Bone marrow stromal cells injected into lumbar dorsal root ganglia induce changes in thermal and mechanical sensitivities after sciatic nerve constriction

P.L. MUSOLINO; M.F. CORONEL; M.J. VILLAR

Pinamar, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Congreso; Reunión anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Neuroquímica; 2005

Sociedad Argentina de Neuroquímica

Single ligature nerve constriction (SLNC) and Bennett neuropathic pain models have been used for the study of pain triggered by peripheral nerve injury. Bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) have been involved in migration and functional recovery after traumatic injured rat brain and spinal cord. In this study, we have analyzed changes in thermal and mechanical pain behavior in animals following SLNC of the sciatic nerve (SN), and also after SLNC and MSC injection into the L4 DRG. MSCs were isolated by their adherence to plastic, cultured until they reached confluence, labeled with Hoechst 33258 and harvested using trypsin-EDTA. Four groups of SLNC animals were prepared. The first group was injected with 300.000 MSCs into the L4 DRG. The second group was injected with non adherent mononuclear cell fraction (MCF). The third group was only constricted and the fourth was the saline sham. Animals were tested for mechanical and thermal withdrawal thresholds before surgery and after 1, 3, 7 days using von Frey and Choi tests. The results showed a significant decrease in allodynia generation after SLNC by MSC injection. Animals treated with MCF cells or saline showed no changes in pain response. These results suggest a protective function of MSCs on pain generation.