EXPRESS: Oligodendrocytes in HIV-associated pain pathogenesis
Yuqiang Shi1, Jianghong Shu1, Zongsuo Liang2
1University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.
Molecular Pain
|June 17, 2016
Summary
Oligodendrocytes, involved in myelin production, become active during HIV-associated chronic pain. However, manipulating myelination did not affect the initial development of pain in a mouse model.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Microglia and astrocytes are known contributors to chronic pain.
- The role of oligodendrocytes in chronic pain pathogenesis is largely unknown.
- Oligodendrocytes are glial cells in the central nervous system responsible for myelin production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of oligodendrocytes in HIV-associated chronic pain.
- To examine oligodendrocyte and myelin marker expression in HIV patients and a mouse model.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of spinal dorsal horn tissue from HIV patients with and without chronic pain.
- Assessment of oligodendrocyte and myelin markers (NG2, PDGFRa, Olig2, myelin basic protein, proteolipid protein).
- Utilizing a mouse model of HIV-1 gp120-induced pain with myelin basic protein knockdown/knockout.
Main Results:
- Oligodendrocyte lineage and myelin protein markers were significantly increased in the spinal dorsal horn of HIV patients with chronic pain.
- These markers were also upregulated in a mouse model of HIV-1 gp120-induced pain.
- Mechanical allodynia in the mouse model was not altered by myelin basic protein knockdown or knockout up to 4 hours.
Conclusions:
- Oligodendrocytes show reactivity during the development of HIV-associated pain.
- Interfering with myelination does not impact the induction of gp120-induced pain.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise role of oligodendrocytes in chronic pain mechanisms.
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