Role of HMGB1/TLR4 and IL-1β/IL-1R1 Signaling Pathways in Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a chronic disorder of the nervous system characterized by recurrent seizures. Inflammation is one of the six major causes of epilepsy, and its role in the pathogenesis of epilepsy is gaining increasing attention. Two signaling pathways, the high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1)/toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)/interleukin-1 receptor 1 (IL-1R1) pathways, have become the focus of research in recent years. These two signaling pathways have potential as biomarkers in the prediction, prognosis, and targeted therapy of epilepsy. This review focuses on the association between epilepsy and the neuroinflammatory responses mediated by these two signaling pathways. We hope to contribute further in-depth studies on the role of HMGB1/TLR4 and IL-1β/IL-1R1 signaling in epileptogenesis and provide insights into the development of specific agents targeting these two pathways.

Introduction

Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disease, with a worldwide annual incidence and a prevalence rate of 50 in 100,000 and 700 in 100,000, respectively (1). Approximately 70 million people suffer from epilepsy (1, 2). Seizures seriously affect a patient's physical and mental health and create an economic burden on his family and society as a whole. Although anti-seizure medications have been widely used, approximately one-third of patients suffer from drug-refractory epilepsy. Surgery can be performed, but some patients still have poor postoperative outcomes (3). Based on the current situation, it is necessary to explore new mechanisms of epileptogenesis to develop novel therapeutic targets.

The mechanisms of epilepsy are complex, and the neuroinflammatory response is closely related to epilepsy. Inflammatory factors can affect the electrical activity of neurons and glial cells, in addition to causing local inflammatory reactions, while epileptic seizures also cause neuro-inflammatory reactions, further aggravating nerve cell damage, thus forming a vicious cycle involving immune inflammation, epileptic seizures, and brain injury (4, 5). Among the signaling pathways involved in inflammation, high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1)/toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and interleukin-1β (IL-1 β)/interleukin 1 receptor (IL-1R) have received much attention. Here, HMGB1/TLR4 and IL-1β/IL-1R inflammasomes in the pathogenesis of epilepsy are reviewed and future perspectives are outlined.

Structure and Function of HMGB1/TLR4

HMGB1 is a non-histone protein located in the nucleus, which binds to DNA and is involved in DNA transcription, translation, and repair (6). HMGB1 is a chain-like structural protein made up of 215 amino acids, containing a sour tail (C-terminus) and two DNA-binding domains (box A and box B) located in the L configuration (N-terminus) (7). Box B, as a proinflammatory site, can be recognized by TLRs and the receptor for advanced glycation end products inducing HMGB1 to exhibit proinflammatory activity. Box A is an anti-inflammatory response site that can competitively inhibit the proinflammatory activity of HMGB1; however, both box B and box A can bind to DNA and play a role in folding and distorting the double-stranded DNA (8, 9). The two DNA binding boxes of HMGB1 contain three cysteines (cys23, cys45, and cys106). All three cysteines reside in a fully reduced state with thiol groups (all-thiol HMGB1) in normal cells. It is reported that HMGB1 exists in three isomers: fully reduced HMGB1, disulfide HMGB1, and sulfonyl HMGB1 (8). Fully reduced HMGB1 mainly exists in the nucleus in the form of non-acetylated thiol-HMGB1, which possesses cell migration-inducing activity but lacks cytokine-inducing activity. Fully reduced HMGB1 can be released into the extracellular space from damaged neurons and glial cells. In the extracellular space, non-acetylated thiol HMGB1 is partially oxidized to generate disulfide HMGB1 with a disulfide bond between Cys23 and Cys45; however, Cys106 remains in the reduced form. It is a TLR4 ligand that possesses cytokine-inducing activity but lacks cell migration-induced activity (9). Disulfide HMGB1 binds to TLR4 to initiate a neuroinflammatory response (Figure 1) (10). Complete oxidation of HMGB1 will produce sulfonyl HMGB1, lacking both cell migration-induced activity and cytokine-inducing activity. However, a new finding in tumor biology reveals that sulfonyl HMGB1 exerted anti-inflammatory effects via the RAGE signaling pathway, which can recruit immune-competent cells and inhibit cytotoxic cells (11). HMGB1 can be released into the extracellular space from neurons and glial cells in an active or passive manner. In the extracellular space, HMGB1 is mildly oxidized to generate disulfide HMGB1 with a disulfide bond between Cys23 and Cys45; however, Cys106 remains in the reduced form (9). Disulfide HMGB1 binds to TLR4 to initiate a neuroinflammatory response (Figure 1) (9, 10).

