Korean J Anesthesiol.  2015 Apr;68(2):159-169. 10.4097/kjae.2015.68.2.159.

The time-course and RNA interference of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-1beta expression on neuropathic pain induced by L5 spinal nerve transection in rats

• Choi BM
• Lee SH
• An SM
• Park DY
• Lee GW
• Noh GJ

• KMID: 2236156
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2015.68.2.159

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to investigate the time-course of the expression of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-1beta after L5 spinal nerve transection (SNT), and to determine the effect of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting these cytokines on neuropathic pain.
METHODS
Rats received control siRNA (CON group, n = 80) or a cocktail of siRNAs targeting these cytokines (COCK group, n = 70). The siRNAs were given via intrathecal catheter 1 d prior to SNT, on the operation day, and 1, 2 and 3 d postoperatively. Behavioral tests and levels of the cytokine mRNAs and proteins as well as glial cell activity were following the L5 SNT.
RESULTS
In the CON group, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta mRNA levels increased immediately after SNT and remained high for 6 d, while IL-6 transcripts only began to increase after 12 h. TNF-alpha and IL-1beta mRNA levels in the COCK group were lower than in the CON group at all time points (P < 0.05). In the behavioral tests, allodynia and hyperalgesia were significantly lower in the COCK group from 2 d after SNT (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
The time courses of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-1beta mRNA expression after L5 SNT differ. RNA interference may be a method of reducing the development of mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia in response to nerve injury.

Keyword

Cytokine; Neuropathic pain; RNA interference

MeSH Terms

Animals
Catheters
Cytokines
Hyperalgesia
Interleukin-6*
Neuralgia*
Neuroglia
Rats*
RNA Interference*
RNA, Messenger
RNA, Small Interfering
Spinal Nerves*
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha*
Cytokines
Interleukin-6
RNA, Messenger
RNA, Small Interfering
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha