scholarly journals Effect of TRPV4-p38 MAPK Pathway on Neuropathic Pain in Rats with Chronic Compression of the Dorsal Root Ganglion

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Juan Qu ◽  
Xiao Zhang ◽  
Zhen-Zhen Fan ◽  
Juan Huai ◽  
Yong-Bo Teng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Dorsal Root Ganglion ◽  
Dorsal Root ◽  
Mechanical Allodynia ◽  
Mapk Pathway ◽  
Intrathecal Injection ◽  
Ruthenium Red ◽  
Protein Expressions ◽  
Intermediary Role ◽  
Ectopic Discharges

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships among TRPV4, p38, and neuropathic pain in a rat model of chronic compression of the dorsal root ganglion. Mechanical allodynia appeared after CCD surgery, enhanced via the intrathecal injection of 4α-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (4α-PDD, an agonist of TRPV4) and anisomycin (an agonist of p38), but was suppressed by Ruthenium Red (RR, an inhibitor of TRPV4) and SB203580 (an inhibitor of p38). The protein expressions of p38 and P-p38 were upregulated by 4α-PDD and anisomycin injection but reduced by RR and SB203580. Moreover, TRPV4 was upregulated by 4α-PDD and SB203580 and downregulated by RR and anisomycin. In DRG tissues, the numbers of TRPV4- or p38-positive small neurons were significantly changed in CCD rats, increased by the agonists, and decreased by the inhibitors. The amplitudes of ectopic discharges were increased by 4α-PDD and anisomycin but decreased by RR and SB203580. Collectively, these results support the link between TRPV4 and p38 and their intermediary role for neuropathic pain in rats with chronic compression of the dorsal root ganglion.

scholarly journals Microglial BDNF, PI3K, and p-ERK in the Spinal Cord Are Suppressed by Pulsed Radiofrequency on Dorsal Root Ganglion to Ease SNI-Induced Neuropathic Pain in Rats

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xueru Xu ◽  
Shaoxiong Fu ◽  
Xiaomei Shi ◽  
Rongguo Liu
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Dorsal Root Ganglion ◽  
Nerve Injury ◽  
Calcium Binding ◽  
Dorsal Root ◽  
Intrathecal Injection ◽  
Pulsed Radiofrequency ◽  
Erk Phosphorylation ◽  
Extracellular Signal

Background. Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) on the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) has been applied to alleviate neuropathic pain effectively, yet the mechanisms underlying pain reduction owing to this treatment are not clarified completely. The activated microglia, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) in the spinal cord were demonstrated to be involved in developing neuropathic pain. Also, it has been just known that PRF on DRG inhibits the microglial activation in nerve injury rats. Here, we aim to investigate whether PRF treatment could regulate the levels of BDNF, PI3K, and p-ERK in the spinal cord of rats with spared nerve injury (SNI) via suppressing the spinal microglia activation to ease neuropathic pain. Methods. The rats with SNI were intrathecally treated with minocycline (specific microglia inhibitor) or same volume of dimethyl sulfoxide once daily, beginning from 1 h before nerve transection to 7 days. PRF was applied adjacent to the L4-L5 DRG of rats with SNI at 45 V for 6 min on the seventh postoperative day, whereas the free-PRF rats were treated without PRF. The withdrawal thresholds were studied, and the spinal levels of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1), BDNF, PI3K, and p-ERK were calculated by western blot analysis, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and immunofluorescence. Results. The paw withdrawal mechanical threshold and paw withdrawal thermal latency decreased in the ipsilateral hind paws after SNI, and the spinal levels of Iba1, BDNF, PI3K, and p-ERK increased on day 21 after SNI compared with baseline (P<0.01). An intrathecal injection of minocycline led to the reversal of SNI-induced allodynia and increase in levels of Iba1, BDNF, PI3K, and p-ERK. Withdrawal thresholds recovered partially after a single PRF treatment for 14 days, and SNI-induced microglia hyperactivity, BDNF upregulation, and PI3K and ERK phosphorylation in the spinal cord reduced on D14 due to the PRF procedure. Conclusion. Microglial BDNF, PI3K, and p-ERK in the spinal cord are suppressed by the therapy of PRF on DRG to ease SNI-induced neuropathic pain in rats.

scholarly journals Intrathecal injection of bone marrow stromal cells attenuates neuropathic pain via inhibition of P2X4R in spinal cord microglia

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongbo Teng ◽  
Yang Zhang ◽  
Shouwei Yue ◽  
Huanwen Chen ◽  
Yujuan Qu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Dorsal Root Ganglion ◽  
Dorsal Root ◽  
Purinergic Receptor ◽  
Intrathecal Injection ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid ◽  
Drg Neurons ◽  
Analgesic Effects

Abstract Background Neuropathic pain is one of the most debilitating of all chronic pain syndromes. Intrathecal (i.t.) bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) injections have a favorable safety profile; however, results have been inconsistent, and complete understanding of how BMSCs affect neuropathic pain remains elusive. Methods We evaluated the analgesic effect of BMSCs on neuropathic pain in a chronic compression of the dorsal root ganglion (CCD) model. We analyzed the effect of BMSCs on microglia reactivity and expression of purinergic receptor P2X4 (P2X4R). Furthermore, we assessed the effect of BMSCs on the expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4), a key molecule in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain, in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Results I.t. BMSC transiently but significantly ameliorated neuropathic pain behavior (37.6% reduction for 2 days). We found no evidence of BMSC infiltration into the spinal cord parenchyma or DRGs, and we also demonstrated that intrathecal injection of BMSC-lysates provides similar relief. These findings suggest that the analgesic effects of i.t. BMSC were largely due to the release of BMSC-derived factors into the intrathecal space. Mechanistically, we found that while i.t. BMSCs did not change TRPV4 expression in DRG neurons, there was a significant reduction of P2X4R expression in the spinal cord microglia. BMSC-lysate also reduced P2X4R expression in activated microglia in vitro. Coadministration of additional pharmacological interventions targeting P2X4R confirmed that modulation of P2X4R might be a key mechanism for the analgesic effects of i.t. BMSC. Conclusion Altogether, our results suggest that i.t. BMSC is an effective and safe treatment of neuropathic pain and provides novel evidence that BMSC’s analgesic effects are largely mediated by the release of BMSC-derived factors resulting in microglial P2X4R downregulation.

Receptor Subtype Mediating the Adrenergic Sensitivity of Pain Behavior and Ectopic Discharges in Neuropathic Lewis Rats

1999 ◽  
Vol 81 (5) ◽  
pp. 2226-2233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doo Hyun Lee ◽  
Xianzeng Liu ◽  
Hyun Taek Kim ◽  
Kyungsoon Chung ◽  
Jin Mo Chung
Keyword(s):  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Dorsal Root ◽  
Mechanical Allodynia ◽  
Pain Behavior ◽  
Receptor Subtype ◽  
Systemic Injection ◽  
Lewis Rats ◽  
Ectopic Discharges

Receptor subtype mediating the adrenergic sensitivity of pain behavior and ectopic discharges in neuropathic Lewis rats. We attempted to identify the subtype of α-adrenergic receptor (α-AR) that is responsible for the sympathetic (adrenergic) dependency of neuropathic pain in the segmental spinal injury (SSI) model in the Lewis strain of rat. This model was chosen because our previous study showed that pain behaviors in this condition are particularly sensitive to systemic injection of phentolamine (PTL), a general α-AR blocker. We examined the effects of specific α1- and α2-AR blockers on 1) behavioral signs of mechanical allodynia, 2) ectopic discharges recorded in the in vivo condition, and 3) ectopic discharges recorded in an in vitro setup. One week after tight ligation of the L5 and L6 spinal nerves, mechanical thresholds of the paw for foot withdrawals were drastically lowered; we interpreted this change as a sign of mechanical allodynia. Signs of mechanical allodynia were significantly relieved by a systemic injection of PTL (a mixed α1- and α2-AR antagonist) or terazosin (TRZ, an α1-AR antagonist) but not by various α2-AR antagonists (idazoxan, rauwolscine, or yohimbine), suggesting that the α1-AR is in part the mediator of the signs of mechanical allodynia. Ongoing ectopic discharges were recorded from injured afferents in fascicles of the L5 dorsal root of the neuropathic rat with an in vivo recording setup. Ongoing discharge rate was significantly reduced after intraperitoneal injection of PTL or TRZ but not by idazoxan. In addition, by using an in vitro recording setup, spontaneous activity was recorded from teased dorsal root fibers in a segment in which the spinal nerve was previously ligated. Application of epinephrine to the perfusion bath enhanced ongoing discharges. This evoked activity was blocked by pretreatment with TRZ but not with idazoxan. This study demonstrated that both behavioral signs of mechanical allodynia and ectopic discharges of injured afferents in the Lewis neuropathic rat are in part mediated by mechanisms involving α1-ARs. These results suggest that the sympathetic dependency of neuropathic pain in the Lewis strain of the rat is mediated by the α1 subtype of AR.

scholarly journals Pulsed Radiofrequency on Dorsal Root Ganglion Improves Neuropathic Pain-induced Depression in SNI Rats by Regulating Hippocampal BDNF and Neuroinflammation via Spinal IRF8 Inactivation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xueru Xu ◽  
Zhisen Dai ◽  
Chun Lin ◽  
Fan Lin ◽  
Rongguo Liu
Keyword(s):  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Dorsal Root Ganglion ◽  
Nerve Injury ◽  
Dorsal Root ◽  
Intrathecal Injection ◽  
Free Water ◽  
Sucrose Preference ◽  
Pulsed Radiofrequency ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Immobility Time

Abstract Background: Increasing evidence suggests that neuroglia, neuroimmune, and neuroinflammatory processes are involved in the development of nerve injury-induced pain and depression. Interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8), a crucial factor for microglial activation, is essential for the development of neuropathic pain. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and inflammatory mediators (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) in the hippocampus contribute to the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain-depression comorbidity. Our previous study found that depressive-like behaviors induced by spared nerve injury (SNI) could be improved by applying pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) to the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) (PRF-DRG). However, the anti-depressive mechanisms of PRF-DRG therapy remain largely unknown. Methods: All rats (except for those in the sham group) were subjected to SNI. The nuclease-free water group and the IRF8 siRNA group were intrathecally injected with nuclease-free water and IRF8 siRNA on days 5 and 6 after SNI, respectively. PRF therapy on the L5 DRG was performed in the PRF group on day 7 after SNI, whereas no PRF current was delivered in the Sham-PRF group. The 50% paw withdrawal threshold, forced swimming test, and sucrose preference test were performed. The expression levels of spinal IRF8 and hippocampal BDNF were tested by molecular biochemistry, while IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were tested by ELISA.Results: The depressive-like behaviors induced by SNI were remarkably developed in rats, which was indicated by a significant reduction in the sucrose preference rate and prolonged immobility time on day 42 after SNI. Mechanical allodynia and depression-like behaviors of rats with SNI were remarkably improved after PRF-DRG or intrathecal IRF8 siRNA. Spinal IRF8 overexpression, hippocampal BDNF downregulation, and increased hippocampal IL-1β and TNF-α levels were reversed by PRF-DRG, similar to the intrathecal injection of IRF8 siRNA. Conclusions: PRF-DRG therapy could regulate neuroimmune and neuroinflammatory responses to improve pain-induced depressive-like behaviors. The beneficial effect was correlated with the upregulation of BDNF and inhibition of IL-1β and TNF-α in the hippocampus via spinal IRF8 inactivation.

scholarly journals Intrathecal Injection of Dual Zipper Kinase shRNA Alleviating the Neuropathic Pain in a Chronic Constrictive Nerve Injury Model

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 2421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meei-Ling Sheu ◽  
Chien-Yi Chiang ◽  
Hong-Lin Su ◽  
Chun-Jung Chen ◽  
Jason Sheehan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Dorsal Root Ganglion ◽  
Dorsal Root ◽  
Leucine Zipper ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Neuronal Degeneration ◽  
Intrathecal Injection ◽  
Thermal Hyperalgesia ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Chronic Constrictive Injury

Dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK) is a member of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K) family mainly involved in neuronal degeneration. However, the role of DLK signaling in the neuropathic pain has not yet been fully determined. Chronic constrictive injury (CCI) was conducted by four 3-0 chromic gut ligatures loosely ligated around the sciatic nerve. Escalated DLK expression over the dorsal root ganglion was observed from one to four rings of CCI. Remarkable expression of DLK was observed in primary dorsal root ganglion cells culture subjected to electrical stimulation and attenuated by DLK short hairpin RNA (shRNA) treatment. Intrathecal injection of DLK shRNA attenuates the expression of DLK over the dorsal root ganglion and hippocampus neurons and increased the threshold of mechanical allodynia and decreased thermal hyperalgesia. In CatWalk gait analysis, significant decreases of print area, maximum contact maximum intensity, stand phase, single stance, and regular index by CCI were alleviated by the DLK shRNA administration. In conclusion, the expression of DLK was up-regulated in chronic constrictive injury and attenuated by the administration of DLK shRNA, which paralleled the improvement of neurobehavior of neuropathic pain. The modulation of DLK expression is a potential clinic treatment option for neuropathic pain.

scholarly journals Oxidative stress induced by NOX2 contributes to neuropathic pain via plasma membrane translocation of PKCε in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Xu ◽  
Shinan Wu ◽  
Junfei Wang ◽  
Jianmei Wang ◽  
Yi Yan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Dorsal Root Ganglion ◽  
Dorsal Root ◽  
Mechanical Allodynia ◽  
Membrane Translocation ◽  
Drg Neurons ◽  
Ganglion Neurons

Abstract Background Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 2 (NOX2)-induced oxidative stress, including the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hydrogen peroxide, plays a pivotal role in neuropathic pain. Although the activation and plasma membrane translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons have been implicated in multiple pain models, the interactions between NOX2-induced oxidative stress and PKC remain unknown. Methods A spared nerve injury (SNI) model was established in adult male rats. Pharmacologic intervention and AAV-shRNA were applied locally to DRGs. Pain behavior was evaluated by Von Frey tests. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were performed to examine the underlying mechanisms. The excitability of DRG neurons was recorded by whole-cell patch clamping. Results SNI induced persistent NOX2 upregulation in DRGs for up to 2 weeks and increased the excitability of DRG neurons, and these effects were suppressed by local application of gp91-tat (a NOX2-blocking peptide) or NOX2-shRNA to DRGs. Of note, the SNI-induced upregulated expression of PKCε but not PKC was decreased by gp91-tat in DRGs. Mechanical allodynia and DRG excitability were increased by ψεRACK (a PKCε activator) and reduced by εV1-2 (a PKCε-specific inhibitor). Importantly, εV1-2 failed to inhibit SNI-induced NOX2 upregulation. Moreover, the SNI-induced increase in PKCε protein expression in both the plasma membrane and cytosol in DRGs was attenuated by gp91-tat pretreatment, and the enhanced translocation of PKCε was recapitulated by H2O2 administration. SNI-induced upregulation of PKCε was blunted by phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN, an ROS scavenger) and the hydrogen peroxide catalyst catalase. Furthermore, εV1-2 attenuated the mechanical allodynia induced by H2O2 Conclusions NOX2-induced oxidative stress promotes the sensitization of DRGs and persistent pain by increasing the plasma membrane translocation of PKCε.

scholarly journals Biomarker Analysis of Orally Dosed, Dual Active, Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 Inhibitor, AQU-118, in the Spinal Nerve Ligation (SNL) Rat Model of Neuropathic Pain

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei Kwan ◽  
Anthony Choo ◽  
Taleen Hanania ◽  
Afshin Ghavami ◽  
Jose Beltran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Dorsal Root Ganglion ◽  
Rat Model ◽  
Dorsal Root ◽  
Mechanical Allodynia ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Spinal Nerve ◽  
Spinal Nerve Ligation ◽  
Oral Dosing ◽  
Protein Levels

