Abstract
Background
The underlying mechanism of chronic pain involves the plasticity in synaptic receptors and neurotransmitters. This study aimed to investigate potential roles of neuroligins (NLs) within the spinal dorsal horn of rats in a newly established bone cancer pain (BCP) model.
Methods
Using our rat BCP model, we assessed pain hypersensitivity over time. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis were performed to investigate NL expression, and NLs were overexpressed in the rat spinal cord using lentiviral vectors. Immunofluorescence staining and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were deployed to investigate the role of NLs in the development of BCP.
Results
We observed reduced expression levels of NL1 and NL2, but not NL3, within the rat spinal cord, which were found to be associated with and essential for the development of BCP in our model. Accordingly, NL1 or NL2 overexpression in the spinal cord alleviated mechanical hypersensitivity of rats. Electrophysiological experiments indicated that NL1 and NL2 are involved in BCP via regulating γ-aminobutyric acid-ergic interneuronal synapses and the activity of glutamatergic interneuronal synapses, respectively.
Conclusions
Our observations unravel the role of NLs in cancer-related chronic pain and further suggest that inhibitory mechanisms are central features of BCP in the spinal dorsal horn. These results provide a new perspective and basis for subsequent studies elucidating the onset and progression of BCP.
Electrical peripheral nerve stimulation relieves bone cancer pain by inducing Arc protein expression in the spinal cord dorsal horn
