Ionotropic glutamate receptors contribute to maintained neuronal hyperexcitability following spinal cord injury in rats

In this study, we examined whether topical treatment of glutamate receptor antagonists attenuate hyperexcitability of lumbar spinal dorsal horn neurons following low thoracic hemisection spinal cord injury in rats. Four weeks after spinal hemisection, neuronal activity in response to mechanical stimuli applied on the peripheral receptive field was significantly increased in three different phenotypes of lumbar spinal dorsal horn neurons: wide dynamic range (WDR), low threshold (LT) and high threshold (HT). Topical application of MK-801 (NMDA receptor antagonist, 50 µg) significantly attenuated the activity of WDR, but not LT and HT neurons; whereas, NBQX (AMPA receptor antagonist, 0.5 and 1 µg) significantly attenuated neuronal activity in all three phenotypes of neurons (*p < 0.05). However, MCPG (group I/II metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist, 100 µg) had no effect. The present study, in the context of previous work, suggests that ionotropic glutamate receptor activation play critical roles in the maintenance of neuronal hyperexcitability and neuropathic “below-level” pain behavior following spinal hemisection injury.     

Activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in spinal microglia mediates morphine antinociceptive tolerance

Compelling evidence has suggested that spinal glial cells were activated by chronic morphine treatment and involved in the development of morphine tolerance. However, the mechanisms of glial activation were still largely unknown in morphine tolerance. In present study, we investigated the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) in the spinal cord in the development of chronic morphine antinociceptive tolerance. We found that intrathecal administration of morphine (15 microg) daily for 7 consecutive days significantly induced an increase in number of phospho-p38 (p-p38) immunoreactive cells in the spinal cord compared with chronic saline or acute morphine treated rats. Double immunofluorescence staining revealed that p-p38 immunoreactivity was exclusively restricted in the activated spinal microglia, not in astrocytes or neurons. Repeated intrathecal administration of 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole (SB203580) (10 microg or 2 microg), a specific p38 inhibitor, 30 min before each morphine injection for 7 consecutive days significantly attenuated tolerance to morphine analgesia assessed by tail flick test. However, a single intrathecal administration of SB203580 (10 microg) did not antagonize the established tolerance to morphine analgesia. Taken together, these findings suggested that p38 MAPK activation in the spinal microglia was involved in the development of morphine antinociceptive tolerance. Inhibition of p38 MAPK by SB203580 in the spinal cord attenuated but not reversed the tolerance to morphine analgesia. The present study provides the first evidence that p38 activation in spinal microglia played an important role in the development of tolerance to morphine analgesia.     

NOS、p38MAPK、Caspase-3介导大鼠脑缺血神经细胞凋亡可能通路的实验研究

目的探讨脑缺血后细胞凋亡发生的可能机制以及神经元型一氧化氮合酶(neuronal nitric oxide synthase,nNOS)、诱导型一氧化氮合酶(inducible nitric oxide synthase,iNOS)、p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(mitogen activated proteinkinasep38,p38MAPK)和半光氨酸蛋白酶-3(caspase-3)在脑缺血后神经细胞凋亡中的共同作用机制。方法采用线栓法闭塞大鼠大脑中动脉(middle cerebral artery occlusion,MACO)建立脑缺血SD大鼠模型,应用透射电镜观察脑缺血对脑组织超微结构的影响,流式细胞仪方法(FCM)分别定量检测细胞凋亡率,半定量RT-PCR检测nNOS、iNOS,p38MAPK和Caspase-3mRNA表达水平。结果透视电镜下脑缺血6h出现核固缩,缺血12h出现细胞核分裂,缺血24h出现凋亡小体;FCM检测细胞凋亡百分率随着缺血时间延长而增加,缺血72h达到高峰,约70.37%;RT-PCR产物的琼脂糖凝胶电泳显示nNOS、iNOS、p38MAPK和Caspase-3mRNA的特异性片段大小分别为501、342、250和342bp,但mRNA表达量不一致,nNOS mRNA主要在缺血早期表达,iNOS、p38MAPK和Caspase-3mRNA在缺血中晚期表达,并在缺血3~5d,后三种基因的表达量达到高峰。结论脑缺血区域发生典型的神经细胞凋亡现象,nNOS来源的NOS在缺血早期发挥神经毒性作用,iNOS来源的NOS在缺血晚期发挥神经毒性作用;NOS,p38MAPK和Caspase-3三种基因的相互关系可能构成介导缺血神经细胞凋亡的通路之一。     

p38 activation in uninjured primary afferent neurons and in spinal microglia contributes to the development of neuropathic pain induced by selective motor fiber injury

