Permeability of Injured and Intact Peripheral Nerves and Dorsal Root Ganglia

2006 ◽  
Vol 105 (1) ◽  
pp. 146-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen E. Abram ◽  
Johnny Yi ◽  
Andreas Fuchs ◽  
Quinn H. Hogan

Background Nerve injury that produces behavioral changes of allodynia and hyperalgesia in animals is associated with electrophysiologic changes in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells. The introduction of drugs into the DRG or the peripheral nerve that alter calcium, sodium, or potassium channel activity may be of therapeutic benefit after nerve injury. For this reason, the authors sought to determine whether drugs that do not ordinarily cross the blood-nerve barrier will enter the DRG after intravenous or regional injection and to determine whether nerve injury alters drug access to DRGs or peripheral nerves. Methods Both intact and spinal nerve-ligated rats were injected with sodium fluorescein by intravenous, intrathecal, peri-DRG, perisciatic, and epidural routes. DRG, sciatic nerve, and spinal cord tissues were harvested and frozen, and histologic sections were analyzed quantitatively for tissue fluorescence. Results In both intact and nerve-injured animals, fluorescein accumulated in DRGs after intravenous, peri-DRG, and epidural injection. There was accumulation in the proximal portion of the ganglion after intrathecal injection. Minimal amounts of fluorescein were found in the sciatic nerve in intact animals after intravenous or perineural injection, but substantial amounts were found in some nerve fascicles in nerve-injured animals after both intravenous and perineural injection. There was almost no fluorescein found in the spinal cord except after intrathecal administration. Conclusions In both intact and nerve-injured animals, fluorescein accumulates freely in the DRG after intravenous, epidural, or paravertebral injection. The sciatic nerve is relatively impermeable to fluorescein, but access by either systemic or regional injection is enhanced after nerve injury.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Xu ◽  
Fan Yang ◽  
Lijuan Li ◽  
Xiaohong Liu ◽  
Xiaolu Lei ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The importance of P2X purinoceptors, CB2 receptor and microRNA-124(miR-124) in spinal cord microglia to the development of neuropathic pain was demonstrated in numerous previous studies. The upregulation of P2X4 and P2X7 receptors in spinal dorsal horn microglia is involved in the development of pain behavior caused by peripheral nerve injury. However, it is not clear whether the expression of P2X4 and P2X7 receptors at dorsal spinal cord will be influenced by CB2 receptor or miR-124 in rats after chronic sciatic nerve injury.Methods: Chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve was performed in rats to induce neuropathic pain. Tests of the mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) were carried out to assess the response of the paw to mechanical stimulus. The expression of miR-124, P2X4, P2X7 and CB2 receptor were detected with RT-PCR. The protein expression of P2X4, P2X7 and CB2 receptor, RhoA, ROCK1, ROCK2, p-p38MAPK and p-NF-kappaBp65 was detected with Western blotting analysis. Results: Intrathecal administration of CB2 receptor agonist AM1241 significantly attenuated CCI-induced mechanical allodynia and significantly inhibited the increased expression of P2X4 and P2X7 receptors at the mRNA and protein levels, which imply that P2X4 and P2X7 receptors expression are down-regulated by AM1241 in CCI rats. Western blot analysis showed that AM1241 suppressed the elevated expression of RhoA, ROCK1, ROCK2, p-p38MAPK and NF-κBp65 in the dorsal spinal cord induced by CCI. After administration with Y-27632 (ROCK inhibitor), SB203580 (P38MAPK inhibitor) or PDTC (NF-κB inhibitor), the levels of P2X4 and P2X7 receptors expression in the dorsal spinal cord were lower than those in CCI rats, which imply that the ROCK/P38MAPK pathway and NF-κB activation may contribute to the increased expression of P2X4 and P2X7 receptor. On the other hand, in CCI rats, AM1241 treatment evoked the increased expression of CB2 receptor and miRNA-124, which can be inhibited by intrathecal injection of CB2 receptor antagonist AM630, which indicate that the increased expression of miRNA-124 may be medicated by CB2 receptor activation. In addition, the increased expression of P2X4 and P2X7 receptors in the dorsal spinal cord of CCI rats were inhibited by miRNA-124 agomir. Furthermore, intrathecal injection of miRNA-124 agomir could efficiently inhibit the ROCK/P38MAPK pathway and NF-κB activation in CCI rats. Moreover, AM1241 treatment significantly inhibited the expression of P2X4 and P2X7 receptors, and this suppression is enhanced by pretreatment with miRNA-124 agomir. On the contrast, the inhibitory effect of AM1241 on the expression of P2X4 and P2X7 receptor can be reversed by pretreatment with miRNA-124 antagomir.Conclusions: In CCI rats, intrathecal injection of AM1241 could efficiently induce the increased expression of miRNA-124, while inhibiting the ROCK/P38MAPK pathway and NF-κB activation in dorsal spinal cord. CB2 receptor/miRNA-124 signaling induced the decreased P2X4 and P2X7 receptors expression via inhibit the ROCK/P38MAPK pathway and NF-κB activation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xueru Xu ◽  
Shaoxiong Fu ◽  
Xiaomei Shi ◽  
Rongguo Liu

