Transplantation of microencapsulated neural stem cells inhibits neuropathic pain mediated by P2X7 receptor overexpression.

BACKGROUND

Neuropathic pain (NPP) is a common clinical symptom, its pathological mechanism is complex, and there is currently no good treatment method. Therefore, exploring the treatment method of NPP is a critical issue that needs to be urgently solved.

METHODS

Neural stem cells (NSC) and microencapsulated neural stem cells (MC-NSC) were transplanted into the site of sciatic nerve injury, and behavioral methods were used to detect changes in pain. Expression levels of P2X7R were detected in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) by molecular biological methods.

RESULTS

After sciatic nerve injury, mechanical withdrawal thresholds (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) of rats were significantly reduced, the expression levels of P2X7R in the DRG were significantly increased. After transplantation of NSC and MC-NSC, it was found that expression levels of P2X7R were significantly reduced and pain was significantly suppressed. Importantly, compared with NSC transplantation, MC-NSC could better reduce the expression levels of P2X7R and inhibit pain.

CONCLUSION

MC-NSC can better decrease the expression levels of P2X7R and relieve NPP. Our results provide a novel method and data support for the treatment of NPP.