RESUMO
AIMS: Anterior lumbar interbody fusion procedures (ALIF) and total disc replacement (TDR) with anterior exposure of the lumbar spine entail a risk of a vascular injury and dysfunction of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves due to disturbance of the inferior and superior hypogastric plexus. While retrograde ejaculation is a known complication of the anterior spinal approach in males, post-operative sexual as well as urinary function in females has not yet been thoroughly investigated and was hence the aim of this study. METHODS: Fifteen female patients documented their sexual and urinary function preoperatively, 3 months and 6 months postoperatively, using the validated questionnaires FSFI (Female Sexual Function Index) and ICIQ (International Consultation of Incontinence Questionnaire). Randomization tests were used to statistically analyze expectation values over time (two-sided, P < 0.05). RESULTS: While no statistically significant change in the total FSFI score occurred over time, a significant increase in FSFI desire score was noted between preoperative (2.95 ± 0.8) and 6 months follow-up (3.51 ± 0.6, P = 0.02). Urinary continence remained unchanged over time. CONCLUSION: In summary, ALIF and lumbar TDR do not seem to negatively influence sexual and urinary function in females. In contrast, increased sexual desire was noted, likely secondary to post-surgical pain relief.
Assuntos
Vértebras Lombares/cirurgia , Fusão Vertebral/efeitos adversos , Substituição Total de Disco/efeitos adversos , Micção/fisiologia , Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/etiologia , Comportamento Sexual , Inquéritos e Questionários , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels have emerged as potential sensors and transducers of inflammatory pain. The aims of this study were to investigate (1) the expression of TRP channels in intervertebral disc (IVD) cells in normal and inflammatory conditions and (2) the function of Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) and Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) in IVD inflammation and matrix homeostasis. RT-qPCR was used to analyze human fetal, healthy, and degenerated IVD tissues for the gene expression of TRPA1 and TRPV1. The primary IVD cell cultures were stimulated with either interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß) or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) alone or in combination with TRPA1/V1 agonist allyl isothiocyanate (AITC, 3 and 10 µM), followed by analysis of calcium flux and the expression of inflammation mediators (RT-qPCR/ELISA) and matrix constituents (RT-qPCR). The matrix structure and composition in caudal motion segments from TRPA1 and TRPV1 wild-type (WT) and knock-out (KO) mice was visualized by FAST staining. Gene expression of other TRP channels (A1, C1, C3, C6, V1, V2, V4, V6, M2, M7, M8) was also tested in cytokine-treated cells. TRPA1 was expressed in fetal IVD cells, 20% of degenerated IVDs, but not in healthy mature IVDs. TRPA1 expression was not detectable in untreated cells and it increased upon cytokine treatment, while TRPV1 was expressed and concomitantly reduced. In inflamed IVD cells, 10 µM AITC activated calcium flux, induced gene expression of IL-8, and reduced disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5 (ADAMTS5) and collagen 1A1, possibly via upregulated TRPA1. TRPA1 KO in mice was associated with signs of degeneration in the nucleus pulposus and the vertebral growth plate, whereas TRPV1 KO did not show profound changes. Cytokine treatment also affected the gene expression of TRPV2 (increase), TRPV4 (increase), and TRPC6 (decrease). TRPA1 might be expressed in developing IVD, downregulated during its maturation, and upregulated again in degenerative disc disease, participating in matrix homeostasis. However, follow-up studies with larger sample sizes are needed to fully elucidate the role of TRPA1 and other TRP channels in degenerative disc disease.
Assuntos
Matriz Extracelular/metabolismo , Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Degeneração do Disco Intervertebral/metabolismo , Disco Intervertebral/metabolismo , Núcleo Pulposo/metabolismo , Canal de Cátion TRPA1/biossíntese , Canais de Cátion TRPV/biossíntese , Animais , Sinalização do Cálcio , Matriz Extracelular/patologia , Humanos , Inflamação/metabolismo , Inflamação/patologia , Mediadores da Inflamação/metabolismo , Disco Intervertebral/patologia , Degeneração do Disco Intervertebral/patologia , Camundongos , Camundongos Knockout , Núcleo Pulposo/patologiaRESUMO
PURPOSE: To investigate and compare the occurrence of inflammatory processes in the sites of disc degeneration in the lumbar and cervical spine by a gene array and subsequent qPCR and to investigate the mechanistic involvement of transient receptor potential channels TRPC6 and TRPV4. METHODS: The gene expression of inflammatory cytokines and TRP channels was measured in human disc samples obtained from patients undergoing discectomy at the cervical (n = 24) or lumbar (n = 27) spine for degenerative disc disease (DDD) and disc herniation (DH) and analyzed for differences with regard to spinal level, IVD degeneration grade, Modic grade, age, sex, disc region and surgical extent. RESULTS: Aside from genes with known implication in DDD and DH, four previously unreported genes from the interferon and TRP families (IFNA1, IFNA8, IFNB1, TRPC6) could be detected. A correlation between gene expression and age (IL-15) and IVD degeneration grade (IFNA1, IL-6, IL-15, TRPC6), but not Modic grade, was identified. Significant differences were detected between cervical and lumbar discs (IL-15), nucleus and annulus (IL-6, TNF-α, TRPC6), single-level and multi-level surgery (IL-6, IL-8) as well as DDD and DH (IL-8), while sex had no effect. Multiple gene-gene pair correlations, either between different cytokines or between cytokines and TRP channels, exist in the disc. CONCLUSION: This study supports the relevance of IL-6 and IL-8 in disc diseases, but furthermore points toward a possible pathological role of IL-15 and type I interferons, as well as a mechanistic role of TRPC6. With limited differences in the inflammatory profile of cervical and lumbar discs, novel anti-inflammatory or TRP-modulatory strategies for the treatment of disc pathologies may be applicable independent of the spinal region.
Assuntos
Citocinas/genética , Degeneração do Disco Intervertebral/genética , Deslocamento do Disco Intervertebral/genética , Disco Intervertebral/metabolismo , Canal de Cátion TRPC6/genética , Canais de Cátion TRPV/genética , Adolescente , Adulto , Fatores Etários , Idoso , Vértebras Cervicais/metabolismo , Citocinas/metabolismo , Feminino , Humanos , Degeneração do Disco Intervertebral/cirurgia , Deslocamento do Disco Intervertebral/cirurgia , Vértebras Lombares/metabolismo , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Canal de Cátion TRPC6/metabolismo , Canais de Cátion TRPV/metabolismo , Adulto JovemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to correlate various radiological parameters with clinical outcome in patients who had undergone lumbar total disc replacement (TDR). Lumbar TDR is one possible treatment option in patients with low back pain (LBP), offering an alternative to lumbar fusion. Favourable clinical outcome hinges on a number of radiological parameters, such as mobility, sintering, and-most importantly-accurate positioning of the implant. METHODS: A total of 46 patients received a prosthetic disc because of degenerative lumbar disc disorders. Follow-up evaluation included analysis of radiographs and subjective rating of the clinical status by the patient using the North American Spine Society (NASS) patient questionnaire, visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and state of health, and the EuroQol EQ-5D. Radiological follow-up took place after 2 years. Coronal and sagittal positions of the prosthesis, intervertebral disc height, facet joint pressure, mobility, sintering, and calcification were evaluated. Optimal positioning of the prosthesis was defined as a central coronal position and a most dorsal position in the sagittal plane. Based on the radiologically determined placement of the prosthesis, the patient population was divided into three groups, i.e., prosthesis ideally placed (<2 mm), discretely shifted (2-3 mm), or suboptimally placed (>3 mm). RESULTS: Overall, 81 % of patients stated that they would undergo the operation again. Health status was stable at a VAS score of 7.04 points 2 years after TDR, compared to 3.97 points before TDR. Mean working capacity had increased from 53 % preoperatively to 88 % 2 years after TDR. Overall, 39 % of the prostheses were rated as ideally positioned, while 13 % were discretely shifted and 48 % were suboptimally placed with respect to one of the radiological criteria. In 80.4 % of patients, follow-up assessment after ≥2 years indicated good mobility at the operated segment, while calcification was noted in 4 % and sintering was detected in 15 % of the implants. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate poor correlation between clinical outcome and position of the prosthesis. Although 48 % of the implants were suboptimally placed in either the coronal or sagittal plane, most of the patients reached a very good clinical outcome. However, suboptimally placed devices appeared to cause significantly more neurological symptoms in long-term follow-up.