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.


1986 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 929-945 ◽  
Author(s):  
J K Daniloff ◽  
G Levi ◽  
M Grumet ◽  
F Rieger ◽  
G M Edelman

Peripheral nerve injury results in short-term and long-term changes in both neurons and glia. In the present study, immunohistological and immunoblot analyses were used to examine the expression of the neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) and the neuron-glia cell adhesion molecule (Ng-CAM) within different parts of a functionally linked neuromuscular system extending from skeletal muscle to the spinal cord after peripheral nerve injury. Histological samples were taken from 3 to 150 d after crushing or transecting the sciatic nerve in adult chickens and mice. In unperturbed tissues, both N-CAM and Ng-CAM were found on nonmyelinated axons, and to a lesser extent on Schwann cells and myelinated axons. Only N-CAM was found on muscles. After denervation, the following changes were observed: The amount of N-CAM in muscle fibers increased transiently on the surface and in the cytoplasm, and in interstitial spaces between fibers. Restoration of normal N-CAM levels in muscle was dependent on reinnervation; in a chronically denervated state, N-CAM levels remained high. After crushing or cutting the nerve, the amount of both CAMs increased in the area surrounding the lesion, and the predominant form of N-CAM changed from a discrete Mr 140,000 component to the polydisperse high molecular weight embryonic form. Anti-N-CAM antibodies stained neurites, Schwann cells, and the perineurium of the regenerating sciatic nerve. Anti-Ng-CAM antibodies labeled neurites, Schwann cells and the endoneurial tubes in the distal stump. Changes in CAM distribution were observed in dorsal root ganglia and in the spinal cord only after the nerve was cut. The fibers within affected dorsal root ganglia were more intensely labeled for both CAMs, and the motor neurons in the ventral horn of the spinal cord of the affected segments were stained more intensely in a ring pattern by anti-N-CAM and anti-Ng-CAM than their counterparts on the side contralateral to the lesion. Taken together with the previous studies (Rieger, F., M. Grumet, and G. M. Edelman, J. Cell Biol. 101:285-293), these data suggest that local signals between neurons and glia may regulate CAM expression in the spinal cord and nerve during regeneration, and that activity may regulate N-CAM expression in muscle. Correlations of the present observations are made here with established events of nerve degeneration and suggest a number of roles for the CAMs in regenerative events.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


2002 ◽  
Vol 97 (4) ◽  
pp. 972-980 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia M. Lavand'homme ◽  
Weiya Ma ◽  
Marc De Kock ◽  
James C. Eisenach

Background Nerve injury in animals increases alpha(2)-adrenoceptor expression in dorsal root ganglion cells and results in novel excitatory responses to their activation, perhaps leading to the phenomenon of sympathetically maintained pain. In contrast to this notion, peripheral alpha(2)-adrenoceptor stimulation fails to induce pain in patients with chronic pain. We hypothesized that alpha(2) adrenoceptors at the site of nerve injury play an inhibitory, not excitatory role. Methods Partial sciatic nerve ligation was performed on rats, resulting in a reduction in withdrawal threshold to tactile stimulation. Animals received perineural injection at the injury site of clonidine, saline, or clonidine plus an alpha(2)-adrenergic antagonist, and withdrawal threshold was monitored. Immunohistochemistry was performed on the sciatic nerve ipsi- and contralateral to injury and on the spinal cord. Results Clonidine reduced this hypersensitivity in a dose-dependent manner, and this was blocked by an alpha(2A)-preferring antagonist. Perineural clonidine injection had a slow onset (days) and prolonged duration (weeks). Systemic or intrathecal clonidine, or transient neural blockade with ropivacaine, had short lasting or no effect on hypersensitivity. alpha(2A)-adrenoceptor immunostaining was increased near the site of peripheral nerve injury, both in neurons and in immune cells (macrophages and T lymphocytes). Phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein (pCREB) in lumbar spinal cord was increased ipsilateral to nerve injury, and this was reduced 1 week after perineural clonidine injection. Conclusions These data suggest that peripheral alpha(2) adrenoceptors are concentrated at the site of peripheral nerve injury, and their activation receptors produce long-lasting reductions in abnormal spinal cord gene activation and mechanical hypersensitivity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 791-797
Author(s):  
Qiong Xiang ◽  
Jing-Jing Li ◽  
Chun-Yan Li ◽  
Rong-Bo Tian ◽  
Xian-Hui Li

Background: Our previous study has indicated that somatostatin potently inhibits neuropathic pain through the activation of its type 2 receptor (SSTR2) in mouse dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord. However, the underlying mechanism of this activation has not been elucidated clearly Objective: The aim of this study is to perform the pharmacological studies on the basis of sciatic nerve-pinch mice model and explore the underlying mechanism involving SSTR2. Methods: On the basis of a sciatic nerve-pinch injury model, we aimed at comparing the painful behavior and dorsal root ganglion neurons neurochemical changes after the SSTR2 antibody (anti- SSTR2;5μl,1μg/ml) administration in the mouse. Results: After pinch nerve injury, we found that the mechanical hyperalgesia and severely painful behavior (autotomy) were detected after the application of SSTR2 antibody (anti-SSTR2; 5μl, 1μg/ml) on the pinch-injured nerve. The up-regulated phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) expression and the apoptotic marker (i.e., Bax) were significantly decreased in DRGs after anti-SSTR2 treatment. Conclusion: The current data suggested that inhibitory changes in proteins from the apoptotic pathway in anti-SSTR2-treated groups might be taking place to overcome the protein deficits caused by SSTR2 antibody and supported the new therapeutic intervention with SSTR2 antagonist for neuronal degeneration following nerve injury.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 263-269
Author(s):  
A. A. Starinets ◽  
E. L. Egorova ◽  
A. A. Tyrtyshnaia ◽  
I. V. Dyuisen ◽  
A. N. Baryshev ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 174480692110066
Author(s):  
Orest Tsymbalyuk ◽  
Volodymyr Gerzanich ◽  
Aaida Mumtaz ◽  
Sanketh Andhavarapu ◽  
Svetlana Ivanova ◽  
...  

Background Neuropathic pain following peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is linked to neuroinflammation in the spinal cord marked by astrocyte activation and upregulation of interleukin 6 (IL -6 ), chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1), with inhibition of each individually being beneficial in pain models. Methods Wild type (WT) mice and mice with global or pGfap-cre- or pGFAP-cre/ERT2-driven Abcc8/SUR1 deletion or global Trpm4 deletion underwent unilateral sciatic nerve cuffing. WT mice received prophylactic (starting on post-operative day [pod]-0) or therapeutic (starting on pod-21) administration of the SUR1 antagonist, glibenclamide (10 µg IP) daily. We measured mechanical and thermal sensitivity using von Frey filaments and an automated Hargreaves method. Spinal cord tissues were evaluated for SUR1-TRPM4, IL-6, CCL2 and CXCL1. Results Sciatic nerve cuffing in WT mice resulted in pain behaviors (mechanical allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia) and newly upregulated SUR1-TRPM4 in dorsal horn astrocytes. Global and pGfap-cre-driven Abcc8 deletion and global Trpm4 deletion prevented development of pain behaviors. In mice with Abcc8 deletion regulated by pGFAP-cre/ERT2, after pain behaviors were established, delayed silencing of Abcc8 by tamoxifen resulted in gradual improvement over the next 14 days. After PNI, leakage of the blood-spinal barrier allowed entry of glibenclamide into the affected dorsal horn. Daily repeated administration of glibenclamide, both prophylactically and after allodynia was established, prevented or reduced allodynia. The salutary effects of glibenclamide on pain behaviors correlated with reduced expression of IL-6, CCL2 and CXCL1 by dorsal horn astrocytes. Conclusion SUR1-TRPM4 may represent a novel non-addicting target for neuropathic pain.


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