Seeing beyond the blot: A critical look at assumptions and raw data interpretation in Western blotting

Rapid advancements in technology refine our understanding of intricate biological processes, but a crucial emphasis remains on understanding the assumptions and sources of uncertainty underlying biological measurements. This is particularly critical in cell signaling research, where a quantitative understanding of the fundamental mechanisms governing these transient events is essential for drug development, given their importance in both homeostatic and pathogenic processes. Western blotting, a technique developed decades ago, remains an indispensable tool for investigating cell signaling, protein expression, and protein-protein interactions. While improvements in statistical analysis and methodology reporting have undoubtedly enhanced data quality, understanding the underlying assumptions and limitations of visual inspection in Western blotting can provide valuable additional information for evaluating experimental conclusions. Using the example of agonist-induced receptor post-translational modification, we highlight the theoretical and experimental assumptions associated with Western blotting and demonstrate how raw blot data can offer clues to experimental variability that may not be fully captured by statistical analyses and reported methodologies. This article is not intended as a comprehensive technical review of Western blotting. Instead, we leverage an illustrative example to demonstrate how assumptions about experimental design and data normalization can be revealed within raw data and subsequently influence data interpretation.

Evaluation of the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity potential of synthetic diacetyl food flavoring in silico, in vivo, and in vitro

Diacetyl is a common ingredient that creates a buttery flavor in baked goods and other food products. The cytotoxic impact of diacetyl on a normal human liver cell line (THLE2) indicated an IC₅₀ value of 41.29 mg/ml through MTT assay and a cell cycle arrest in the G₀/G₁ phase relative to the control. Administration of diacetyl at two-time points (acute-chronic) led to a significant increase in DNA damage indicated by the increase in tail length, tail DNA%, and tail moment. The mRNA and protein expression levels of genes in the rats' livers were then measured using real-time PCR and western blotting. The results showed an activation of the apoptotic and necrosis mechanism, with an upregulation of p53, Caspase 3, and RIP1 and a downregulation of Bcl-2 at the mRNA level. The ingestion of diacetyl disrupted the liver's oxidant/antioxidant balance, as evidenced by alterations in levels of GSH, SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, MDA, NO, and peroxynitrite. Additionally, heightened levels of inflammatory cytokines were shown. Histopathological examinations revealed necrotic foci and congested portal areas in the rats' liver cells after treatment with diacetyl. Diacetyl may interact moderately with Caspase, RIP1, and p53 core domain through In-silico, possibly resulting in upregulated gene expression.

Validation of Isoform- and Mutation-Specific RAS Antibodies

Validation of antibody specificity is essential for the accurate evaluation of protein expression. For antibodies that recognize the gene products of the RAS family of oncogenes (HRAS, KRAS, and NRAS), an important challenge is the determination of selectivity for the four nearly identical HRAS, KRAS4A, KRAS4B, and NRAS proteins. With increasing appreciation for the distinct roles of the different RAS proteins in normal and neoplastic cells, there is a need for well-validated antibodies to evaluate the function and expression of the different RAS isoforms. Here we describe our experimental approaches to characterize RAS antibodies for their isoform- and mutant-specificity for use in immunoblot analyses.

Biological validation of a novel process and product for quantitating western blots

Protein normalization of western blots has relied upon housekeeping proteins which exhibit signal saturation and varied cellular expression level variations. These issues can produce spurious results leading to erroneous conclusions. A superior method to protein normalization using housekeeping proteins is Total Protein Normalization, a method now recognized as the gold standard for quantitative westerns. Total Protein Normalization requires that all proteins on a membrane be stained or labeled uniformly, imaged, and then analyzed for total protein. It is important that such a normalization process not interfere with typical immunodetection methods, fits within existing western workflows, and exhibits a linear relationship of signal intensity to protein load under all experimental conditions. Here we report that we developed a new reagent enabling Total Protein Normalization, and we demonstrate its superior protein normalization capabilities through analysis of target proteins in different cell backgrounds. These data illustrate how housekeeping proteins exhibit signal saturation, yield erroneous normalization data, and display sample-to-sample variations averaging 48.2 % overall. Signal intensities obtained using our new method show a linear relationship to protein sample load, thus providing accurate protein normalization with an overall average variation of 7.7 %.

