Cellular prion protein protects from inflammatory and neuropathic pain
2011
Cellular prion protein protects from inflammatory and neuropathic pain
Sample size: 6
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Gadotti Vinicius M, Zamponi Gerald W
Primary Institution: University of Calgary
Hypothesis
The absence of PrPC may give rise to pain hypersensitivity.
Conclusion
PrPC plays a critical role in modulating nociceptive transmission at the spinal cord level.
Supporting Evidence
- PrPC null mice showed decreased mechanical and thermal withdrawal thresholds compared to wild-type mice.
- Treatment with MK-801 reversed the decreased mechanical withdrawal threshold in PrPC null mice.
- PrPC null mice exhibited significantly longer licking/biting time during formalin-induced inflammation.
Takeaway
Mice without a specific protein called PrPC feel more pain than normal mice, especially when they are hurt or have nerve damage.
Methodology
The study compared nociceptive thresholds between wild type and PrPC null mice using various pain models and NMDA receptor antagonists.
Participant Demographics
10 week old male mice (C57BL/6J wild type and PrP null)
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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