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Canonical transient receptor potential (TRPC) channels constitute a family of cation channels that exhibit a regional and cell-specific expression pattern throughout the brain. It has been reported previously that TRPC3 channels are effectors of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/trkB signaling pathway. Given the long postulated role of BDNF in epileptogenesis, TRPC3 channels may be a critical component in the underlying pathophysiology of seizure and epilepsy. In this study, we investigated the precise role of TRPC3 channels in pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE).

The role of TRPC3 channels was investigated using TRPC3 knockout (KO) mice and TRPC3-selective inhibitor Pyr3. Video and electroencephalography (EEG) recording of pilocarpine-induced seizures were performed.

We found that genetic ablation of TRPC3 channels reduces behavioral manifestations of seizures and the root-mean-square (RMS) power of SE, indicating a significant contribution of TRPC3 channels to pilocarpine-induced SE. Furthermore, the reduction in SE in TRPC3KO mice is caused by a selective attenuation of pilocarpine-induced theta activity, which dominates both the preictal phase and SE phase. Pyr3 also caused a reduction in the overall RMS power of pilocarpine-induced SE and a selective reduction in the theta activity during SE.

Our results demonstrate that TRPC3 channels unequivocally contribute to pilocarpine-induced SE and could be a novel molecular target for new anticonvulsive drugs.