PDCD4 inhibition alleviates neuropathic pain by regulating spinal autophagy and neuroinflammation

Neuropathic pain is still a clinical challenge. Inflammatory responses and autophagy in the spinal cord are important mechanisms for the occurrence and maintain of neuropathic pain. PDCD4 is an important molecule that regulates inflammation and autophagy. However, the regulatory role of PDCD4 is unknown in pain modulation. In this study we found that the expression of PDCD4 in the spinal cord of CCI mice was increased. Inhibition of PDCD4 by intrathecal injection of adeno-associated virus alleviated neuropathic pain hypersensitivity and enhanced autophagy in CCI mice, and inhibited the activation of MAPKs, as well as the expression of inflammatory factors. Intrathecal injection of autophagy inhibitor 3-MA reversed PDCD4 inhibition induced pain relief and change of autophagy. Our results indicate that spinal cord inhibition of PDCD4 alleviates pain sensitization in neuropathic pain mice through MAPKs and autophagy, and PDCD4 may be developed into a therapeutic target of neuropathic pain treatment.