Nerve growth factor contributes to the generation of inflammatory sensory hypersensitivity.
Experimental inflammation produced by an intraplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant results in local sensory hypersensitivity and up-regulates the neuropeptides substance P and calcitonin gene related peptide in the primary sensory neurons innervating the inflamed tissue. The inflammation also elevates nerve growth factor levels in the skin. Systemic administration of anti-NGF neutralizing antibodies prevent the behavioral sensitivity, the up-regulation of neuropeptides and the inflammation-induced expression of the immediate early gene c-fos in dorsal horn neurons, without modifying swelling and erythema. Elevation of the neurotrophin NGF in the periphery is a major contributor, therefore, of inflammatory pain.
Woolf
C J
CJ
Department of Anatomy & Developmental Biology, University College London, U.K.
Safieh-Garabedian
B
B
Ma
Q P
QP
Crilly
P
P
Winter
J
J
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000494:pharmacology; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D016762:Genes, fos; D006967:Hypersensitivity; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013373:Substance P / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013997:Time Factors; D014425:Turpentine
D000906:Antibodies; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D013373:Substance P; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D014425:Turpentine