Repeated hapten exposure induces persistent tactile sensitivity in mice modeling localized provoked vulvodynia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Vulvodynia is a remarkably prevalent chronic pain condition of unknown etiology. Epidemiologic studies associate the risk of vulvodynia with a history of atopic disease. We used an established model of hapten-driven contact hypersensitivity to investigate the underlying mechanisms of allergy-provoked prolonged sensitivity to pressure.

Methods

We sensitized female ND4 Swiss mice to the hapten oxazolone on their flanks, and subsequently challenged them four days later with oxazolone or vehicle for ten consecutive days on the labia. We evaluated labiar sensitivity to touch, local mast cell accumulation, and hyperinnervation after ten challenges.

Results

Oxazolone-challenged mice developed significant tactile sensitivity that persisted for over three weeks afte

SUBMITTER: Landry J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5291437 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature