Expression profiling of spinal cord dorsal horn in a rat model of complex regional pain syndrome type-I uncovers potential mechanisms mediating pain and neuroinflammation responses

Background Complex regional pain syndrome type-I (CRPS-I) is a progressive and devastating pain condition. The mechanisms of CRPS-I still remain poorly understood. We aim to explore expression profiles of genes relevant to pain and neuroinflammation mechanisms involved in CRPS-I. Methods The rat chronic post-ischemic pain (CPIP) model that mimics human CRPS-I was established. RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq), qPCR, Western blot, immunostaining, and pharmacological studies were used for profiling gene changes in ipsilateral spinal cord dorsal horn (SCDH) of CPIP model rat and further validation. Results CPIP rats developed persistent mechanical allodynia in bilateral hind paws, accompanied with obvious glial activation in SCDH. RNA-Seq identified a total of 435 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in ipsilateral SCDH of CPIP rats. qPCR confirmed the expression of several representative genes. Functional analysis of DEGs identified that the most significantly enriched biological processes of upregulated genes include inflammatory and innate immune response. We further identified NLRP3 inflammasome expression to be significantly upregulated in SCDH of CPIP rats. Pharmacological blocking NLRP3 inflammasome reduced IL-1 beta overproduction, glial activation in SCDH as well as mechanical allodynia of CPIP rats. Conclusion Our study revealed that immune and inflammatory responses are predominant biological events in SCDH of CPIP rats. We further identified NLRP3 inflammasome in SCDH as a key contributor to the pain and inflammation responses in CPIP rats. Thus, our study provided putative novel targets that may help to develop effective therapeutics against CRPS-I.