Conclusion
Taken together, the special expression patterns of LILRB2 signaling pathway in cortical lesions of FCD IIb and TSC implies that it may be involved in the process of epilepsy.
Methods
In this study, we have described the distribution and expression of LILRB2 signaling pathway in cortical lesions of pediatric patients with FCD IIb (n = 15) and TSC (n = 12) relative to age-matched autopsy control samples (CTX, n = 10), respectively. The protein levels of LILRB2 pathway molecules were assessed by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The expression pattern was investigated by immunohistochemistry and double labeling experiment. Spearman correlation analysis to explore the correlation between LILRB2 protein level and seizure frequency.
Results
The protein levels of LILRB2 and its downstream molecules POSH, SHROOM3, ROCK1, ROCK2 were increased in cortices of patients compared to CTX. Protein levels of LILRB2 negatively correlated with the frequency of seizures in FCD IIb and TSC patients, respectively. Moreover, all LILRB2 pathway molecules were strongly expressed in dysmorphic neurons, balloon cells, and giant cells, LILRB2 co-localized with neuron marker and astrocyte marker.