Dose-dependent expression of neuronal injury markers during experimental osteoarthritis induced by monoiodoacetate in the rat

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2012

Authors

Ferreira-Gomes J. (Author) FMUP; Adaes, S (Author) Other; Sousa, RM (Author) Other; Mendonca, M (Author) Other; Castro-Lopes J.M. (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Molecular Pain

Vol. 8

Final page: 50

ISSN: 1744-8069

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 45 Citations

Scopus - 46 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-80Z

DOI: 10.1186/1744-8069-850

Abstract (EN): Background: It was recently reported that the mono-iodoacetate (MIA) experimental model of osteoarthritis (OA) courses with changes of neurons innervating the affected joints that are commonly interpreted as a neuronal response to axonal injury. To better characterize these changes, we evaluated the expression of two markers of neuronal damage, ATF-3 and NPY, and the growth associated protein GAP-43, in primary afferent neurons of OA animals injected with three different doses of MIA (0.3, 1 or 2 mg). Measurements were performed at days 3, 7, 14, 21 and 31 post-MIA injection. Results: OA animals showed the characteristic histopathological changes of the joints and the accompanying nociceptive behaviour, evaluated by the Knee-Bed and CatWalk tests. An increase of ATF-3 expression was detected in the DRG of OA animals as early as 3 days after the injection of 1 or 2 mg of MIA and 7 days after the injection of 0.3 mg. NPY expression was increased in animals injected with 1 or 2 mg of MIA, at day 3 or in all time-points, respectively. From day 7 onwards there was a massive increase of GAP-43 expression in ATF-3 cells. Conclusions: The expression of the neuronal injury markers ATF-3 and NPY as well as an up-regulation of GAP-43 expression, indicative of peripheral fibre regeneration, suggests that axonal injury and a regeneration response may be happening in this model of OA. This opens new perspectives in the unravelling of the physiopathology of the human disease.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 12