The contribution of TNF-α in the amygdala to anxiety in mice with persistent inflammatory pain.

Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is known for its role in inflammation and pain, which are strongly associated with mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. The amygdala is a forebrain structure that modulates anxiety. However, little is known about the role of TNF-α in the development of anxiety in animals with chronic pain. In the present study, we examined TNF-α expression in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) following injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into the hind paw of mice to induce inflammation. We also determined the effects of TNF-α expression on the development of anxiety in these mice. TNF-α expression was increased in the BLA during the chronic phase of CFA-induced peripheral inflammation. The local infusion of TNF-α-neutralizing antibody infliximab in the BLA reversed anxiety-like behaviors in mice with persistent inflammatory pain. In vitro slice recordings revealed that TNF-α significantly enhanced AMPA-receptor-mediated glutamatergic excitatory synaptic transmission and inhibited GABAA-receptor-mediated inhibitory synaptic transmission in the BLA. Our findings, therefore, provide strong evidence that TNF-α contributes to the development of anxiety in mice with persistent inflammatory pain.

• Authors: Jun Chen, Yang Song, Jing Yang, Yong Zhang, Peng Zhao, Xue-Jun Zhu, Hai-Chuan Su
• Journal: Neuroscience letters (Neurosci Lett) Vol. 541 Pg. 275-80 (Apr 29 2013) ISSN: 1872-7972 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 23415758 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Antibodies, Neutralizing
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Freund's Adjuvant
• Infliximab

Topics

• Amygdala (metabolism)
• Animals
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (pharmacology)
• Antibodies, Neutralizing (pharmacology)
• Anxiety (metabolism, physiopathology, psychology)
• Chronic Pain (chemically induced, immunology, psychology)
• Exploratory Behavior
• Freund's Adjuvant
• In Vitro Techniques
• Inflammation (chemically induced, immunology, physiopathology)
• Infliximab
• Male
• Maze Learning
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Synaptic Transmission
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (immunology, metabolism)