Toll-like receptor 4uclear factor-kappa B pathway is involved in radicular pain by encouraging spinal microglia activation and inflammatory response in a rat model of lumbar disc herniation
- Author:
Lirong ZHU
1
;
Yangliang HUANG
;
Yuming HU
;
Qian TANG
;
Yi ZHONG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Experimental Research Article
- From:The Korean Journal of Pain 2021;34(1):47-57
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a common cause of radicular pain, but the mechanism is not clear. In this study, we investigated the engagement of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in radicular pain and its possible mechanisms.
Methods:An LDH model was induced by autologous nucleus pulposus (NP) implantation, which was obtained from coccygeal vertebra, then relocated in the lumbar 4/5 spinal nerve roots of rats. Mechanical and thermal pain behaviors were assessed by using von Frey filaments and hotplate test respectively. The protein level of TLR4 and phosphorylated-p65 (p-p65) was evaluated by western blotting analysis and immunofluorescence staining. Spinal microglia activation was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining of specific relevant markers. The expression of proand anti-inflammatory cytokines in the spinal dorsal horn was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.
Results:Spinal expression of TLR4 and p-NF-κB (p-p65) was significantly increased after NP implantation, lasting up to 14 days. TLR4 was mainly expressed in spinal microglia, but not astrocytes or neurons. TLR4 antagonist TAK242 decreased spinal expression of p-p65. TAK242 or NF-κB inhibitor pyrrolidinedithiocarbamic acid alleviated mechanical and thermal pain behaviors, inhibited spinal microglia activation, moderated spinal inflammatory response manifested by decreasing interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α expression and increasing IL-10 expression in the spinal dorsal horn.
Conclusions:The study revealed that TLR4/NF-κB pathway participated in radicular pain by encouraging spinal microglia activation and inflammatory response.