FIGURE 1

Figure 1. Schematic of HMGB1/TLR-4 pathway and epilepsy. This figure shows the activation and secretion of HMGB1 and its epileptogenic mechanism, in combination with TLR4. AMPA, aminohydroxymethyloxazole propionic acid; BBB, blood–brain barrier; DAMP, danger-associated molecular patterns; FCD, focal cortical dysplasia; GAD 67, glutamate decarboxylase 67; GABA, γ- aminobutyric acid; GLUD, glutamate dehydrogenase; HMGB1, high mobility group box1; IL-1β, interleukin-1β; MyD88, myeloid differentiation factor 88; NMDAR, N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor; NF-κB, nuclear factors κB; PAMP, pathogen-associated molecular patterns; PRR, pattern recognition receptors; PI3K, phosphatidylinositol trihydroxykinase; TLR, toll-like receptor; TNF, tumor necrosis factor.

TLRs were first identified in 1988 in Drosophila melanogaster, followed by recognition of its homolog, TLR4, in humans in 1997. To date, 13 different types of TLRs (TLR1-TLR13) have been discovered in mammals, among which 10 are present in humans (TLR1-10), including both intracellular and extracellular members (12). They are members of the pattern recognition receptor family that bind to pathogen-associated molecular patterns to initiate innate immune responses. TLR4 is a receptor of innate immunity and a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) sensor that is widely expressed in several immune and non-immune cells of the mammalian host. Of note, both non-transformed cells (endothelial and epithelial cells, fibroblasts, glial cells, neurons, and neural progenitor cells) and transformed cells (neoplastic) in the body have been detected to express TLRs (8). It is widely expressed in the central nervous system, including microglia, astrocytes, and neurons (13). TLR4 contains intracellular, transmembrane, and extracellular domains. The intracellular transmembrane domain, also known as the Toll-IL-1R (TIR) domain, plays a role in signal transduction, and the extracellular domain consists of leucine-rich repeats (LRRs) (14). The main functions of TLR4 include the regulation of cytokine secretion and microglial phagocytic activity. TLR4 signaling in the brain drives autoimmune responses and initiates neuroinflammation, which plays an important role in a variety of brain disorders (e.g., cerebrovascular disease, brain tumors, and epilepsy) (15). HMGB1 is mainly involved in the pathophysiology of epilepsy by interacting with the primary receptor TLR4.