Compelling evidence shows that the adjacent uninjured primary afferents play an important role in the development of neuropathic pain after nerve injury. The underlying mechanisms, however, are largely unknown. In the present study, the selective motor fiber injury was performed by L5 ventral root transection (L5 VRT), and p38 activation in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and L5 spinal dorsal horn was examined. The results showed that phospho-p38 immunoreactivity (p-p38-IR) was increased in both L4 and L5 DRGs, starting on day 1 and persisting for nearly 3 weeks (P<0.05) following L5 VRT and that the activated p38 was confined in neurons, especially in IB4 positive C-type neurons. L5 VRT also induced p38 activation in L5 spinal dorsal horn, occurred at the first day after the lesion and lasted for 2 weeks (P<0.05). The activated p38 is restricted entirely in spinal microglia. In contrast, selective injury of sensory neurons by L5 dorsal root transection (L5 DRT) failed to induce behavioral signs of neuropathic pain and activated p38 only in L5 DRG but not in L4 DRG and L5 spinal dorsal horn. Intraperitoneal injection of thalidomide, an inhibitor of TNF-alpha synthesis, prevented p38 activation in DRG and spinal cord. Intrathecal injection of p38 inhibitor SB203580, starting before L5 VRT, inhibited the abnormal pain behaviors. Post-treatment with SB203580 performed at the 1st day or at the 8th day after surgery also reduced established neuropathic pain. These data suggest that p38 activation in uninjured DRGs neurons and in spinal microglia is necessary for the initiation and maintenance of neuropathic pain induced by L5 VRT.     

Transforming growth factor-activated kinase 1 induced in spinal astrocytes contributes to mechanical hypersensitivity after nerve injury

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) plays an important role in the induction and maintenance of neuropathic pain. Transforming growth factor-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), a member of the MAPK kinase kinase family, is indispensable for the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAPK. We now show that TAK1 induced in spinal cord astrocytes is crucial for mechanical hypersensitivity after peripheral nerve injury. Nerve injury induced a striking increase in the expression of TAK1 in the ipsilateral dorsal horn, and TAK1 was increased in hyperactive astrocytes, but not in neurons or microglia. Intrathecal administration of TAK1 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AS-ODN) prevented and reversed nerve injury-induced mechanical, but not heat hypersensitivity. Furthermore, TAK1 AS-ODN suppressed the activation of JNK1, but not p38 MAPK, in spinal astrocytes. In contrast, there was no change in TAK1 expression in primary sensory neurons, and TAK1 AS-ODN did not attenuate the induction of transient receptor potential ion channel TRPV1 in sensory neurons. Taken together, these results demonstrate that TAK1 upregulation in spinal astrocytes has a substantial role in the development and maintenance of mechanical hypersensitivity through the JNK1 pathway. Thus, preventing the TAK1/JNK1 signaling cascade in astrocytes might provide a fruitful strategy for treating intractable neuropathic pain.     

p38MAPK信号转导通路参与免疫介导的豚鼠脊髓运动神经元损伤

目的明确p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38MAPK)信号转导通路是否参与免疫介导的豚鼠脊髓运动神经元损伤。方法免疫组织化学检测磷酸化p38MAPK(p-p38MAPK)在豚鼠脊髓内的表达与分布。结果免疫后瘫痪豚鼠及免疫后未瘫痪豚鼠的颈膨大p-p38MAPK免疫反应阳性神经元数目较正常对照组、免疫对照组均有显著性增加(P<0.01);免疫后瘫痪豚鼠的腰膨大p-p38MAPK免疫反应阳性神经元数目较免疫后未瘫痪豚鼠、正常对照组、免疫对照组均有显著性增加(P<0.01)。结论p38MAPK信号转导通路在实验性自身免疫性灰质病动物模型脊髓运动神经元变性中发挥了一定的作用。     

Forced retraction of spinal root injury enhances activation of p38 MAPK cascade in infiltrating macrophages

Root‐rupture injury is a type of preganglionic brachial plexus injury resulting from traction force, where a small section of the spinal root is usually left behind. We have established experimental models of both root‐rupture injury with traction force and rhizotomy without traction force in rats and we examined the activation of microglia/macrophages in both conditions. LGP107 and LGP96, which are rat homologs of lysosome‐associated membrane proteins, were most useful as immunohistochemical markers of mononuclear phagocytes. The metabolic activation of macrophages was analyzed by immunohistochemistry with a series of antibodies against tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐alpha), cathepsin B, p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), and mitogen‐activated kinase kinase 3 (MKK3). Both root‐rupture injury and rhizotomy rapidly induced the aggregation of numerous macrophages from the injured dorsal root to the dorsal funiculus and TNF‐alpha was highly expressed by the macrophages in the injured dorsal root at 48 h. Activation of p38 MAPK was preferentially observed in the macrophages at the ruptured dorsal root; however, only slight activation of p38 MAPK was observed at the rhizotomized dorsal root. These findings suggest that traction injury of the spinal root might induce activation of the p38 MAPK cascade and production of TNF‐alpha in the infiltrating macrophages, both of which might participate in aggravation of the root injury.     

Activation of p38 MAP kinase is involved in central neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury

Recent work regarding chronic central neuropathic pain (CNP) following spinal cord injury (SCI) suggests that activation of key signaling molecules such as members of the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) family play a role in the expression of at-level mechanical allodynia. Previously, we have shown that the development of at-level CNP following moderate spinal cord injury is correlated with increased expression of the activated (and thus phosphorylated) forms of the MAPKs extracellular signal related kinase and p38 MAPK. The current study extends this work by directly examining the role of p38 MAPK in the maintenance of at-level CNP following spinal cord injury. Using a combination of behavioral, immunocytochemical, and electrophysiological measures we demonstrate that increased activation of p38 MAPK occurs in the spinal cord just rostral to the site of injury in rats that develop at-level mechanical allodynia after moderate SCI. Immunocytochemical analyses indicate that the increases in p38 MAPK activation occurred in astrocytes, microglia, and dorsal horn neurons in the spinal cord rostral to the site of injury. Inhibiting the enzymatic activity of p38 MAPK dose dependently reverses the behavioral expression of at-level mechanical allodynia and also decreases the hyperexcitability seen in thoracic dorsal horn neurons after moderate SCI. Taken together, these novel data are the first to demonstrate causality that increased activation of p38 MAPK in multiple cell types play an important role in the maintenance of at-level CNP following spinal cord injury.     

Leukotriene synthases and the receptors induced by peripheral nerve injury in the spinal cord contribute to the generation of neuropathic pain

Leukotrienes (LTs) belong to a large family of lipid mediators, termed eicosanoids, which are derived from arachidonic acids and released from the cell membrane by phospholipases. LTs are involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and peripheral inflammatory pain. In the present study, we examined whether LTs were implicated in pathomechanism of neuropathic pain following peripheral nerve injury. Using the spared nerve injury (SNI) model in rats, we investigated the expression of LT synthases (5‐lipoxygenase; 5‐LO, Five lipoxygenase activating protein; FLAP, LTA4 hydrolase; LTA4h and LTC4 synthase; LTC4s) and receptors (BLT1, 2 and CysLT1, 2) mRNAs in the rat spinal cord. Semi‐quantitative RT‐PCR revealed that 5‐LO, FLAP, LTC4s, BLT1, and CysLT1 mRNAs increased following SNI, but not CysLT2 mRNAs. Using double labeling analysis of in situ hybridization with immunohistochemistry, we observed that 5‐LO, FLAP, and CysLT1 mRNAs were expressed in spinal microglia. LTA4h and LTC4s mRNAs were expressed in both spinal neurons and microglia. BLT1 mRNA was expressed in spinal neurons. The p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase inhibitor, but not MEK inhibitor, reduced the increase in 5‐LO in spinal microglia. Continuous intrathecal administration of the 5‐LO inhibitor or BLT1 and CysLT1 receptor antagonists suppressed mechanical allodynia induced by SNI. Our findings suggest that the increase of LT synthesis in spinal microglia produced via p38 MAPK plays a role in the generation of neuropathic pain. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Spinal ERK activation contributes to the regulation of bladder function in spinal cord injured rats

The extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK) pathway, regulated by phosphorylation on specific amino acids, is emerging as an important signaling cascade in neurones, transducing sensory input into cellular responses. In the mammalian nervous system, the ERK pathway has been found to mediate plasticity events. Particularly, in the spinal cord, ERK play an important role in allodynia and hyperalgesia. Recently, it was demonstrated that ERK activation is upregulated in the spinal cord of rats with chronic bladder inflammation and contributes to bladder overactivity. Thus, in this study we sought to assess the involvement of ERK in micturition reflexes associated to spinal cord injury (SCI) in the rat. Bladder function in chronic SCI rats was altered compared to spinal intact rats. PhosphoERK levels were upregulated in the L6 spinal cord segment, particularly after saline infusion for 2 h. The increase in spinal ERK phosphorylation was specifically restricted to L6 spinal segment. No variation in the levels of total ERK protein was observed. Intrathecal administration of PD98059, a specific inhibitor of ERK phosphorylation, reduced the frequency and amplitude of bladder contractions in SCI animals but not in spinal intact ones. Overall, our results demonstrate increased activation of the ERK pathway in the spinal cord from SCI rats, restricted to spinal segments that receive sensory input arising from the bladder. Since the use of PD98059 reduced the frequency and amplitude of bladder contractions, ERK inhibitors may provide a new therapeutic approach to the treatment of bladder overactivity after spinal injuries.     

实验性大鼠尾壳核脑出血后p38MAPK、ICAM-1的动态表达

目的探讨脑出血后血肿周围组织p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38M APK)和细胞间粘附分子-1(I-CAM-1)的动态变化。方法健康雄性W istar大鼠42只,将动物随机分成假手术组和脑出血组,采用免疫组织化学方法观察术后不同时间点p38M APK和ICAM-1的动态变化。结果脑出血组各时间点血肿周围组织均有不同程度磷酸化p38M APK阳性细胞表达,脑出血后3h周围组织即有表达,于6h出现广泛性表达,24h时达最高峰,持续至5d仍有表达。ICAM-1的表达在48h达高峰,随后渐下降。结论脑出血后脑组织损伤诱导p38M APK和ICAM-1的表达,二者可能参与了脑出血后脑组织损伤的病理机制。     

Structural changes of anterior horn neurons and their synaptic input caudal to a low thoracic spinal cord hemisection in the adult rat: a light and electron microscopic study

Structural changes in lumbosacral ventral horn neurons and their synaptic input were studied at 3, 10, 21, 42, and 90 days following low thoracic cord hemisection in adult rats by light microscopic examination of synaptophysin immunoreactivity (SYN-IR) and by electron microscopy. There was an ipsilateral transient decrease in SYN-IR at the somal and proximal dendritic surfaces of anterior horn neurons which extended caudally from the site of injury over a postoperative (p.o.) period of 42 days. Concomitantly, at 21 days p.o., perineuronal SYN-IR started to recover in upper lumbar segments. By 90 days p.o., a normal staining pattern of SYN was noted in upper and mid lumbar segments, but the perineuronal SYN-IR was still slightly below normal levels in low lumbar and sacral segments. Electron microscopy revealed ultrastructural changes coincident with the alterations in SYN-IR. At 3 days p.o., phagocytosis of degenerating axon terminals by activated microglial cells was observed at the somal and proximal dendritic surfaces of ventral horn neurons. These changes were most prominent up to two segments caudal to the lesion. At 10 days p.o., advanced stages of bouton phagocytosis were still detectable in all lumbosacral motor nuclei. Additionally, abnormal axon terminals, with a few dispersed synaptic vesicles and accumulations of large mitochondria, appeared at the scalloped somal surfaces of anterior horn neurons. At 21 days p.o., several large lumbosacral motoneurons had developed chromatolysis-like ultrastructural alterations and motoneuronal cell bodies had become partially covered by astrocytic lamellae. At 42 days p.o., there was a transient appearance of polyribosomes in some M-type boutons. In addition, at 42 and 90 days p.o., a few degenerating motoneurons were detected in all lumbosacral segments, but most displayed normal neuronal cell bodies contacted by numerous intact synapses as well as by astrocytic processes. In contrast to these striking alterations of synaptic input at somal and proximal dendritic surfaces of motoneurons, relatively few degenerating boutons were detected in the neuropil of motor nuclei at all the p.o. times studied. We suggest that the preferential disturbance of the predominantly inhibitory axosomatic synapses on ventral horn neurons may be involved in the mechanisms which influence the well-established increase in motoneuronal excitability after spinal cord injury.     

