Abnormal Expression Of Epithelial Membrane Protein-1 In The Brain Tissue Of Patients With Drug-Resistance Epilepsy And Exploration Of Its Role In Drur-Resistance To AEDs

Epithelial membrane protein-1(EMP-1), called Tumor-associated membrane protein (TMP), is the marker of a drug-resistant tumor and take part in the drug-resistant mechanism of tumor, with the relationship of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Because there are some similarities of the pathogenesis between the drug resistance mechanism of tumor and the drug resistance mechanism of epilepsy. EMP1 expression may be connected with the drug-resistance mechanism of epilepsy.Objective: To determine whether there is a difference of epithelial membrane protein-1(EMP-1) expression in patients with drug-resistance epilepsy(DRE) compared to normal controls, and to determine the relationship between EMP-1 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).Methods: We detected EMP-1 by gene scanning and immunohistochemistry staining, comparing the DRE group(n=36) and the control group(n=16), and we investigated the relationship between EMP-1 and EGFR by double-label immunofluorescence staining in the IE group.Results: Expression of EMP-1mRNA was higher in IE per the gene scanning, EMP-1 immunoreactivity was apparent in neurons of IE patients but not in the control group, and the expression of EMP-1 and EGFR occurred in the same neuron.Conclusion: EMP-1 is abnormally expressed in IE. Abnormal expression of EMP-1 can protect EGFR from AEDs and lets EGFR remain its activity, activating the signal pathways, then epilepsy will show resistance to AEDs. So the interaction of EGFR and EMP-1 plays a role in the mechanism of drug resistance in epilepsy. EMP1 maybe cause neurite outgrowth and the remodeling of excited circuit loops to lead to lead to the vicious cycle of epilepsy, with the interaction of other proteins or signal pathways. Otherwise, because EMP1 has the role in the BBC, EMP1 may inhibit AEDs into brain, then epilepsy will become drug-resistance because of the reduction of drug concentration. So EMP1 may be a new gene for drug resistance and a new marker of drug-resistance epilepsy.