脊髓小胶质细胞P2X_4受体在rrTNF诱导的病理性疼痛中的作用

目的:研究P2X4受体在坐骨神经周围给予重组大鼠TNF-α(recombinant rat TNF-α,rr TNF)引起的机械痛敏中的作用。方法:采用雄性SD大鼠(180~200 g),Western blot检测坐骨神经周围给予rr TNF后3 d、7d和14 d脊髓背角P2X4受体的表达水平,免疫荧光双染观察脊髓背角P2X4受体的表达部位;在坐骨神经周围给予rr TNF的大鼠前鞘内注射TNP-ATP,行为学检测大鼠50%机械撤足阈值的变化,Western blot检测脊髓背角TNF-α的表达是否发生变化。结果:与对照组相比,坐骨神经周围给予rr TNF(100 ng/L)后3 d、7 d和14 d同侧脊髓背角P2X4受体的表达水平明显升高(P0.01);P2X4受体只表达于小胶质细胞中,神经元和星形胶质细胞中没有表达。坐骨神经周围给予rr TNF的大鼠前鞘内注射TNP-ATP可防止rr TNF诱导的机械痛敏并抑制脊髓背角TNF-α的上调。结论:小胶质细胞P2X4受体可能通过上调脊髓背角的TNF-α介导rr TNF诱导的机械痛敏。

Effects of P2X4 receptor in spinal microglia on rrTNF-induced pathological pain

AIM: To investigate the effects of P2X₄ receptor on peri-sciatic administration of recombinant rat TNF-α (rrTNF)-induced mechanical allodynia. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (180~200 g) were used in the experiments. The levels of P2X₄ receptor on day 3, day 7 and day 14 after peri-sciatic administration of rrTNF were examined by Western blot, and the location of P2X₄ receptor in the spinal dorsal horn was observed by double immunofluorescence staining. The changes of 50% paw-withdrawal thresholds of the rat were detected by behavioral test, and the level of TNF-α in the spinal dorsal horn was also examined by Western blot when TNP-ATP was intrathecally injected before the administration of rrTNF. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the expression of P2X₄ receptor in the spinal dorsal horn on the ipsilateral side significantly increased on day 3, day 7 and day 14 (P<0.01) after rrTNF (100 ng/L) administration. P2X₄ receptor was co-localized only with microglia, but not with neurons or astrocytes. Intrathecal injection of TNP-ATP before rrTNF administration prevented mechanical allodynia induced by rrTNF and inhibited the upregulation of TNF-α in the spinal dorsal horn. CONCLUSION: P2X₄ receptors in microglia may be involved in rrTNF-induced mechanical allodynia by the upregulation of TNF-α in the spinal dorsal horn.