Mechanisms underlying the enhancement of γ-aminobutyric acid responses in the external globus pallidus of R6/2 Huntington's disease model mice

In Huntington's disease (HD), the output of striatal indirect pathway medium-sized spiny neurons (MSNs) is altered in its target region, the external globus pallidus (GPe). In a previous study we demonstrated that selective optogenetic stimulation of indirect pathway MSNs induced prolonged decay time of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) responses in GPe neurons. Here we identified the mechanism underlying this alteration. Electrophysiological recordings in slices from symptomatic R6/2 and wildtype (WT) mice were used to evaluate, primarily, the effects of GABA transporter (GAT) antagonists on responses evoked by optogenetic activation of indirect pathway MSNs. In addition, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blots (WBs) were used to examine GAT-3 expression in HD and WT mice. A GAT-3 blocker (SNAP5114) increased decay time of GABA responses in WT and HD GPe neurons, but the effect was significantly greater in WT neurons. In contrast, a GAT-1 antagonist (NO-711) or a GABA_B receptor antagonist (CGP 54626) produced small increases in decay time but no differential effects between genotypes. IHC and WBs showed reduction of GAT-3 expression in the GPe of HD mice. Thus, reduced expression or dysfunction of GAT-3 could underlie alterations of GPe responses to GABA inputs from striatum and could be a target for therapeutic intervention.

COVID-19: Is there a role for Western blots and skin testing for determining immunity and development of a vaccine?

Infection with the virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) stimulates an immune response which can serve as a marker for current or past exposure to this pathogen, and possibly for resistance to re-infection. This response to COVID-19 can be monitored based on the production of antibodies, and thus, serologic tests have become available for diagnostic purposes. Despite progress in this area, concerns have been raised that too many of the commercially available serologic detection systems are not completely reliable. To address this issue, Western blots should be considered for confirming a positive or borderline-positive result from a screening test, such as an ELISA. An additional benefit of Western blots would be to identify antigens that could form the basis for developing a vaccine. Little is known about the cell-mediated immune response against COVID-19. One way to address this would be to use skin testing to measure the delayed-type hypersensitivity response in patients recovering from COVID-19.

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Western blots will improve the specificity of diagnosing COVID-19 infection.

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Western blots will help identify the antigens needed for vaccine development.

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Delayed hypersensitivity indicates anti-COVID-19 T-cell mediated immunity.

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Delayed hypersensitivity may indicate vaccine-mediated protection against COVID-19.

Retinal structure and function in monkeys with fetal alcohol exposure

Exposure to ethanol in utero leads to several brain development disorders including retinal abnormalities whose underlying cellular pathogenesis remains elusive. We recently reported that fetal alcohol exposure (FAE) in vervet monkeys induces anomalies of full-field electroretinogram (ERG) waveforms that suggest premature aging of the retina. The goal of this study is to characterize the anatomo-functional mechanisms underlying the retinal changes observed in fetal alcohol exposed (FAE) monkeys, and age- and sex-matched normals. First, we examined in vivo the fundus of the eyes, measured intraocular pressure (IOP) and assessed cone activity using flicker ERG. Second, we investigated ex vivo, protein expression and anatomical organization of the retina using Western blotting, classical histology and immunohistochemistry. Our results indicated that the fundus of the eyes showed both, increased vascularization (tessellated fundus) and IOP in FAE monkeys. Furthermore, light-adapted flicker responses above 15 Hz were also significantly higher in FAE monkeys. Although there were no obvious changes in the overall anatomy in the FAE retina, Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP, a potent marker of astrocytes) immunoreactivity was increased in the FAE retinal ganglion cell layer indicating a strong astrogliosis. These alterations were present in juvenile (2 years old) monkeys and persist in adults (8 years old). Moreover, using specific cell type markers, no significant modifications in the morphology of the photoreceptors, horizontal cells, bipolar cells, and amacrine cells were observed. Our data indicate that FAE does indeed induce anatomical changes within the retinal ganglion cell layer that are reflected in the increased photosensitivity of the cone photoreceptors.

