KEAP1 inhibition is neuroprotective and suppresses the development of epilepsy

Tawfeeq Shekh-Ahmad, Ramona Eckel, Sharadha Dayalan Naidu, Maureen Higgins, Masayuki Yamamoto, Albena T. DInkova-Kostova, Stjepana Kovac, Andrey Y. Abramov, Matthew C. Walker*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

99 Scopus citations

Abstract

Hippocampal sclerosis is a common acquired disease that is a major cause of drug-resistant epilepsy. A mechanism that has been proposed to lead from brain insult to hippocampal sclerosis is the excessive generation of reactive oxygen species, and consequent mitochondrial failure. Here we use a novel strategy to increase endogenous antioxidant defences using RTA 408, which we show activates nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2, encoded by NFE2L2) through inhibition of kelch like ECH associated protein 1 (KEAP1) through its primary sensor C151. Activation of Nrf2 with RTA 408 inhibited reactive oxygen species production, mitochondrial depolarization and cell death in an in vitro model of seizure-like activity. RTA 408 given after status epilepticus in vivo increased ATP, prevented neuronal death, and dramatically reduced (by 94%) the frequency of late spontaneous seizures for at least 4 months following status epilepticus. Thus, acute KEAP1 inhibition following status epilepticus exerts a neuroprotective and disease-modifying effect, supporting the hypothesis that reactive oxygen species generation is a key event in the development of epilepsy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1390-1403
Number of pages14
JournalBrain
Volume141
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 May 2018
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) (2018). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Guarantors of Brain. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: [email protected].

Keywords

  • Nrf2-KEAP1 pathway
  • epilepsy
  • epileptogenesis
  • mitochondrial dysfunction
  • oxidative stress

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