Astrocyte-derived stanniocalcin-1 orchestrates epileptogenesis through NF-κB-dependent neuroinflammation

Background: This study aimed to investigate the expression pattern of astrocyte-derived STC1 in TLE and elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which STC1 regulates neuroinflammation and seizures through the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Methods: A TLE model was established by intrahippocampal injection of kainic acid (KA) in mice. STC1 expression levels and cellular localization in the hippocampus of TLE mice were examined. Adeno-associated virus-mediated gene overexpression and shRNA knockdown approaches were employed to investigate the effects of STC1 on neuroinflammatory responses, neuronal survival, and seizure activity. qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence methods were further utilized to evaluate inflammatory cytokine levels and NF-κB signaling pathway activity.

Results: STC1 expression was upregulated in hippocampal tissues of TLE mice, with double immunofluorescence showing STC1 predominantly localized in GFAP-positive reactive astrocytes. STC1 overexpression significantly exacerbated KA-induced neuroinflammation, along with enhanced microglial activation. STC1 knockdown attenuated neuroinflammatory responses. Nissl staining and NeuN immunohistochemistry confirmed that STC1 aggravated KA-induced neuronal loss. STC1 overexpression promoted p65 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation, activating the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Conclusion: This study reveals the molecular mechanism by which astrocyte-derived STC1 promotes TLE-associated neuroinflammation and neuronal injury through activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, elucidating the crucial role of the astrocyte-STC1-NF-κB axis in epileptogenesis.

NF-κB; Stanniocalcin-1 (STC1); TLE; astrocyte activation; neuroinflammation.