生物素葡聚糖胺皮质脊髓束顺行示踪技术在大鼠脊髓损伤模型中的应用

目的探讨生物素葡聚糖胺(BDA)神经示踪技术及脊髓半横断损伤模型在大鼠脊髓损伤修复的实验研究中应用。方法采用成年Sprague-Dawley大鼠,分为脊髓致伤组(n=10)和致伤对照组(n=10)。致伤组动物在相当于T7椎板水平横行剪断脊髓的后2/3;对照组动物术中仅切除椎板,不切断脊髓。术后第15d,右侧开颅,用10?A示踪剂注入右侧的感觉运动区皮质内。2周后取出大脑和脊髓组织,采用自由漂乳法行BDA染色显影。术后实验动物功能测评采用BBB运动功能评分,所得数据采用Student'st-test进行统计学原理。结果(1)脊髓损伤组动物双后肢瘫痪,BBB运动功能评分明显低于损伤对照组,统计学比较差异十分显著(P<0.01);(2)BDA顺行示踪显示大脑皮层BDA注射区内见大脑皮层的锥体细胞及其发出的轴突呈阳性染色,BDA阳性染色的皮质脊髓束神经纤维在同侧中脑、桥脑及延髓的腹侧面行走,在锥体交叉后皮质脊髓束主要在对侧脊髓白质的后索中行走。在致伤组动物中,位于脊髓白质后索中的皮质脊髓束纤维在脊髓损伤处终止;对照组皮质脊髓束BDA染色可一直延伸至L1水平。结论大鼠半脊髓切断结合应用BDA顺行示踪技术可以对脊髓损伤后的神经修复状况进行可靠的形态学评判,是研究脊髓损伤后中枢神经纤维再生修复较为理想的动物模型     

大鼠脊髓损伤后巢蛋白表达

目的探讨成年大鼠脊髓损伤后损伤区局部巢蛋白（nestin）的表达及意义。方法应用Allen＇s法建立大鼠脊髓拟伤模型，行为学评分采用BBB评分（Basso，Beattie＆Bresnahan locomotor rating scale，BBB scale），观察局部病理组织学改变及用免疫荧光组织化学方法检测局部脊髓在不同时段nestin的阳性表达变化。结果伤后1w BBB评分最低，随后增加，到4w以后达到最高并进入平台期。常规病理学检查显示拟伤模型类似于临床常见的脊髓损伤。损伤后1W，可见损伤区附近nestin表达升高，2W达高峰，4W后nestin表达明显下调。结论脊髓损伤可诱导损伤区周围短暂的nestin阳性表达，后者可能存在脊髓损伤后的再生与修复中起重要作用。     

Effects of p38 MAPK signaling pathway on cognitive function and recovery of neuronal function after hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in newborn rats

To explore the effects of p38 MAPK signaling pathway on cognitive function and recovery of neuronal function after hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI) in newborn rats. Seventy-two healthy SPF grade SD newborn rats were randomly and equally divided into Normal group (healthy rats) and Sham group (rats underwent sham operation), Model group (HIBI model rats), p38 MAPK Inhibitor group (HIBI model rats treated with p38 MAPK inhibitor) and p38 MAPK Activator group (HIBI model rats treated with p38 MAPK activator). On postnatal day 28, Morris water maze, tail suspension test and inclined plane test were conducted on rats in each group. Twenty-four hours after modeling, the expression of p-p38 MAPK protein and apoptosis related genes in rat hippocampal tissues was detected by TUNEL staining, qRT-PCR and Western blot. Compared with Normal group, escape latency and inclined plane test time were prolonged, the number of passing through the platform and tail suspension time were reduced (all P < 0.05); Bax and Caspase-3 mRNA and protein expression levels and p-p38 MAPK protein level were increased, Bcl-2 mRNA level was decreased, and neuronal apoptosis proportion was increased in Model group (all P < 0.05). Compared with Model group, the above indicators showed reversed and enhanced trends in p38 MAPK Inhibitor and p38 MAPK Activator groups, respectively (all P < 0.05). Inhibition of p38 MAPK signaling pathway can effectively improve the learning and memory ability and motor function of newborn rats with HIBI, and reduce neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampal tissues, thereby promoting neuronal recovery.     

