Inhibition of peripheral macrophages by nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists suppresses spinal microglial activation and neuropathic pain in mice with peripheral nerve injury.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Neuro-immune interaction underlies chronic neuroinflammation and aberrant sensory processing resulting in neuropathic pain. Despite the pathological significance of both neuroinflammation-driven peripheral sensitization and spinal sensitization, the functional relationship between these two distinct events has not been understood.

Methods

In this study, we determined whether inhibition of inflammatory macrophages by administration of α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists improves neuropathic pain and affects microglial activation in the spinal dorsal horn (SDH) in mice following partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSL). Expression levels of neuroinflammatory molecules were evaluated by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry, and PSL-induced mechanical allod

SUBMITTER: Kiguchi N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5872578 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature