Spinal glial adaptations occur in a minimally invasive mouse model of endometriosis: potential implications for lesion etiology and persistent pelvic pain

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dc.contributor.authorDodds, K.
dc.contributor.authorBeckett, E.
dc.contributor.authorEvans, S.
dc.contributor.authorHutchinson, M.
dc.date.issued2019
dc.description.abstractGlial adaptations within the central nervous system are well known to modulate central sensitization and pain. Recently, it has been suggested that activity of glial-related proinflammatory cytokines may potentiate peripheral inflammation, via central neurogenic processes. However, a role for altered glial function has not yet been investigated in the context of endometriosis, a chronic inflammatory condition in women associated with peripheral lesions, often manifesting with persistent pelvic pain. Using a minimally invasive mouse model of endometriosis, we investigated associations between peripheral endometriosis-like lesions and adaptations in central glial reactivity. Spinal cords (T13-S1) from female C57BL/6 mice with endometriosis-like lesions (ENDO) were imaged via fluorescent immunohistochemistry for the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP; astrocytes) and CD11b (microglia) in the dorsal horn (n = 5). Heightened variability ( P = .02) as well as an overall increase ( P = .04) in the mean area of GFAP immunoreactivity was found in ENDO versus saline-injected control animals. Interestingly, spinal levels showing the greatest alterations in GFAP immunoreactivity appeared to correlate with the spatial location of lesions within the abdominopelvic cavity. A subtle but significant increase in the mean area of CD11b immunostaining was also observed in ENDO mice compared to controls ( P = .02). This is the first study to describe adaptations in nonneuronal, immune-like cells of the central nervous system attributed to the presence of endometriosis-like lesions.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityKelsi N. Dodds, Elizabeth A. H. Beckett, Susan F. Evans, Mark R. Hutchinson
dc.identifier.citationReproductive Sciences, 2019; 26(3):1-13
dc.identifier.doi10.1177/1933719118773405
dc.identifier.issn1556-7117
dc.identifier.issn1933-7205
dc.identifier.orcidDodds, K. [0000-0003-0555-868X]
dc.identifier.orcidBeckett, E. [0000-0001-8256-0375]
dc.identifier.orcidEvans, S. [0000-0003-0347-604X]
dc.identifier.orcidHutchinson, M. [0000-0003-2154-5950]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/118313
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherElsevier
dc.relation.granthttp://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP110100297
dc.rights© The Author(s) 2018
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1177/1933719118773405
dc.subjectendometriosis
dc.subjectglia
dc.subjectneurogenic inflammation
dc.subjectneuroimmune
dc.subjectpain
dc.titleSpinal glial adaptations occur in a minimally invasive mouse model of endometriosis: potential implications for lesion etiology and persistent pelvic pain
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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