RNA-Seq analysis of hippocampal tissues reveals novel candidate genes for drug refractory epilepsy in patients with MTLE-HS

Array-based profiling studies shows aberrant gene expression patterns during epileptogenesis. We have performed RNAseq analysis of the hippocampal tissues resected from the patients with MTLE-HS to investigate the molecular basis of epileptogenicity and/or pharmacoresistance in MTLE. For non-epileptic control experiments, healthy tissues from tumour margins obtained during tumour surgeries were used. RNA sequencing was performed using standard protocols on Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform. Differential gene expression analysis of the RNAseq data revealed 56 significantly regulated genes in MTLE patients and showed that many of these belong to a cohesive network of physically interacting proteins linked to several cellular functions. This study identified various genes like FN1 which is central in our analysis, NEUROD6, RELN, TGF[H9252]R2, NLRP1, SCRT1, CSNK2B, SCN1B, CABP1, KIF5A and antisense RNAs like AQP4-AS1 and KIRREL3-AS2 that needs further evaluation for their potential as diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers in intractable MTLE.