Abstract: Objective To investigate the distribution of aquaporin 4 (AQP4) and inwardly rectifying potassium channel 4.1 (Kir4.1) inthe astrocytes from human mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). Methods Hippocampal specimens, including 10 cases of MTLE and 6cases of non-MTLE, were observed under optical and transmission electron microscopy. The distribution of AQP4 and Kir4.1 in astrocyteswas investigated with immunoflurescence. Results Compared with non-MTLE hippocampus, the main structural changes of MTLE includedremarkable hyperplasia astrocytes, serious swelling astrocytes and distinguished astrophy neurons. In non-MTLE hippocampus, immunoflurescencesignals of AQP4 and Kir4.1 were enriched along perivascular astrocyte end-feet domain. However, it reveals significant loss ofAQP4 and Kir4.1 in perivascular astrocyte end-feet domain in MTLE. Conclusion Loss of perivascular AQP4 and Kir4.1 in the humanMTLE may help to understand the roles of astrocyte in MTLE.

Key words: mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, aquaporin 4, inwardly rectifying potassium channel 4.1