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  • Title: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the nucleus pulposus mediates radicular pain, but not increase of inflammatory peptide, associated with nerve damage in mice.
    Author: Yamashita M, Ohtori S, Koshi T, Inoue G, Yamauchi K, Suzuki M, Takahashi K.
    Journal: Spine (Phila Pa 1976); 2008 Aug 01; 33(17):1836-42. PubMed ID: 18670336.
    Abstract:
    STUDY DESIGN: Changes in behavior and the immunohistochemistry of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons were examined using a mouse model of radicular pain. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of TNF-alpha in the nucleus pulposus (NP) on nerve roots. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Radicular pain is induced by mechanical compression and inflammation of nerve roots. Many authors have reported that following disc herniation, producing TNF-alpha plays a major role in neuropathic pain. Their findings suggest that TNF-alpha contained in the NP is significant in the development of pain and nerve root degeneration, but it has not been clearly demonstrated. METHODS: Wild-type NPs or TNF-KO NPs, which were harvested from C57BL/6 mice (wild-type NP) or TNF-knock-out mice (TNF-KO NP), were applied to the left sciatic nerves of 30 wild-type mice, and the nerves were pinched. Production of hind paw mechanical allodynia, activating transcription factor 3, and calcitonin gene- related peptide (CGRP) were assessed. RESULTS: Animals receiving a NP application demonstrated significant mechanical allodynia compared to the pinch-only and the control groups. The degree of mechanical allodynia was greater in the wild-type than in the TNF-KO group. The number of activating transcription factor 3 immunoreactive neurons was significantly higher in the wild-type than in the TNF-KO group. The number of CGRP-immunoreactive neurons was higher in the wild-type and TNF-KO than in the control groups. However, no significant difference in activity was observed between both CGRP positive groups. CONCLUSION: In this study TNF-alpha contained in the NP was important for the production of radicular pain accompanied by long-lasting degeneration of DRG neurons. However, other cytokines in the NP and nerve compression may also play important roles in pain transmission. In this model system, TNF-alpha in the NP appears to mediate pain, but not cause an increase in CGRP in the DRG neurons.
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