Acupuncture at ST36 for alleviating Central Sensitization in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Study on the Regulatory Mechanism of Lgals3bp Based on Quantitative Proteomics

ABSTRACT: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as a chronic autoimmune disease, is characterized by persistent joint pain and functional impairment. Recent studies have confirmed that pain, as the most prominent clinical symptom in RA patients, is closely related to multidimensional pathological processes, including the combined effects of peripheral nerve sensitization and central nervous system sensitization. This study investigates the regulatory mechanisms of acupuncture intervention on central sensitization processes using a mouse model of adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) induced by Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA). The research employs quantitative proteomics analysis, Western blot, immunofluorescence , and real-time quantitative PCR to monitor changes in key signaling molecules within spinal astrocytes. Experimental data indicate that acupuncture treatment significantly alleviates CFA-induced hyperalgesia, with its mechanism closely related to the downregulation of Lgals3bp protein expression in spinal astrocytes. Further molecular studies reveal that acupuncture effectively reduces the transcription levels of pro-inflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-6, and CXCL5 by inhibiting the phosphorylation and activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. These findings suggest that acupuncture may alleviate central sensitization by modulating the neuroimmune network mediated by glial cells. This study not only provides new experimental evidence for the central analgesic mechanism of acupuncture in treating RA but also elucidates the crucial role of the Lgals3bp/NF-κB signaling axis in neuroimmune regulation, offering important theoretical basis for clinical practice.

ORGANISM(S): Mus Musculus

SUBMITTER: Zhiyu Zheng  

PROVIDER: PXD068173 | iProX | Mon Sep 08 00:00:00 BST 2025

REPOSITORIES: iProX