were treated with KA at a dose of 25 mg/kg body weight intranasally. Seizure activities and behavioral changes were rated using a 6-point scoring system and open-field test, respectively. Seven days after KA treatment, degenerating neurons were detected by Nissl's method and Fluoro-Jade B staining; and microglial activation was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. RESULTS: Aged female IL-18 KO and WT mice showed similar responses to treatment with KA as demonstrated by comparable seizure activities, behavioral changes and neuronal cell death. However, aged female IL-18 KO mice failed to exhibit the strong microglial activation shown in WT mice. Interestingly, even though the number of activated microglia was less in KA-treated IL-18 KO mice than in KA-treated WT mice, the proportion of microglia that expressed the cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, IL-6 and IL-10 was higher in KA-treated IL-18 KO mice. CONCLUSION: Deficiency of IL-18 attenuates microglial activation after KA-induced excitotoxicity in aged brain, while the net effects of IL-18 deficiency are balanced by the enhancement of other cytokines, such as TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-10.