Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is promoted by enhanced spinal insulin-like growth factor-1 levels via astrocyte-dependent mechanisms.

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and intractable complication in chemotherapy-receiving patients. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is a popular neurotrophin with various functions, such as maintaining neuronal survival and synaptic functioning in the central nervous system. Therefore, we hypothesized that the IGF-1 signaling pathway could be a candidate target for treating CIPN.

METHODS

We established the CIPN model by injecting mice intraperitoneally with oxaliplatin and assessed IGF-1 protein expression, its receptor IGF1R, phospho-IGF1R (p-IGF1R), interleukin-17A (IL-17A), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the lumbar spinal cord with Western blot and immunofluorescence. To examine the effect of IGF-1 signaling on CIPN, we injected mice intrathecally or intraperitoneally with mouse recombinant IGF-1 (rIGF-1).

RESULTS

IGF-1 protein expression decreased significantly in the spinal cord on D3 and D10 (the 3rd and 10th days after beginning oxaliplatin chemotherapy) and was co-localized with astrocytes primarily in the lumbar spinal cord, whereas IGF1R was predominantly expressed on neurons. Both intrathecally- and intraperitoneally-administered rIGF-1 relieved the chemotherapy-induced pain-like behavior and reduced IL-17A, TNF-α, and CGRP protein expressions in the spinal cord.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate a vital role for IGF-1 signaling in CIPN. Targeting IGF-1 signaling could be a potent therapeutic strategy for treating CIPN in clinical settings.