Astrocyte Fabp7 modulates seizure threshold and activity-dependent gene expression in mouse brain

Patients with epilepsy often experience increased frequency of seizures at night. Given the crucial role glial cells play in modulating neuronal excitability, we hypothesize that circadian changes in glia may affect changes in seizure threshold. Fatty acid binding protein 7 (Fabp7) is expressed in brain astrocytes and is involved in the transport of fatty acids, signal transduction, and gene transcription. Its mRNA expression levels rise and fall in a circadian rhythm and is necessary for normal sleep regulation. We examined if Fabp7 influences electrically induced seizure threshold and differential gene expression in wild type (WT) vs. Fabp7 knockout (KO) mice with and without seizure. Male C57/BL6N (WT) and KO mice were maintained on a 12/12 hour light/dark cycle. Seizure thresholds were measured by administering a regularly increasing, once per day, electroshock stimulus. Seizure type, either general (GEST) or maximal (MEST) electroshock seizure threshold, was determined by the mouse’s behavioral and motor response to the stimulus. Hippocampal/cortical tissue was taken at the time of MEST for mRNA-Seq / differential expression (DE) analysis.