Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, neurological disease characterized by targeted destruction on central nervous system (CNS) myelin. The autoimmune theory is the most widely accepted explanation of disease pathology. Circulating Th-1 cells become activated by exposure to CNS-specific antigens such as myelin basic protein. The activated Th-1 cells secrete inflammatory cytokines, which are pivotal for inflammatory responses. We hypothesize that enhanced production of inflammatory cytokines triggers cellular events within the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and/or spinal cord, facilitating the development of neuropathic pain (NPP) in MS. NPP, the second worst disease-induced symptom suffered by patients with MS, is normally regulated by DRG and/or spinal cord.
Objective: To determine gene and protein expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF ) within DRG and/or spinal cord in an animal model of MS.
Methods: Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was induced in adolescent female Lewis rats. Animals were sacrificed every 3 days post-disease induction. DRG and spinal cords were harvested for protein and gene expression analysis.
Results: We show significant increases in TNF expression in the DRG and of EAE animals at peak disease stage, as assessed by clinical symptoms.
Conclusion: Antigen-induced production of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF within the DRG identifies a potential noel mechanism for MS-induced NPP.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:MWU.1993/4516 |
| Date | 11 April 2011 |
| Creators | Melanson, Maria |
| Contributors | Namaka, Mike (Pharmacy), Kreillaars, Dean (Medical Rehabilitation) Shay, Barbara (Medical Rehabilitation) |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
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