The role of chemokine CX3CL1 in the anterior cingulate cortex in a rat model of chronic pathological pain

Purpose: To investigate the role of chemokine in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in a rat model of chronic neuropathic pain. Methods: 80 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into 4 groups (n = 20): the sham group, the control group, the PBS treatment group and the anti-CX3CL1 treatment group. In the sham group, the unilateral infraorbital nerve was only exposed, but not ligated; in the control group, the unilateral infraorbital nerve was exposed and ligated. In the sham and the control group, the behavioral test was undertaken and the protein expression of CX3CL1 and CD11b was compared. Results: Compared with the sham group, there was a significant reduction in the feeling threshold in the ipsilateral ION territory from 3 d to 14 d after CCI-ION in the control group (P<0.05). Rats given antibody in the anti-CX3CL1 treatment group showed an evident increase of the feeling threshold compared with the PBS group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The ACC may take part in the chronic neuropathic pain via associating with the activated microglial cells and increased expression of CX3CL1.