Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Neuropathic pain is characterized by hyperalgesia, allodynia and spontaneous pain. It often occurs as a result of injury to peripheral nerves, dorsal root ganglions (DRG), spinal cord, or brain. Recent studies have suggested that Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) might play a role in neuropathic pain.Methodology/principal findings
In this study, we investigated the role of TLR4 in a rat chronic constriction injury (CCI) model and explored the feasibility of treating neuropathic pain by inhibiting TLR4. Our results demonstrated that intrathecal siRNA-mediated suppression of TLR4 attenuated CCI-induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia through inhibiting the activation of NF-kappaB p65 and production of proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta).Conclusions/significance
These findings suggest that suppression of TLR4 mediated by intrathecally administered siRNA may be a new strategy for the treatment of neuropathic pain.
SUBMITTER: Wu FX
PROVIDER: S-EPMC2920570 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Wu Fei-xiang FX Bian Jin-jun JJ Miao Xue-rong XR Huang Sheng-dong SD Xu Xue-wu XW Gong De-jun DJ Sun Yu-ming YM Lu Zhi-jie ZJ Yu Wei-feng WF
International journal of medical sciences 20100802 5
<h4>Background</h4>Neuropathic pain is characterized by hyperalgesia, allodynia and spontaneous pain. It often occurs as a result of injury to peripheral nerves, dorsal root ganglions (DRG), spinal cord, or brain. Recent studies have suggested that Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) might play a role in neuropathic pain.<h4>Methodology/principal findings</h4>In this study, we investigated the role of TLR4 in a rat chronic constriction injury (CCI) model and explored the feasibility of treating neuropat ...[more]