There is an unmet medical need for the development of non-addicting pain therapeutics with enhanced efficacy and tolerability. The current study examined the effects of AQU-118, an orally active inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9, in the spinal nerve ligation (SNL) rat model of neuropathic pain. Mechanical allodynia and the levels of various biomarkers were examined within the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) before and after oral dosing with AQU-118. The rats that received the SNL surgery exhibited significant mechanical allodynia as compared to sham controls. Animals received either vehicle, positive control (gabapentin), or AQU-118. After SNL surgery, the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of those rats dosed with vehicle had elevated messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels for MMP-2, IL1-β & IL-6 and elevated protein levels for caspase-3 while exhibiting decreased protein levels for myelin basic protein (MBP) & active IL-β as compared to sham controls. Rats orally dosed with AQU-118 exhibited significantly reduced mechanical allodynia and decreased levels of caspase-3 in the DRG as compared to vehicle controls. Results demonstrate that oral dosing with the dual active, MMP-2/-9 inhibitor, AQU-118, attenuated mechanical allodynia while at the same time significantly reduced the levels of caspase-3 in the DRG.

scholarly journals The P2X7 Receptor Is Involved in Diabetic Neuropathic Pain Hypersensitivity Mediated by TRPV1 in the Rat Dorsal Root Ganglion

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anhui Wang ◽  
Xiangchao Shi ◽  
Ruoyang Yu ◽  
Bao Qiao ◽  
Runan Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Dorsal Root Ganglion ◽  
Rat Model ◽  
Dorsal Root ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential ◽  
Intrathecal Injection ◽  
Receptor Potential ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid ◽  
Diabetic Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Satellite Glial Cells

The purinergic 2X7 (P2X7) receptor expressed in satellite glial cells (SGCs) is involved in the inflammatory response, and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) participates in the process of neurogenic inflammation, such as that in diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) and peripheral neuralgia. The main purpose of this study was to explore the role of the P2X7 receptor in DNP hypersensitivity mediated by TRPV1 in the rat and its possible mechanism. A rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus-related neuropathic pain (NPP) named the DNP rat model was established in this study. The mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) of DNP rats were increased after intrathecal injection of the P2X7 receptor antagonist A438079, and the mRNA and protein levels of TRPV1 in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) were decreased in DNP rats treated with A438079 compared to untreated DNP rats; in addition, A438079 also decreased the phosphorylation of p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) in the DNP group. Based on these results, the P2X7 receptor might be involved in DNP mediated by TRPV1.

scholarly journals Upregulation of EMMPRIN (OX47) in Rat Dorsal Root Ganglion Contributes to the Development of Mechanical Allodynia after Nerve Injury

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qun Wang ◽  
Yanyuan Sun ◽  
Yingna Ren ◽  
Yandong Gao ◽  
Li Tian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Dorsal Root Ganglion ◽  
Nerve Injury ◽  
Messenger Rna ◽  
Dorsal Root ◽  
Mechanical Allodynia ◽  
Cellular Localization ◽  
Altered Expression

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are widely implicated in inflammation and tissue remodeling associated with various neurodegenerative diseases and play an important role in nociception and allodynia. Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase Inducer (EMMPRIN) plays a key regulatory role for MMP activities. However, the role of EMMPRIN in the development of neuropathic pain is not clear. Western blotting, real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), and immunofluorescence were performed to determine the changes of messenger RNA and protein of EMMPRIN/OX47 and their cellular localization in the rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) after nerve injury. Paw withdrawal threshold test was examined to evaluate the pain behavior in spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model. The lentivirus containing OX47 shRNA was injected into the DRG one day before SNL. The expression level of both mRNA and protein of OX47 was markedly upregulated in ipsilateral DRG after SNL. OX47 was mainly expressed in the extracellular matrix of DRG. Administration of shRNA targeted against OX47 in vivo remarkably attenuated mechanical allodynia induced by SNL. In conclusion, peripheral nerve injury induced upregulation of OX47 in the extracellular matrix of DRG. RNA interference against OX47 significantly suppressed the expression of OX47 mRNA and the development of mechanical allodynia. The altered expression of OX47 may contribute to the development of neuropathic pain after nerve injury.

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