Peripheral Nerve Injury Model
Objective: To assess mechanical hyperalgesia and spinal cord responses following peripheral nerve injury, specifically examining P2X4 receptor expression in spinal microglia and BDNF release mechanisms in neuropathic pain models
Protocol Steps
Peripheral Nerve Injury Induction
Surgical induction of peripheral nerve injury to create neuropathic pain model
Note: The specific surgical technique and nerve targeted are not detailed in the provided text excerpt
View evidence from paper
“in response to peripheral nerve injury, P2X4 receptors (P2X4 R) are expressed de novo by activated microglia in the spinal cord”
Assessment of Mechanical Hyperalgesia
Evaluation of mechanical pain sensitivity following peripheral nerve injury
Note: P2X4-deficient mice lacked mechanical hyperalgesia induced by peripheral nerve injury
View evidence from paper
“P2X4-deficient mice lack mechanical hyperalgesia induced by peripheral nerve injury and display impaired BDNF signaling in the spinal cord”
Spinal Cord Analysis
Examination of spinal cord responses including P2X4 receptor expression and BDNF signaling
Note: Analysis focused on dorsal horn neurons and microglial responses
View evidence from paper
“phosphorylation of the NR1 subunit of NMDA receptors in dorsal horn neurons of the spinal cord”
Primary Microglial Culture Studies
In vitro assessment of ATP stimulation and BDNF release from microglia
Note: ATP stimulation was unable to stimulate BDNF release from P2X4-deficient mice microglia
View evidence from paper
“ATP stimulation is unable to stimulate BDNF release from P2X4-deficient mice microglia in primary cultures”