Administration of anti-GFAP antibodies increases CGRP expression and increases pain hypersensitivity in spinal cord injured animals.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in a multitude of cellular and pathological changes including neuronal loss, axonal damage, gliosis, and loss of motor and sensory function. In 40%-70% of patients, SCI can also trigger the development of neuropathic pain. Our previous study demonstrated that SCI patients who developed autoantibodies to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were at increased risk for the subsequent development of neuropathic pain. However, whether GFAP autoantibodies (GFAPab) contribute to the development of neuropathic pain after SCI had yet to be examined.

Objective

Using a mid-thoracic contusion model of SCI in male Sprague-Dawley rats, we examined the effect of exogenous anti-GFAP antibodies on SCI pathology, pain-associated molecular changes,

SUBMITTER: Hergenroeder GW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11873870 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature