Distribution of inducible nitric oxide synthase and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the peripheral nervous system of Lewis rats during ascending paresis and spontaneous recovery from experimental autoimmune neuritis.
BACKGROUND
Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) are pleiotropic molecules with widespread action in autoimmune diseases.


OBJECTIVE
This study characterizes the distribution of iNOS and TNF-alpha in the spinal nerve roots, dorsal root ganglia and sciatic nerve of Lewis rats during experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN).


METHODS
Macrophages and neutrophils were identified by immunofluorescence as cellular sources of iNOS and TNF-alpha at various stages of EAN induced by synthetic peptide 26.


RESULTS
As the disease progressed, iNOS- and TNF-alpha-bearing cells gradually infiltrated the cauda equina, dorsal root ganglia, Th12-L3 spinal roots, and the sciatic nerve. A severer EAN profile developed when more iNOS- and TNF-alpha-bearing cells were present, and the recovery from EAN was related to the disappearance of these cells and the regeneration of nerve fibers.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report to show iNOS- and TNF-alpha-immunoreactive cells in dorsal root ganglia during EAN, suggesting an underlying pathology for the neuropathic pain behavior in EAN. Our results suggest that the cells bearing iNOS and TNF-alpha in the different parts of the peripheral nervous system are involved in the development of the clinical signs observed at each stage of EAN.
De La Hoz
Cristiane L R
CL
Department of Anatomy, Cellular Biology and Physiology, State University of Campinas, 13083-970 Campinas, Brazil.
Castro
Fabiano R
FR
Santos
Leonilda M B
LM
Langone
Francesco
F
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D020275:Guillain-Barre Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D009444:Neuritis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000378:metabolism*; D010291:Paresis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000276:immunology; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; C496318:Nos2 protein, rat