Spared nerve injury induces long-term and brain region-specific changes in oligodendrocyte density in mice

Authors
Léa J. Becker, Rory O’Shea, Gustavo Borges, Jordan G. McCall


Lab

Journal
bioRxiv

Abstract

Background: Emerging evidence suggests a role for non-neuronal cells in the pathophysiology of chronic pain. Chronic pain causes profound alterations of the transcriptomic program of oligodendroglia, but the effect of pain on the oligodendroglial cells themselves remains unknown. Methods: Male and female C57BL6/J mice underwent spared nerve injury (SNI). Mechanical hypersensitivity was assessed five weeks later using the von Frey test. Six weeks post-surgery, mice were perfused, brains dissected, and immunostained for oligodendrocyte precursors cells (OPC) and mature oligodendrocytes (OL) in four brain regions involved in pain chronification: anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), central amygdala (CeA), basolateral amygdala (BLA), and periaqueductal gray (PAG). Results: We found OL were reduced in the ACC and CeA of both sexes six weeks after SNI. Conversely, BLA OL were increased in both sexes following SNI. There was a sex-dependent effect of SNI on PAG-OL, where OL were only reduced in females. SNI did not affect OPC in any of the studied brain regions, but female PAG and BLA appeared to have fewer OPC than males independent of SNI. Conclusion: Long-term nerve injury differentially affects OL in a brain region- and sex-dependent manner. This effect is observable six weeks after injury, suggesting a long-lasting impact of chronic pain on oligodendroglial cells. OPC, on the other hand, are remarkably stable. This finding aligns with previous literature showing OPC maintain homeostasis, even in pathological conditions.

Keywords/Topics
nerve injury

BIOSEB Instruments Used:
Von Frey Filaments (BIO-VF-M)

Source :

https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.10.01.679851.abstract

Related products

Von Frey Filaments

Publication request

Thank you for your interest in our product range and your request for this publication, which will be sent to you if the research team and the journal allow it. Our commercial team will contact you as soon as possible.