Increased expression of the Cbl family of E3 ubiquitin ligases decreases Interleukin-2 production in a rat model of peripheral neuropathy

Background: Interleukin 2 (IL- 2) influences the development and severity of pain due to its antinociceptive and immunomodulatory effects. Its production is influenced by the increased expression of c- Cbl (Casitas B-lineage lymphoma proto-oncogene) and Cbl-b E3 ubiquitin ligases. We evaluated the effects on IL-2-mediated changes in c-Cbl and Cbl-b expression in a rat model of chronic neuropathic pain. Methods: Peripheral neuropathy was induced in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250-300 g by chronic spinal nerve ligation. Half of the spinal cord ipsilateral to the nerve injury was harvested at 1, 3, and 6 weeks, and the expression levels of IL-, c-Cbl, Cbl-b, phospholipase C-gamma 1 (PLC-gamma 1), ZAP70, and protein kinase C theta (PKC theta), as well as ubiquitin conjugation, were evaluated. Results: Total IL-2 mRNA levels were significantly decreased at 3 and 6 weeks after nerve injury compared to those in sham-operated rats. The mRNA levels of c-Cbl and Cbl-b, as well as the level of ubiquitin conjugation, were significantly increased at 3 and 6 weeks. In contrast, the levels of phosphorylated ZAP70 and PLC-gamma 1 were decreased at 3 and 6 weeks after spinal nerve ligation. Ubiquitination of PLC-gamma 1 and PKC theta was increased at 3 and 6 weeks. Conclusions: Our results suggest that ubiquitin and the E3 ubiquitin ligases c-Cbl and Cbl-b function as neuroimmune modulators in the subacute phase of neuropathic pain after nerve injury.