Mechanisms Underlying HMGB1/TLR4 Mediated Neuroinflammation in Epilepsy

HMGB1 plays a fundamental role in DNA repair, transcription, and replication. HMGB1 can be translocated to the cytosol, plasma membrane, and extracellular space in response to various stressors. When neurons, glial cells, and immune cells are stimulated by inflammatory factors (e.g., IL-1β and TNF-α) or activated in response to oxidative stress, HMGB1 is actively released from the intracellular space to the extracellular space. When an extrinsic factor (e.g., cerebral cortical dysplasia, tuberous sclerosis complex, trauma, tumor) causes cell damage or death, HMGB1 is passively released from the intracellular space to the extracellular space (16). The regulation of HMGB1 secretion is important for the regulation of HMGB1 mediated inflammation and is dependent on the corresponding factors, such as phosphorylation by calcium-dependent protein kinase C. Inflachromene is a microglial inhibitor that can bind to HMGB1, blocking its sequential cytoplasmic localization and extracellular release by perturbing the post-translational modification and downregulation of pro-inflammatory function (17). HMGB1 released extracellularly binds to TLR4 and receptors for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) on the surface of neurons and glial cells. The activated HMGB1/TLR4 signaling pathway delivers signals through protein myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) dependent and independent pathways and stimulates nuclear factors κB (NF-κB) transport into the nucleus, transcribing target genes responsible for neuroimmune inflammatory response (Figure 1) (6, 18). Upon activation by HMGB1/TLR4 signaling, phosphorylation of the NR2B subunit of the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor leads to Ca2⁺ influx, which renders neuronal cells hyperexcitable and ultimately induces epileptogenesis (17, 19). HMGB1, binds to TLR4, a member of the danger-associated molecular pattern family (15), an endogenous danger signal (16). Pattern recognition receptors present on various immune cells can recognize danger signals such as damage-associated molecular patterns, which in turn activate the innate immune system and initiate an immunoinflammatory response (20, 21). Neuroimmune responses lead to the production and release of active inflammatory factors (such as IL-1β and HMGB1). Extracellular HMGB1 binds to TLR4 on the surface of neurons and glial cells, which in turn leads to seizure precipitation. Seizures lead to brain cell damage, which in turn promotes the passive release of HMGB1. Proinflammatory cytokines, the release of which is induced by excess HMGB1 also in turn stimulate the release of more HMGB1, playing a key role in the occurrence and perpetuation of seizures (22). Several studies have found that in kainic acid-induced animal models, an increase in extracellular HMGB1 downregulated the expression of glutamate decarboxylase 67 and glutamate dehydrogenase 1/2 and increased intracellular glutamate concentration and major histocompatibility complex II (MHC II) levels. This leads to neuronal hyperexcitability and epileptogenesis (23). Terrone et al. reported that the activation of the HMGB1/TLR4 axis modulates glutamate receptor-mediated Ca²⁺ permeability in neurons by promoting NMDA-NR2B or α-aminohydroxymethyloxazole propionic acid-GluR2 receptor phosphorylation via PI3-kinase (19). Another mechanism by which HMGB1 may promote epilepsy is by the destruction of the blood–brain barrier (24). HMGB1 binding to TLR4 in BBB endothelial cells and perivascular astrocytes can alter the permeability function of BBB, leading to the extravasation of serum albumin. Extravasated serum albumin activates astrocytic transforming growth factor β signaling via transforming growth factor β receptor type I activin receptor-like kinase 5 (Alk5), and then leads to the activation of extracellular matrix genes through the downstream MAPK pathway and Smad2/3 pathway. The activation of the extracellular matrix gene can generate transcription and translation of extracellular matrix remodeling related molecules. These cytokines are released extracellularly and promote the persistent degradation of a protective extracellular matrix structure called the periglomerular neuronal network that surrounds inhibitory interneurons. Furthermore, remodeling of these extracellular matrices leads to dysfunction of interneurons, promoting excitation/inhibition (E/I) imbalance and ultimately epileptogenesis. However, seizures per se can also cause BBB dysfunction, forming a vicious circle (25).

Association Between HMGB1/TLR4 Mediated Neuroinflammation and Epilepsy

Several studies on acute injury-induced epilepsy animal models have shown that total HMGB1 increased in the blood before the onset of spontaneous seizures and during disease development and that both acetylated disulfide isoforms and disulfide isoforms of HMGB1 progressively increased and constituted the majority of total HMGB1 in the blood. It is speculated that HMGB1 may be involved in the initiation of epilepsy after brain injury, and the level of HMGB1 in the blood might help to identify patients with a high risk of developing spontaneous seizures early after epileptogenic injury. In addition, the release of disulfide HMGB1 in the brain following status epilepticus may contribute to epileptogenesis and the consequent onset of spontaneous seizures. However, these changes persisted only in animals with active epilepsy, and disulfide HMGB1 was not detected in the blood of healthy individuals or those with well-controlled epilepsy. Thus, HMGB1 may be a useful predictive biomarker for seizure relapse and response to therapy (26, 27).

Animals with increased HMGB1 inflammatory subtypes in the blood before the onset may prospectively identify the possibility of epilepsy later. An increase in HMGB1 inflammatory subtypes persisted during active epilepsy in these animals. An early expression of the inflammatory, pathologic disulfide isoform of HMGB1 indicates the likelihood of experiencing further seizures in patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy. The drug-refractory epilepsy patients also invariably express significantly higher acetylated disulfide isoforms which are notably absent in patients with well-controlled epilepsy. The disulfide isoform of HMGB1, which seems to be the form most likely to promote seizure generation, is a potentially novel prognostic, diagnostic, and predictive biomarker of drug-resistant epilepsy in humans and highlights potential new targets for drug development (28). Pauletti et al. found that oxidative stress occurs in the brains of patients experiencing status epilepticus, as well as in patients with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy, and this phenomenon is associated with the cytoplasmic translocation of HMGB1 in neurons and glia. Therefore, inhibiting the generation of disulfide HMGB1 by reducing oxidative stress may be a potential novel therapeutic approach (26).

A clinical study suggested that increased HMGB1 or TLR4 expression correlated with a higher risk and severity of epilepsy, as well as the increased possibility of anti-seizure medication resistance (22). Additionally, activation of the HMGB1/TLR4 axis has been demonstrated in surgically resected drug-refractory brain tissue (26). Kamaşsk et al. found that HMGB-1 and TLR4 levels in the severe epilepsy group were significantly higher than those in the control group or the mild epilepsy group, and the mild epilepsy group was significantly higher than those in the control group in the serum of children aged 4–17. It has been suggested that HMGB-1 and TLR4 expression levels correlate with epilepsy severity (29). Another clinical study demonstrated that the serum concentration of HMGB1 was negatively associated with patients' intelligence scores and positively associated with the frequency of seizures and the number of epileptiform discharges. These findings suggest that serum HMGB1 is potentially involved in the initiation and progression of epilepsy or epileptic lesions and is a potential predictive factor for epilepsy prognosis (30). A study on a rat model showed that the HMGB1/TLR4 axis was overexpressed in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy and could induce neuronal synaptic reconstruction and inflammatory responses in neurons via the p38MAPK signaling pathway (13). The HMGB1/TLR4 pathway was upregulated in neurons and astrocytes in the brain tissues of epileptic children with FCD-II, which led to an increase in the release of downstream pro-inflammatory cytokines (31). Therefore, the HMGB1/TLR4 axis plays a key role in FCD-II-related epilepsy and mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.