白细胞介素-10在脊髓损伤中的研究进展

一、白细胞介素-10(IL-10)概述 IL-10是一种免疫调节因子,人类内源IL-10产生的主要细胞是巨噬细胞和单核细胞.     

Implantation of neuronal suspensions into contusive injury sites in the adult rat spinal cord

Summary Implants of various types of neuronal and nonneuronal tissue have shown promise for the amelioration of certain disorders of the adult mammalian brain. Implants may also have therapeutic potential for some lesions of the spinal cord. To examine the feasibility of implantation for clinically relevant spinal cord injuries, we have implanted cells into injury sites produced by a well-characterized and standardized rat model of contusive injury. To reduce the possibility of the implantation procedure itself causing damage to the spinal cord, the tissue was dissociated and a suspension of cells introduced into the cord via a small bore needle. To test the implantation procedure, dissociated adult rat dorsal root ganglia were used because of the ease with which these neurons could be distinguished after implantation. The extent to which functional deficits were produced or exacerbated by the implantation procedure was assessed by behavioral tests of groups of rats that had been implanted (implant controls), contused (injury only) or contused and implanted (injury-implant). Survival of the implanted neurons was assessed by quantitative morphological analysis of histological sections taken through the injury/implant sites at different times following injury. In addition, the histopathology of the contusive injury sites was compared for rats that had or had not received immediate or delayed implants. Results indicated that cell suspensions could be implanted into the spinal cord without causing a functional deficit in an otherwise uninjured animal or exacerbating a standardized incomplete contusive injury. Implanted neurons survived for at least 4 weeks in all contusion sites whether implantation was performed immediately following injury or after a delay or 1 week. There was no significant difference in neuron survival among the groups at 2 h, 18 h or 1 week after implantation. The average number of surviving neurons expressed as a percentage of those counted immediately after implantation was about 90% at 2 h, 50% at 18 h and 30% at 1 week. However, at 4 weeks after implantation, significantly more neurons survived in the delayed group as compared to the immediate group. The results demonstrate the feasibility of implanting dissociated nervous tissue into the sites of clinically relevant experimental contusive injuries and lay the groundwork for investigating possible beneficial effects of implants of different types of neural or glial cell suspensions in the treatment of contusive spinal cord injuries.Suported by the Stroke and Trauma Program, NIH NINCDS, NO1-NS-2-2310 and NO1-NS-7-2301     

Cortical hyperexcitability in response to preserved spinothalamic inputs immediately after spinal cord hemisection

Chronic injury of the main somatosensory pathways ascending along the spinal cord - the dorsal columns and the spinothalamic tract - can produce both changes in the organization of cortical somatotopic maps and neuropathic pain. Little is known, however, about the early neurophysiological changes occurring immediately after injury. We bilaterally recorded the neural activity of the hindpaw representation of the primary somatosensory cortex evoked by stimuli delivered to the hindpaws before and immediately after a thoracic spinal cord hemisection in anesthetized rats. This unilateral spinal cord injury allowed us to separately investigate the cortical effects of deafferenting the dorsal column (stimuli ipsilateral to the hemisection) or the spinothalamic tract (stimuli contralateral to the hemisection). The hemisection produced immediate bilateral changes in the cortical responses evoked by stimuli delivered to the hindpaw ipsilateral to the hemisection (deafferented dorsal column): an expected loss of classical short-latency cortical responses, accompanied by an unexpected appearance of long-latency activations. At the population level, these activations reflected a progressive stimulus-induced transition of the hindpaw somatosensory cortex from up-and-down states to a sustained activated state. At the single-cell level, these cortical activations resembled the “wind-up” typically observed – with the same type of stimuli – in the dorsal horn cells originating the spinothalamic tract. Virtually no changes were observed in the responses evoked by stimuli delivered to the hindpaw contralateral to the hemisection (deafferented spinothalamic tract). These results suggest that spinal cord hemisection immediately produces an abnormal hyperexcitability of the primary somatosensory cortex in response to preserved spinothalamic inputs from the hindpaw. This immediate cortical hyperexcitability could be important to understand the long-term development of cortical reorganization and neuropathic pain after incomplete spinal cord lesions.