title: Up-regulation of spinal microglial Iba-1 expression persists after resolution of neuropathic pain hypersensitivity.
abstract: Spinal microglial activation plays a major role in the development of neuropathic pain following peripheral nerve injury. We here provide evidence for an elevated expression of the microglial marker Iba-1 in the lumbar dorsal horn ipsilateral to L5 spinal nerve transection that persists for at least 14 weeks, a time at which mechanical hypersensitivity had fully resolved. Iba-1 expression was, however; significantly lower than at 4 weeks. We therefore conclude that microglia remain partly activated beyond the phase of pain hypersensitivity. Thus, the relation between microglial cells and neuropathic pain outcome is subject to change over time after nerve injury.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuroscience, Group of Neuropharmacology, Université catholique de Louvain, Avenue Hippocrate B1.54.10, 1200 Brussels, Belgium; Department of Neurology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Straße 11, 97080 Würzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leinders
authors.forename: Liesbeth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Knaepen
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Kock
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sommer
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hermans
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Deumens
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006930:Hyperalgesia / Q000503:physiopathology; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D017628:Microglia / Q000378:metabolism*; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013127:Spinal Nerves / Q000293:injuries*; D013997:Time Factors; D014110:Touch; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: C100745:Aif1 protein, rat; D015415:Biomarkers; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D008840:Microfilament Proteins
keywords: CR-3; Iba-1; Inflammation; Nerve injury; PWT; Pain mechanisms; Rat; SNT; Spinal cord; complement receptor-3; ionized calcium-binding adapter protein; paw withdrawal threshold; spinal nerve transection