CC-chemokine MIP-1α in the spinal cord contributes to nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain

We investigated the involvement of spinal macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha), an inflammatory chemokine. in partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSL)-induced neuropathic pain in mice. PSL increased MIP-1 alpha mRNA levels as well as levels of the MIP-1 alpha receptor, CCR1, but not CCR5 in the spinal dorsal horn. PSL-induced tactile allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were prevented by intrathecal (it) injection of a neutralizing antibody of MIP-1 alpha (2 ng). Recombinant MIP-1 alpha (10 pmol, it.) elicited long-lasting tactile allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in naive mice These results suggest that peripheral nerve injury elicits the up-regulation of spinal MIP-1 alpha and CCR1 to participate in neuropathic pain (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd All rights reserved