@article{bd583ee5-b6ea-419a-8724-53d5f063726b,
  abstract     = {{<p>Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder causing uncontrollable seizures. One-third of patients do not respond to current medications, necessitating new treatments. This study targeted epileptogenesis, the process leading to chronic epilepsy, using human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in a rodent model. MSC transplantation can positively affect neurodegenerative diseases by modifying inflammation. Additionally, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) may counteract seizures and tissue damage. We transplanted naïve immortalized human adipose-derived MSCs (Ctrl-MSCs) or GDNF-releasing MSCs (GDNF-MSCs, releasing 588.67 ± 20.14 pg/ml/24 h GDNF) into rat hippocampi after kainic acid-induced status epilepticus. Seizure progression was monitored for 5 weeks using video-EEG, behavioral assessments, and histological analysis. Both cell types influenced epileptogenesis. GDNF-MSCs delayed early-stage seizures, while Ctrl-MSCs reduced seizure frequency in later stages. Differences emerged in seizure development and cumulative seizure count, with Ctrl-MSCs showing significant seizure-attenuating effects. Behavioral differences were also noted: Ctrl-MSCs improved short-term memory and reduced anxiety, whereas GDNF-MSCs primarily reduced anxiety without significantly improving memory. This study highlights the therapeutic potential of MSCs, with or without GDNF, in modulating epileptogenesis, offering promising avenues for future clinical treatments.</p>}},
  author       = {{Waloschková, Eliška and Melin, Esbjörn and Baumlin, Camille and Andersson, My and Serrano, Alberto Martínez and Kokaia, Merab and Ledri, Marco}},
  issn         = {{1420-682X}},
  keywords     = {{Epilepsy; Epileptogenesis; GDNF; Human mesenchymal stem cells; Inflammation}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{1--17}},
  publisher    = {{Birkhäuser}},
  series       = {{Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences}},
  title        = {{Modulation of epileptogenesis through transplantation of human mesenchymal stem cells with or without GDNF release}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00018-025-05853-z}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/s00018-025-05853-z}},
  volume       = {{82}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}