In animal models of pilocarpine-induced seizure, pharmacological inactivation of HMGB1 using a monoclonal antibody reduced seizure frequency and severity, and an anti-HMGB1 monoclonal antibody exerted protective effects on neuronal apoptosis and prevented epileptogenesis in association with inhibition of HMGB1 release (27). The reported anti-epileptic effect of the anti-HMGB1 monoclonal antibody might be due to inhibition of blood–brain barrier rupture, inflammatory responses, translocation of HMGB1, and neuronal cell death. Anti-HMGB1 monoclonal antibody therapy may be a novel strategy for preventing epileptogenesis (32). Another study has incorporated both acute and chronic seizure animal models. Anti-HMGB1 monoclonal antibody treatment attenuated electroshock and pentylenetetrazol-induced acute seizures, while anti-HMGB1 monoclonal antibody did not show any anti-seizure effect in TLR4 knockout mice, supporting the fact that HMGB1-TLR4 regulatory axis contributes to epileptogenesis (33). The anti-seizure effect of the anti-HMGB1 monoclonal antibody showed sufficient potential and specificity for treating kainic acid-induced seizures in an animal model and surgical tissue slices from patients with medically refractory temporal lobe epilepsy (33). Glycyrrhizin, a glycoconjugated triterpene extracted from licorice root and a natural anti-inflammatory compound, inhibits the function of HMGB1. It has a strong neuroprotective effect in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by reducing HMGB1 expression and release. Thus, it can be used to treat inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (34). Glycyrrhizin can attenuate neuronal damage and alter the disease progression of post-status epilepticus by inhibiting HMGB1 activity and its translocation and protecting the blood–brain barrier permeability in a status epilepticus model induced by lithium-pilocarpine (35). However, the potential anti-epileptic mechanism of glycyrrhizin via HMGB1 is still unclear in seizure models and patients. A few studies have also identified other antiepileptic treatment schemes that act on the HMGB1/TLR signaling pathway. For example, epigallocatechin gallate can significantly attenuate the increase in TLR-4 and IL-1β levels in the hippocampus to achieve anti-epileptogenesis and neuroprotective effects in pilocarpine-induced epileptic rats (36, 37). In addition, micro-RNA plays a role in HMGB1-mediated epilepsy. Both miR-129-5p and miR-542-3p inhibit the development of epilepsy by suppressing HMGB1 expression and inhibiting the TLR4/NF-kB signaling pathway (38, 39). TLR4 agonists, LPS and MPL, can attenuate seizure severity in pilocarpine-induced rats with temporal lobe epilepsy (40), and pentoxifylline may represent a promising drug to inhibit epilepsy progression by targeting the HMGB1/TLR4/RAGE signaling pathway in pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-kindling rats (41).

Structure and Function of IL-1β/IL-1R1

IL-1 was first identified in 1979. The IL-1 family includes three ligands, IL-1α, IL-1β, and IL-1Ra, all of which bind to the IL-1 receptor (42, 43). IL-1α is membrane-bound, whereas IL-1β is released into the extracellular space. IL1-Ra is a naturally occurring competitive inhibitor of both membrane-bound IL-1α and extracellular-released IL-1β, which acts as a brake to prevent the occurrence of excessive inflammation (44). IL1β is produced and secreted by several cell types. Although the vast majority of studies have focused on its production within cells of the innate immune system, such as monocytes and macrophages, it is mainly produced by activated microglia as well as neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system (45). IL-1β is strongly induced in activated microglia and astrocytes during the acute phase of status epilepticus and in the chronic phase of spontaneous seizures in brain areas involved in seizure generation and propagation and is mainly sustained by astrocytes (4). IL-1β mainly binds to IL1R1 and activates NF-κB in target cells to induce and amplify the inflammatory response and plays an important role in injury and inflammation (Figure 2) (46).

FIGURE 2

Figure 2. Schematic of IL-1β/IL-1R1 pathway and epilepsy. This figure shows the activation and secretion of IL-1β and its epileptogenic mechanism in combination with IL-1R1. AMPA, aminohydroxymethyloxazole propionic acid; BBB: blood–brain barrier; DAMP, danger-associated molecular patterns; FCD, focal cortical dysplasia; GLU, glutamate; IL-1β, interleukin-1β; IL-1R, interleukin-1receptor; MyD88, myeloid differentiation factor 88; NMDAR, N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor; NF-κB, nuclear factors κB; PAMP, pathogen-associated molecular patterns; PRR, pattern recognition receptors; TSC, tuberous sclerosis complex.

The IL-1R family encompasses 10 type-1 transmembrane proteins with a similar architecture, which usually consist of an extracellular portion responsible for ligand binding, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular portion where the TIR domain resides (toll IL1R homology region). IL-1R molecules can be divided into four subgroups based on their functions and differences in structural features (42). IL-1R1 is a biologically active type of IL-1R, formerly known as IL-1R type-I (47). When one of the agonist ligands, IL-1α or IL-1β, binds to IL-1R1 and changes its conformation, the complex forms of IL1-IL1R1 mediate IL-1-dependent activation (42). This complex recruits a number of intracellular adapter molecules, including myeloid differentiation factor 88, IL-1R-associated kinase, and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6, to activate signal transduction pathways [such as nuclear factor-kB, activator protein-1, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and p38 mitogen-associated protein kinase] and finally amplifies the inflammatory response (Figure 2) (47, 48).

Mechanisms Underlying IL-1β/IL-1R1-Mediated Neuroimmune Inflammation in Epilepsy

IL-1β is active only after it matures and is secreted from the cell. The process of maturation and secretion of IL-1β is roughly as follows: ① the cell is infected by bacteria or cell damage occurs; ② the pathogen-associated molecular patterns or damage-associated molecular patterns bind to the pattern recognition receptors and stimulate NF-κB transport into the nucleus and induce transcription of pre-IL-1β; ③ meanwhile, after pathogen-associated molecular patterns or damage-associated molecular patterns are recognized by pattern recognition receptors, the assembly and activation of inflammasomes (cytosolic multiprotein complexes) are triggered, which can promote the transformation of pro-caspase-1 into mature caspase-1 in the cytoplasm; ④ mature active caspase-1 causes cleavage of pro-IL-1β to mature IL-β; ⑤ finally, mature IL-1β is secreted through membrane pores via activated gasdermin D (49–51). The mechanism of epilepsy induced by IL-1β-mediated neuroimmune inflammatory responses is complex. IL-1β levels are significantly increased in the brain tissue and plasma samples from animal models of epilepsy and patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (45, 52). The IL-1β/IL-1R1 axis enhances NMDA receptor-mediated Ca²⁺ influx into neurons via phosphorylation of the NR2B subunit of the NMDA receptor via Src kinase, resulting in excitotoxicity and seizure (19, 43). IL-1β also affects neuronal excitability by increasing the extracellular glutamate concentration by inhibiting the astroglial glutamate transporter (19). IL-1β also inhibits GABA-mediated Cl⁻ influx into neurons, leading to increased neuronal excitability (19, 44). In addition, some studies have found indirect effects on neurons through the blood-brain barrier. IL-1β/IL-1R1 is expressed during epileptogenesis in both perivascular astrocytes and endothelial cells of the blood-brain barrier (4). IL-1β can affect blood-brain barrier permeability through disruption of tight-junction organization, nitric oxide production, or matrix metalloproteinase activation in endothelial cells. The brain barrier leakage promotes the exudation of inflammatory factors and neuronal damage. Moreover, these changes could lead to the infiltration of inflammatory cells from the periphery to the brain, which can aggravate inflammation and promote hyperexcitability, excitotoxicity, and epileptogenesis (Figure 2) (43). IL-1β can also stimulate synaptophysin expression and epileptiform discharges via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway to induce seizure generation in an animal model with temporal lobe epilepsy (53). Furthermore, the IL-1β/IL-1R1 signaling pathway promotes glial activation, proliferation, and cytokine release, which leads to an amplified inflammatory response and increases the risk of seizures and brain damage (54). However, after epileptogenesis, microglial activation produces large amounts of inflammatory factors (such as IL-1β). The massive release of IL-1β can lead to the production of adhesion molecules by endothelial cells, increasing leukocyte infiltration, which in turn produces more inflammatory mediators, leading to neuroimmune inflammatory responses and forming a vicious cycle (45, 55).

Association Between IL-1β/IL-1R1-Mediated Neuroimmune Inflammation and Epilepsy

Upregulation of IL-1β was found in the injured cortex, hippocampus, brain, and serum of a mouse model with post-traumatic epilepsy (54). In particular, the level of IL-1β expression in mice brains with status epilepticus was higher than that in control mice (19). Kostic et al. evaluated IL-1β levels in the cerebrospinal fluid and serum of 6 healthy dogs and 51 dogs with epilepsy (structural and idiopathic). IL-1β concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid were not detectable. However, dogs with epilepsy have increased serum IL-1β levels, regardless of the underlying cause of the disease (45). IL-1β levels were increased in the brain tissue samples of patients with TLE and displayed higher plasma levels of IL-1β (52). Another clinical study demonstrated that serum concentrations of IL-1β were negatively associated with patients' intelligence scores and positively associated with the frequency of seizures and number of epileptiform discharges. These findings suggest that IL-1β is potentially involved in the initiation and progression of epilepsy or epileptic lesions and is a potential predictive factor for epilepsy prognosis (30). Kamaşsk et al. found that IL-1β levels in the severe epilepsy group were higher than those in the control group or the mild epilepsy group (P < 0.05), and the level in the mild epilepsy group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05); in addition, the severe epilepsy group had higher IL-1R1 than the control group in the serum of children aged 4–17. It has been suggested that IL-1β/ IL-1R1 expression correlates with epilepsy severity (29). A prospective study of epilepsy outcomes showed that serum levels of IL-1β showed a significant correlation with the measures of disease severity and the number of anti-seizure medications used and a negative correlation with the age of disease onset in children with epilepsy. Thus, these data suggest that the serum levels of IL-1β are potential prognostic biomarkers for children with epilepsy (56). Moreover, the genotype frequency of rs1143627 TT of IL-1b-31 and the homozygous IL1RN^*I were found to be more prevalent in patients with epilepsy, and the T allele of IL-1b-31 and IL1-RAI/I was substantially positively correlated with drug resistance in those who responded well to anti-seizure medications. The genotype of IL-1β/IL-1R1 could be a predictive marker for identifying individuals at risk of seizure and drug resistance development (47).

Anakinra, a human recombinant endogenous competitive antagonist of IL-1R1, is used to treat autoinflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Repetitive intracerebroventricular injections of anakinra after electrically induced status epilepticus in rats led to a decrease in spike frequency and reduced seizure generalization during convulsive status epilepticus (19). A child with febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES) showed improvement with anakinra and super-refractory status epilepticus (57). In addition, an adolescent female with a diagnosis of refractory epilepsy was treated with anakinra first and then with canakinumab, an IL-1β antibody, during a nonconvulsive status epilepticus, which resulted in complete resolution of clinical seizures (58). The IL-1 β/IL-1R signaling pathway might be a profoundly impactful adjunctive medication for certain refractory epilepsy syndromes.

Association of HMGB1/TLR4 and IL-1β/IL-1R

The HMGB1/TLR4 and IL-1β/IL-1R1 signaling pathways are key upstream generators of the neuroinflammatory response. HMGB1 can also bind to IL-1β to initiate an IL-1R1-mediated proinflammatory response (6, 17). There is a common crucial signaling domain in both the IL-1 receptor and TLR4, designated as the toll interleukin-1 receptor homology region, which is now known as the TIR domain (42). Thus, the downstream signaling pathways activated by the TIR domain-containing receptor activation are very similar. First, several MyD88 molecules are recruited to the TIR domain to form MyD88 oligomers and then, IRAK-4, IRAK-1, and/or IRAK-2 are recruited. TRAF6 is recruited to hyperphosphorylated IRAK-1 oligomers and is activated. TAB2 and TAB3, ubiquitinated by TRAF6, enter the complex and associate with the TAK1/TAB1 complex, and undergo a conformational change resulting in TAK1 auto-phosphorylation and activation (Figure 3). Active TAK1 phosphorylates and activates the downstream protein kinase IKK, and NF-κB is then transported to the nucleus (14, 42). Eventually, their activation excited endogenous ligands leading to the transcriptional induction of NF-kB-regulated inflammatory genes, and, as a consequence, generating and rapidly amplifying the inflammatory cascade (46, 59). Activation of HMGB1/TLR4 and IL-1β/IL-1R1 axis-in depolarized neurons promotes excitotoxicity and seizures by enhancing Ca²⁺ influx via NMDA receptors (8). Another study showed that the activation of IL-1R1 and TLR4 signaling may induce acquired channelopathies by reducing the cyclic AMP-gated channel type 1 protein level and channel-mediated conductance on dendrites of hippocampal pyramidal neurons (60). Cyclic AMP-gated channel type 1 is a key regulator of the filtering properties of hippocampal pyramidal cell dendrites and their responses to excitatory inputs. They are involved in theta rhythms, which in turn are linked to cognitive functions. Cyclic AMP-gated channel type 1 is downregulated in animal models and human epilepsy and contributes to seizures and cognitive deficits (19). Moreover, both HMGB1/TLR4 and IL-1β/IL-1R signaling pathways are involved and contribute to the increased permeability of the blood–brain barrier (Figure 3). Leaky serum proteins induce transcription and translation of extracellular matrix-associated cytokines via transforming growth factors in astrocytes β signaling. These cytokines remodel the extracellular matrix. The ongoing degradation of perineuronal nets (a protective extracellular matrix) around GABAergic interneurons causes GABAergic interneuron dysfunction, which may contribute to hyperexcitability of brain tissue and provoke a long-lasting decrease in seizure threshold (25, 46).

