Role of gliocyte in spinal cord in development of bone cancer pain in mice

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the role of gliocyte in the spinal cord in the development of bone cancer pain (BCP) in mice. Methods Forty male C3H/He mice aged 8-10 weeks weighing 18-22 g were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n = 10 each) : group I sham operation (group S) , group II BCP, group Ⅲ PBS and group IV minocyline (group M) . In group BCP, PBS and M, bone cancer pain was produced by injection of NCTC2472 fibrosarcoma cell suspension (2 x 105 cells) 10 μl into medullary cavity of calcaneus bone, while in group S, PBS solution 10 μl was injected instead of cancer cell suspension. In group PBS and M, PBS 5 μl and minocyline 5 μl (dissolved to 0.2 mmol/L in PBS)_were given IT immediately before cancer cell inoculation once a day for 11 consecutive days respectively. Mechanical pain threshold was measured at 1 d before cancer cell inoculation, and at 0, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11d after cancer cell inoculation. Cold pain threshold was measured at 3, 7, 9 and 11d after cancer cell inoculation. The animals were killed after measurement of pain threshold and L4-6, segment of spinal cord was removed for determination of GFAP and CD11b expression by Western blot. Results Compared with group S, mechanical pain threshold was significantly increased at 3-11 d after cancer cell inoculation in group BCP and PBS, and at 3 and S d after cancer cell inoculation in group M, and cold pain threshold was significantly increased at 7-11 d after cancer cell inoculation, and expression of CD11b and GFAP was up-regulated in group BCP, PBS and M ( P < 0.05) . Compared with group BCP, mechanical pain threshold was significantly decreased at 3-11 d after cancer cell inoculation, cold pain threshold was significantly decreased at 7-11 d after cancer cell inoculation, and expression of CD11b and GFAP was down-regulated in group M ( P <0.05) . ConclusionThe activiton of gliocyte in the spinal cord is involved in the development of bone cancer pian in mice. Key words: Bone neoplasms; Pain; Astrocytes; Microglia; Spinal cord