Skin incision induces expression of axonal regeneration-related genes in adult rat spinal sensory neurons

J Pain, 2010 · DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2010.02.001 · Published: November 1, 2010

Neurology Pain Management Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells

Simple Explanation

The study investigates the effect of skin incision on nerve regeneration-related gene expression. Skin incisions can lead to pain, believed to be from inflammation and sensitization of neurons. The researchers found that skin incision increased the expression of genes like ATF3 in DRG neurons.

Study Duration

3-4 Days

Participants

Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Skin incision led to a significant increase in ATF3 expression in DRG neurons.
2
Other regeneration-associated genes (galanin, GAP-43, Gadd45a) were also increased after skin incision.
3
The size distribution of neurons expressing ATF3 was similar between skin incision and nerve transection groups.

Research Summary

This study demonstrates that skin incision, even without direct nerve injury, induces the expression of axonal regeneration-related genes in adult rat spinal sensory neurons. The researchers observed an increase in ATF3 expression and altered expression of other regeneration-associated gene transcripts (GAP-43, galanin, Gadd45a) in sensory neurons, similar to models of peripheral nerve injury. These findings suggest that tissue injury itself can induce a response in DRG neurons akin to the injury and regeneration response found after peripheral nerve injury, impacting how post-surgical pain is investigated and treated.

Practical Implications

Experimental Design

Experiments and surgical approaches must account for changes in sensory neurons induced by skin incisions.

Clinical Pain Treatment

Anatomical plasticity of sensory neurons may be a contributing factor in post-incisional and post-surgical pain.

Further Research

Future studies should examine nerve injury-related characteristics, such as immune cell activation in DRG and transganglionic changes in spinal cord, following skin injury.

Study Limitations

1
The study cannot distinguish between direct axon sectioning and secondary sequelae (inflammation, immune cell action) as causes.
2
The study did not examine the functional consequences of the observed transcriptional changes.
3
The study focused on acute post-incision times and may not reflect changes related to anatomical plasticity.

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