GluNs Detection and Functions in Microglial Cells

Proving endogenous GluN presence and functions in microglia require complementary steps to demonstrate (1) that GluN genes are transcripted and translated, (2) their cellular localization, (3) that the GluN are functional, and (4) the role of the functional GluN. The complete demonstration is performed by using mRNA detection technics, western blots, immunofluorescence, electrophysiology, calcium imaging, morphology studies, multiplex immunoassay together with conditional microglial Knock-Out mice and brain lesion models.

Methanolic extract of Anthocephalus cadamba induces apoptosis in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells in experimental mice

Objective:

Anthocephalus cadamba (Roxb.) Miq. (Family: Rubiaceae), a folk medicine commonly known as “Kadam” in Bengali, has been used for the treatment of tumor. The methanolic extract of A. cadamba (MEAC) showing antitumor activity on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells treated mice was already reported. This study was designed to study the apoptosis-inducing property of MEAC and its mechanism in EAC cells in mice.

Materials and Methods:

Apoptogenic morphology was determined by fluorescent DNA-binding double staining method using dyes acridine orange (AO)/ethidium bromide (EB). Comet assay was estimated to check the DNA damage. Flow cytometry (fluorescence-activated cell sorting [FACS]) was used to detect the apoptotic rate quantitatively by double labeling techniques using annexin V FITC/propidium iodide staining. Apoptotic protein expression was done using Western blotting assay method.

Statistical Analysis:

Results are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA followed by Dunnett's post hoc test of GraphPad Prism software. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 and ***P < 0.001 were considered statistically significant.

Results:

Apoptosis-inducing effect of MEAC on EAC cells was confirmed from AO/EB staining and FACS analysis. MEAC treatment showed dose-dependent induction of DNA damage. Apoptosis was induced by increasing the expression of multiple downstream factors such as pro-apoptotic protein p53 and p21 in EAC. Bax was up-regulated and anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was down-regulated resulting in decrease of the Bcl-2/Bax ratio by MEAC treatment.

Conclusion:

Experimental results revealed that MEAC induces apoptosis by modulating the expression of some pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins in EAC and thus exerts its anti-tumor activity.

Cardiac arrhythmia and late-onset muscle weakness caused by a myofibrillar myopathy with unusual histopathological features due to a novel missense mutation in FLNC

Myofibrillar myopathies (MFM) are mostly adult-onset diseases characterized by progressive morphological alterations of the muscle fibers beginning in the Z-disk and the presence of protein aggregates in the sarcoplasm. They are mostly caused by mutations in different genes that encode Z-disk proteins, including DES, CRYAB, LDB3, MYOT, FLNC and BAG3. A large family of French origin, presenting an autosomal dominant pattern, characterized by cardiac arrhythmia associated to late-onset muscle weakness, was evaluated to clarify clinical, morphological and genetic diagnosis. Muscle weakness began during adult life (over 30 years of age), and had a proximal distribution. Histology showed clear signs of a myofibrillar myopathy, but with unusual, large inclusions. Subsequently, genetic testing was performed in MFM genes available for screening at the time of clinical/histological diagnosis, and desmin (DES), αB-crystallin (CRYAB), myotilin (MYOT) and ZASP (LDB3), were excluded. LMNA gene screening found the p.R296C variant which did not co-segregate with the disease. Genome wide scan revealed linkage to 7q.32, containing the FLNC gene. FLNC direct sequencing revealed a heterozygous c.3646T>A p.Tyr1216Asn change, co-segregating with the disease, in a highly conserved amino acid of the protein. Normal filamin C levels were detected by Western-blot analysis in patient muscle biopsies and expression of the mutant protein in NIH3T3 showed filamin C aggregates. This is an original FLNC mutation in a MFM family with an atypical clinical and histopathological presentation, given the presence of significantly focal lesions and prominent sarcoplasmic masses in muscle biopsies and the constant heart involvement preceding significantly the onset of the myopathy. Though a rare etiology, FLNC gene should not be excluded in early-onset arrhythmia, even in the absence of myopathy, which occurs later in the disease course.

[Expression and clinical significance of Testin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma]

Objective:Our purpose was to investigate the expression of Testin gene,and its possible relationship with the clinicopathological features of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Method:The expression of Testin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry methods,semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and Western blot.The correlations of Testin to clinicopathologic features of nasopharyngeal carcinoma were analyzed.Result:The mRNA level of Testin was down-regulated in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma.The positive rate of Testin protein was significantly lower in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues than that in nomal tissues;The protein level of Testin was down-regulated in cancers as compared with corresponding normal tissues.Testin expression was positively correlated with the differentiation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Meanwhile,differences in gender and age were not significance(P>0.05 respectively) .There was a significant correlation between invasion,distant metastasis and differentiation degree and Testin expression(P<0.05 respectively).Conclusion:The decreased expression of Testin gene may play an importmant role in the development of esophageal squamous cancer.Thus Testin gene might be a novel candidate of tumor-suppressor.It may be an objective marker for prognostic factor and malignant level for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Functional Analysis of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases in Thrombosis and Hemostasis

Platelets are small blood cells derived from cytoplasmic fragments of megakaryocytes and play an essential role in thrombosis and hemostasis. Platelet activation depends on the rapid phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of key signaling molecules, and a number of kinases and phosphatases have been identified as major regulators of platelet function. However, the investigation of novel signaling proteins has suffered from technical limitations due to the anucleate nature of platelets and their very limited levels of mRNA and de novo protein synthesis. In the past, experimental methods were restricted to the generation of genetically modified mice and the development of specific antibodies. More recently, novel (phospho)proteomic technologies and pharmacological approaches using specific small-molecule inhibitors have added additional capabilities to investigate specific platelet proteins.In this chapter, we report methods for using genetic and pharmacological approaches to investigate the function of platelet signaling proteins. While the described experiments focus on the role of the dual-specificity phosphatase 3 (DUSP3) in platelet signaling, the presented methods are applicable to any signaling enzyme. Specifically, we describe a testing strategy that includes (1) aggregation and secretion experiments with mouse and human platelets, (2) immunoprecipitation and immunoblot assays to study platelet signaling events, (3) detailed protocols to use selected animal models in order to investigate thrombosis and hemostasis in vivo, and (4) strategies for utilizing pharmacological inhibitors on human platelets.

Expression of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) and downstream muscle-specific proteins in ground squirrel skeletal and heart muscle during hibernation

The thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) undergoes remarkable adaptive changes during hibernation. Interestingly, skeletal muscle remodelling occurs during the torpor-arousal cycle of hibernation to prevent net muscle loss despite inactivity. Reversible cardiomyocyte hypertrophy occurs in cardiac muscle, allowing the heart to preserve cardiac output during hibernation, while avoiding chronic maladaptive hypertrophy post-hibernation. We propose that calcium signalling proteins [calcineurin (Cn), calmodulin (CaM), and calpain], the nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT) family of transcription factors, and the NFAT targets myoferlin and myomaker contribute significantly to adaptations taking place in skeletal and cardiac muscle during hibernation. Protein-level analyses were performed over several conditions: euthermic room temperature (ER), euthermic cold room (EC), entrance into (EN), early (ET), and late torpor (LT) time points, in addition to early (EA), interbout (IA), and late arousal (LA) time points using immunoblotting and DNA-protein interaction (DPI) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISAs). In skeletal and cardiac muscle, NFATc2 protein levels were elevated during torpor. NFATc4 increased throughout the torpor-arousal cycle in both tissues, and NFATc1 showed this trend in cardiac muscle only. NFATc3 showed an elevation in DNA-binding activity but not expression during torpor. Myoferlin protein levels dramatically increased during torpor in both skeletal and cardiac muscle. Myomaker levels also increased significantly in cardiac muscle during torpor. Cardiac Cn levels remained stable, whereas CaM and calpain decreased throughout the torpor-arousal cycle. Activation and/or upregulation of NFATc2, c3, myoferlin, and myomaker at torpor could be part of a stress-response mechanism to preserve skeletal muscle mass, whereas CaM and calpain appear to initiate the rapid reversal of cardiac hypertrophy during arousal through downregulation of the NFAT-Cn pathway.

Effects of antibodies to phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated tau on in vitro tau phosphorylation at Serine-199: Preliminary report

Phosphorylation of multiple amino acids on tau protein ("hyperphosphorylation") is required for the development of tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease. Administration of anti-tau antibodies to transgenic "tauopathy mice" has been shown to reduce their tau pathology but the mechanisms responsible are unclear. To examine the effects of anti-tau antibodies on tau phosphorylation, we used western blots to study the effects of three antibodies to phosphorylated tau (pTau), namely anti-pTau S199, T231, and S396, and three antibodies to non-phosphorylated tau on in vitro phosphorylation of recombinant human tau-441 at S199. Inclusion of an anti-pTau T231 antibody in the phosphorylation reaction reduced the intensity of monomeric pTau S199 in western blots of denaturing gels, but the other antibodies had no apparent effects on this process. Surprisingly, including all three anti-phospho-tau antibodies in the reaction did not reduce the intensity of the monomer band, possibly due to steric hindrance between the antibodies.

CONCLUSIONS

These preliminary findings suggest that anti-tau antibodies may have minimal direct effects on tau phosphorylation. Limitations of using western blots to examine the effects of anti-tau antibodies on this process were found to include between-experiment variability in pTau band densities and poor resolution of high molecular weight pTau oligomers. The presence of bands representing immunoglobulins as well as pTau may also complicate interpretation of the western blots. Further studies are indicated to examine the effects of anti-pTau antibodies on phosphorylation of other tau amino acids in addition to S199.

The importance of complete tissue homogenization for accurate stoichiometric measurement of myosin light chain phosphorylation in airway smooth muscle

The standard method for measuring the phosphorylation of the regulatory myosin light chain (MLC20) in smooth muscle is extraction of the light chain using a urea extraction buffer, urea-glycerol gel electrophoresis of the soluble portion of the extract (supernatant) and Western blot analysis. The undissolved portion of the tissue during extraction (the pellet) is usually discarded. Because the pellet contains a finite amount of MLC20, omission of the pellet could result in inaccurate measurement of MLC20 phosphorylation. In this study we compared the level of tracheal smooth muscle MLC20 phosphorylation in the supernatant alone, with that in the complete tissue homogenate (supernatant and pellet) using the standard method. The supernatant fraction showed the well-known double bands representing phosphorylated and un-phosphorylated MLC20. The dissolved pellet fraction showed varying amounts of un-phosphorylated and phosphorylated MLC20. There was a small but statistically significant overestimation of the percent MLC20 phosphorylation if the pellet was not taken into consideration. The overestimation was 7% ± 2% (mean ± SEM) (p < 0.05) in unstimulated muscle and 2% ± 1% (p < 0.05) in acetylcholine (10(-6) mol/L) stimulated muscle. This finding suggests that for accurate estimation of the stoichiometry of MLC20 phosphorylation it is necessary to consider the contribution from the pellet portion of the muscle tissue homogenate.

Immune status influences fear and anxiety responses in mice after acute stress exposure

Significant evidence suggests that exposure to traumatic and/or acute stress in both mice and humans results in compromised immune function that in turn may affect associated brain processes. Additionally, recent studies in mouse models of immune deficiency have suggested that adaptive immunity may play a role during traumatic stress exposure and that impairments in lymphocyte function may contribute to increased susceptibility to various psychogenic stressors. However, rodent studies on the relationship between maladaptive stress responses and lymphocyte deficiency have been complicated by the fact that genetic manipulations in these models may also result in changes in CNS function due to the expression of targeted genes in tissues other than lymphocytes, including the brain. To address these issues we utilized mice with a deletion of recombination-activating gene 2 (Rag2), which has no confirmed expression in the CNS; thus, its loss should result in the absence of mature lymphocytes without altering CNS function directly. Stress responsiveness of immune deficient Rag2(-/-) mice on a BALB/c background was evaluated in three different paradigms: predator odor exposure (POE), fear conditioning (FC) and learned helplessness (LH). These models are often used to study different aspects of stress responsiveness after the exposure to an acute stressor. In addition, immunoblot analysis was used to assess hippocampal BDNF expression under both stressed and non-stressed conditions. Subsequent to POE, Rag2(-/-) mice exhibited a reduced acoustic startle response compared to BALB/c mice; no significant differences in behavior were observed in either FC or LH. Furthermore, analysis of hippocampal BDNF indicated that Rag2(-/-) mice have elevated levels of the mature form of BDNF compared to BALB/c mice. Results from our studies suggest that the absence of mature lymphocytes is associated with increased resilience to stress exposure in the POE and does not affect behavioral responses in the FC and LH paradigms. These findings indicate that lymphocytes play a specific role in stress responsiveness dependent upon the type, nature and intensity of the stressor.

Structural characterization of the main immunogenic region of the Torpedo acetylcholine receptor

To develop antigen-specific immunotherapies for autoimmune diseases, knowledge of the molecular structure of targeted immunological hotspots will guide the production of reagents to inhibit and halt production of antigen specific attack agents. To this end we have identified three noncontiguous segments of the Torpedo nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) α-subunit that contribute to the conformationally sensitive immunological hotspot on the AChR termed the main immunogenic region (MIR): α(1-12), α(65-79), and α(110-115). This region is the target of greater than 50% of the anti-AChR Abs in serum from patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) and animals with experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG). Many monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) raised in one species against an electric organ AChR cross react with the neuromuscular AChR MIR in several species. Probing the Torpedo AChR α-subunit with mAb 132A, a disease inducing anti-MIR mAb raised against the Torpedo AChR, we have determined that two of the three MIR segments, α(1-12) and α(65-79), form a complex providing the signature components recognized by mAb 132A. These two segments straddle a third, α(110-115), that seems not to contribute specific side chains for 132A recognition, but is necessary for optimum antibody binding. This third segment appears to form a foundation upon which the three-dimensional 132A epitope is anchored.

The use of intra-cellular signaling pathways in anesthesiology and pain medicine field

At the level of individual cells, signaling is crucial in cell division, differentiation, metabolic control and death. Reception of the signals depends on receptor proteins that are usually at the cell surface, and these receptor proteins bind the signal molecule. The binding activates the receptor, which in turn activates one or more of the intra-cellular signaling pathways. These relay chains of molecules, mainly intra-cellular signaling proteins, process the signal inside the receiving cell and distribute it to the appropriate intra-cellular targets. Cell signaling pathways are involved in the pathophysiology of many diseases and also in the mechanisms of action of many drugs, including local and general anesthetics. Knowledge of the basic cell signaling mechanisms is essential for understanding many of the pathophysiologic and pharmacologic mechanisms. Therefore, if we focus on applying the new cellular and molecular biologic research, these efforts could identify the mechanism of diseases and help develop new drugs in the field of anesthesiology and pain medicine.

Lidocaine attenuates the expression of ERK1/2 and CREB in a neuropathic pain model of rats

BACKGROUND

In addition to causing the loss of voluntary sensory and motor function, spinal cord injury (SCI) often creates a state of central neuropathic pain. Rats given SCI display increases in the activated form of transcription factors ERK 1/2, p38 MAPK, and CREB in the spinal cord, which correspond to allodynia in a model of neuropathic pain. The current study was designed to determine if lidocaine had an effect on the development of neuropathic pain in response to SCI.

METHODS

Male Sprague Dawley rats were anesthetized and then received a L5-L6 spinal nerve ligation (neuropathic rats). The levels of intracellular cell-signaling protein, ERK 1/2 and CREB were then assessed by western blot analysis of samples collected from a sham operated (control) group, a neuropathic pain and normal saline (NP + NS) group, and a neuropathic pain and 5% lidocaine (NP + Lido) group.

RESULTS

The increased levels of ERK 1/2 and CREB protein that were observed in the neuropathic pain model were reduced by continuous infusion of 5% lidocaine.

CONCLUSIONS

The current results suggest that lidocaine therapy may be an effective method of preventing and treating central neuropathic pain following SCI, and that these effects may occur via the reduced expression of ERK 1/2 and CREB in the intracellular cell-signaling pathway.