Robust spinal neuroinflammation mediates mechanical allodynia in Walker 256 induced bone cancer rats.

ABSTRACT: It has been reported that remarkable and sustained activation of astrocytes and/or microglia occurs in cancer induced pain (CIP), which is different from neuropathic and inflammatory pain. The present study was designed to investigate the role of spinal Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) induced glial neuroinflammation in cancer induced pain using a modified rat model of bone cancer. The rat model of CIP consisted of unilateral intra-tibial injection with Walker 256 mammary gland carcinoma. Nine days after Walker 256 inoculation, a robust activation of both astrocytes and microglia in bilateral spinal dorsal horn was observed together with significant bilateral mechanical allodynia. This neuroinflammation was characterized by enhanced immunostaining of both glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP,

SUBMITTER: Mao-Ying QL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3443428 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature