Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2019, Vol. 14 ›› Issue (6): 939-947.doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.250566

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Gene expression changes in dorsal root ganglia following peripheral nerve injury: roles in inflammation, cell death and nociception

Sarah L. Martin 1 , Adam J. Reid 1, 2 , Alexei Verkhratsky 3 , Valerio Magnaghi 4 , Alessandro Faroni 1   

  1. 1 Blond McIndoe Laboratories, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
    2 University Hospital of South Manchester, Department of Plastic and Burns, Manchester, Manchester, UK
    3 Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
    4 Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
  • Online:2019-06-15 Published:2019-06-15
  • Contact: Alessandro Faroni, PhD, alessandro.faroni@manchester.ac.uk.
  • Supported by:

    The study was supported by the Hargreaves and Ball Trust, the National Institute for Health Research (II-LA-0313-20003) (to AJR), the Rosetrees Trust, the Academy of Medical Sciences, and the Manchester Regenerative Medicine Network (MaRMN) (to AF and AJR), Progetto Eccellenza from the Italian Ministry of Research (to VM).

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Abstract:

Subsequent to a peripheral nerve injury, there are changes in gene expression within the dorsal root ganglia in response to the damage. This review selects factors which are well-known to be vital for inflammation, cell death and nociception, and highlights how alterations in their gene expression within the dorsal root ganglia can affect functional recovery. The majority of studies used polymerase chain reaction within animal models to analyse the dynamic changes following peripheral nerve injuries. This review aims to highlight the factors at the gene expression level that impede functional recovery and are hence are potential targets for therapeutic approaches. Where possible the experimental model, specific time-points and cellular location of expression levels are reported.

Key words: Gene expression, polymerase chain reaction, dorsal root ganglia, inflammation, nociception, cell death, peripheral nerve injury, Schwann cells, satellite glial cells, nerve regeneration