FIGURE 3

Figure 3. Schematic of interaction of HMGB1/TLR-4 and IL-1β/IL-1R pathway in epilepsy. This figure shows the interaction between HMGB1/TLR-4 and the IL-1β/IL-1R pathway during their activation, secretion, and receptor combinations, and in the epileptogenic mechanism. BBB, blood–brain barrier; DAMP, danger-associated molecular patterns; FCD, focal cortical dysplasia; IL-1β, interleukin-1β; IL-1R, interleukin-1receptor; HMGB1, high mobility group box1; IL-1β, interleukin-1β; MyD88, myeloid differentiation factor 88; NMDAR, N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor; NF-κB, nuclear factors κB; PAMP, pathogen-associated molecular patterns; PRR, pattern recognition receptors; TLR, toll-like receptor; TSC, tuberous sclerosis complex.

Future Perspective and Conclusion

Preclinical studies and clinical evidence show that HMGB1/TLR4 and IL-1β/IL-1R1 signaling pathways are involved in epileptogenesis caused by neuroimmune inflammatory responses and participate in the neuroinflammatory response of brain injury after epilepsy (Table 1). They are closely related to the mechanism of epilepsy and the development of drug resistance and are important biomarkers for the occurrence, prognosis, and prediction of epilepsy. These two signaling pathways can induce neuroimmune inflammatory responses through multiple pathways, which is an important part of the neuroimmune inflammatory response theory in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Notably, research on antibodies or inhibitors against these two signaling pathways has also made some progress and has shown good therapeutic effects. However, the complete upstream and downstream links of HMGB1/TLR4 and IL-1β/IL-1R1 signaling pathways, their complete mechanism of action in epilepsy of different etiologies, and the participation of genetic factors are still very limited. At present, there are few studies on the relationship between these two signaling pathways and their related antibodies or inhibitors, and there is a lack of in-depth experiments based on different etiologies and animal models. The clinical applications of these drugs require further exploration. Finally, it is expected that the IL-1β/Il-1R1 and HMGB1/TLR4 signaling pathways will provide more in-depth, scientific, and comprehensive research on the occurrence, prediction, prognosis, and treatment of epilepsy.

TABLE 1

Table 1. Summary of studies on the HMGB1/TLR4 and IL-1β/ IL-1R pathways and their association with epilepsy.

Author Contributions

SL: conceptualization, writing—reviewing and editing, and funding acquisition. SZ and FC: writing—original draft preparation and investigation. FZ: writing—reviewing and editing. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.

Funding

This research was supported by the Beijing Nature & Science Foundation of China (7202045, SL) and the National Nature and Science Foundation of China (82071448, SL). The funders were not involved in the study design, data collection and analysis, interpretation of data, or writing of the report.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher's Note

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