Differential expression of glycine receptor subunit messenger RNA in the rat following spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in alterations in the regulation of many genes that may influence neuronal death and the subsequent loss of motor function and neuropathic pain. The subtype expression mRNA levels of glycine receptors (GlyRs) after SCI are unknown.

METHODS

Using real-time reverse transcription PCR, this study analyzed changes in the mRNA abundance of the four major GlyR subunits (α13 and β) at 6, 24 h and 3, 7 and 10 days after SCI in adult male rats. SCI was induced at the T9 level by transection.

RESULTS

Our results show a complicated temporal and spatial pattern of alteration in GlyR mRNA expression levels after SCI. Temporal and spatial variations with different degrees and direction (up or downregulation) of expression alteration were observed. The greatest variation was seen in GlyRα1, whereas GlyRα2 was downregulated in all regions following SCI.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that alteration in GlyR expression starts as early as 6 h after SCI. The most significant points of this research are temporal elevation of GlyRα1 and continuous reduction of GlyRα2. Alterations in GlyR expression within the spinal cord may have a key role in the development of pathological pain. Therefore, control of GlyR expression could represent a novel therapeutic avenue for the development of new painkiller agents in SCI.