The NALP1 inflammasome controls cytokine production and nociception in a rat fracture model of complex regional pain syndrome

Pain. 2009 Dec 15;147(1-3):277-86. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2009.09.032. Epub 2009 Oct 22.

Abstract

Tibia fracture followed by limb immobilization in rats evokes nociceptive and vascular changes resembling complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS I). Previously we observed that substance P (SP) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) signaling contribute to chronic regional nociceptive sensitization in this model. It is known that inflammasome multi-protein complexes containing caspase-1 and NALP1 are involved in the activation of the IL-1beta family of pro-nociceptive cytokines expressed in skin and other tissues. Therefore, we hypothesized that SP activated inflammasomes might contribute to mechanical allodynia after fracture. Using this model we observed that: (1) inflammasome components and products NALP1, caspase-1, IL-1beta and IL-18 were present in low levels in normal skin, but expression of all these was strongly up-regulated after fracture, (2) NALP1, caspase-1 and IL-1beta were co-expressed in keratinocytes, and the number of NALP1, caspase-1, and IL-1beta positive cells dramatically increased at 4 weeks post-fracture, (3) LY303870, an NK1 receptor antagonist, effectively blocked fracture-induced up-regulation of activated inflammasome components and cytokines, (4) IL-1beta and IL-18 intraplantar injection induced mechanical allodynia in normal rats, and (5) both a selective caspase-1 inhibitor and an IL-1 receptor antagonist attenuated fracture-induced hindpaw mechanical allodynia. Collectively, these data suggest that NALP1 containing inflammasomes activated by NK1 receptors are expressed in keratinocytes and contribute to post-traumatic regional nociceptive sensitization. These findings highlight the possible importance of neuro-cutaneous signaling and innate immunity mechanisms in the development of CRPS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antirheumatic Agents / pharmacology
  • Caspase 1 / metabolism
  • Caspases, Initiator / pharmacology
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndromes / etiology
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndromes / metabolism*
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndromes / pathology
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods
  • Fractures, Bone / complications*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology*
  • Indoles / pharmacology
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / pharmacology
  • Keratinocytes / metabolism
  • Keratins / metabolism
  • Male
  • Nerve Growth Factor / metabolism
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / physiology*
  • Pain Measurement / methods
  • Pain Threshold / drug effects
  • Pain Threshold / physiology
  • Physical Stimulation
  • Piperidines / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Substance P / metabolism
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • 1-(N-(2-methoxybenzyl)acetylamino)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-2-(N-(2-(4-(piperidin-1-yl)piperidin-1-yl)acetyl)amino)propane
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Cytokines
  • Indoles
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nlrp1a protein, rat
  • Piperidines
  • Substance P
  • Keratins
  • Nerve Growth Factor
  • Caspases, Initiator
  • Caspase 1