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The Monoiodoacetate Model of Osteoarthritis Pain in the Mouse
Published on: May 16, 2016
Evolution of mirror-image pain in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis mouse model
Nattapon Rotpenpian1,2, Sompol Tapechum1, Anchalee Vattarakorn1
1Mahidol University, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Department of Physiology, Bangkok, Thailand.
Objective:
Mirror-image pain is a kind of pain that occurs on the contralateral side, but its pathogenesis remains unclear. To develop an osteoarthritis mouse model for investigating mirror-image pain through observing nocifensive behaviors, histological changes, and nociceptive activity at days 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 after the chemical induction of unilateral temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis.
Methodology:
We randomly divided 6-week-old mice into sham and complete Freund adjuvant groups. To induce nocifensive behaviors, we applied 0.04 g of von Frey filament, 10 psi of air puff, and cold acetone on both sides of whisker pads at different days. The histology of TMJ on both sides was observed by hematoxylin/eosin staining and microcomputed tomography scanning. Furthermore, the nociceptive activity was evaluated using the phosphorylated cyclic AMP response element binding protein (pCREB) and a microglia marker at different days in the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis.
Results:
Nocifensive behaviors against mechanical and temperature stimuli on the contralateral side became stronger than the baseline on day 28, in agreement with the elevation of the pCREB and the microglia marker in the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis. Thus, hypernociception on the contralateral side occurred at day 28.
Conclusions:
Clearly, the TMJ model with unilateral osteoarthritis exhibited mirror-image pain. Therefore, this model is useful in investigating the pathogenesis of pain and in developing treatments.
Insights
Mirror-image pain, occurring on the opposite side of injury, was successfully modeled in mice with unilateral temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis. This model aids in studying pain mechanisms and developing new treatments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pain Research
- Animal Models
Background:
- Mirror-image pain, a contralateral sensation, lacks clear understanding of its pathogenesis.
- Investigating mirror-image pain requires a reliable animal model.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a mouse model of unilateral temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis.
- To investigate mirror-image pain using nocifensive behaviors, histological changes, and nociceptive activity.
Main Methods:
- Unilateral TMJ osteoarthritis was chemically induced in mice.
- Nocifensive behaviors were assessed using mechanical and thermal stimuli.
- Histological analysis and measurement of phosphorylated cyclic AMP response element binding protein (pCREB) and microglia markers were performed.
Main Results:
- Contralateral nocifensive behaviors intensified by day 28 post-induction.
- Elevated pCREB and microglia markers in the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis correlated with behavioral changes.
- Hypernociception on the contralateral side was confirmed at day 28.
Conclusions:
- The developed TMJ osteoarthritis model effectively exhibits mirror-image pain.
- This model is valuable for exploring the pathogenesis of mirror-image pain.
- The model provides a platform for testing novel pain therapies.