Assuntos
Degeneração do Disco Intervertebral/cirurgia , Dor Lombar/cirurgia , Vértebras Lombares/cirurgia , Região Lombossacral/cirurgia , Substituição Total de Disco/métodos , Adolescente , Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Degeneração do Disco Intervertebral/complicações , Degeneração do Disco Intervertebral/patologia , Dor Lombar/diagnóstico por imagem , Dor Lombar/etiologia , Vértebras Lombares/diagnóstico por imagem , Região Lombossacral/diagnóstico por imagem , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Medição da Dor , Radiografia , Substituição Total de Disco/efeitos adversos , Resultado do Tratamento , Adulto JovemRESUMO
This paper is an overview of various features of regional anesthesia (RA) and aims to introduce spine surgeons unfamiliar with RA. RA is commonly used for procedures that involve the lower extremities, perineum, pelvic girdle, or lower abdomen. However, general anesthesia (GA) is preferred and most commonly used for lumbar spine surgery. Spinal anesthesia (SA) and epidural anesthesia (EA) are the most commonly used RA methods, and a combined method of SA and EA (CSE). Compared to GA, RA offers numerous benefits including reduced intraoperative blood loss, arterial and venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, perioperative cardiac ischemic incidents, renal failure, hypoxic episodes in the postanesthetic care unit, postoperative morbidity and mortality, and decreased incidence of cognitive dysfunction. In spine surgery, RA is associated with lower pain scores, postoperative nausea and vomiting, positioning injuries, shorter anesthesia time, and higher patient satisfaction. Currently, RA is mostly used in short lumbar spine surgeries. However, recent findings illustrate the possibility of applying RA in spinal tumors and spinal fusion. Various researches reveal that SA is an effective alternative to GA with lower minor complications incidence. Comprehensive insight on RA will promote spine surgery under RA, thereby broadening the horizon of spine surgery under RA.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: There are only a few prospective clinical trials investigating the effects of different anesthetic techniques on clinical outcomes after lumbar spine surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes in patients receiving general (GA) and regional anesthesia (RA) for lumbar spine surgery. METHODS: This was a single-center, 2-arm, trial in which 100 patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery were randomized to receive either RA or GA (50 per group). The primary endpoint was morphine consumption during the first postoperative 48 hours. In addition, anesthesia time, transition time (defined as time from end of surgery to admission to the postoperative anesthesia care unit), visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, and patient satisfaction at hospital discharge were recorded. RESULTS: There was no difference in the primary endpoint (cumulative morphine consumption at 48 h) between the 2 anesthesia types. Anesthesia and transition times were significantly shorter in the RA compared with the GA group-anesthesia time 125.4±23.6 minutes for GA versus 99.4±13.5 minutes for RA, transition time 22.5 minutes for GA versus 10.0 minutes for RA (both P<0.001). The VAS for pain on arrival to the postoperative anesthetic care unit was lower for patients who received RA compared with GA (crude and adjusted, both <0.001). 84% of patients in the RA group were completely satisfied compared with 74% in the GA group (P<0.001). There was a significant difference in the sex analysis for VAS for pain over time; females reported higher VAS for pain from the preoperative assessment to 6 weeks after the operation (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in postoperative morphine consumption in patients receiving GA and RA for lumbar spine surgery. RA was associated with shorter anesthesia and transition times, lower VAS for pain at arrival at the postoperative anesthesia care unit, and higher patient satisfaction at hospital discharge.
Assuntos
Anestesia por Condução/métodos , Anestesia Geral/métodos , Região Lombossacral/cirurgia , Adulto , Idoso , Analgésicos Opioides/administração & dosagem , Analgésicos Opioides/uso terapêutico , Método Duplo-Cego , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Morfina/administração & dosagem , Morfina/uso terapêutico , Procedimentos Neurocirúrgicos , Medição da Dor , Dor Pós-Operatória/tratamento farmacológico , Estudos Prospectivos , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Mechanical loading and inflammation interact to cause degenerative disc disease and low back pain (LBP). However, the underlying mechanosensing and mechanotransductive pathways are poorly understood. This results in untargeted pharmacological treatments that do not take the mechanical aspect of LBP into account. We investigated the role of the mechanosensitive ion channel TRPV4 in stretch-induced inflammation in human annulus fibrosus (AF) cells. The cells were cyclically stretched to 20% hyperphysiological strain. TRPV4 was either inhibited with the selective TRPV4 antagonist GSK2193874 or knocked out (KO) via CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. The gene expression, inflammatory mediator release and MAPK pathway activation were analyzed. Hyperphysiological cyclic stretching significantly increased the IL6, IL8, and COX2 mRNA, PGE2 release, and activated p38 MAPK. The TRPV4 pharmacological inhibition significantly attenuated these effects. TRPV4 KO further prevented the stretch-induced upregulation of IL8 mRNA and reduced IL6 and IL8 release, thus supporting the inhibition data. We provide novel evidence that TRPV4 transduces hyperphysiological mechanical signals into inflammatory responses in human AF cells, possibly via p38. Additionally, we show for the first time the successful gene editing of human AF cells via CRISPR-Cas9. The pharmacological inhibition or CRISPR-based targeting of TRPV4 may constitute a potential therapeutic strategy to tackle discogenic LBP in patients with AF injury.
Assuntos
Anel Fibroso/fisiologia , Proteína 9 Associada à CRISPR/metabolismo , Sistemas CRISPR-Cas/genética , Técnicas de Inativação de Genes , Estresse Mecânico , Canais de Cátion TRPV/antagonistas & inibidores , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Células Cultivadas , Dinoprostona/metabolismo , Feminino , Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Mediadores da Inflamação/metabolismo , Interleucina-8/genética , Interleucina-8/metabolismo , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fosforilação , Canais de Cátion TRPV/metabolismo , Proteínas Quinases p38 Ativadas por Mitógeno/metabolismoRESUMO
The effect of 17beta-estradiol on the secondary damage following spinal cord injury (SCI) was examined in male rats subjected to moderate compression. Two doses of 17beta-estradiol (0.1 or 4 mg/kg) were injected i.p. immediately after spinal cord compression. Functional outcome was observed during 4 weeks following injury with two different tests. Release of cytokines (IL-1alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6) was assessed 6 h, 3 days and 1 week post-injury. Reactive astrocytes expressing the glial fibrillary acidic protein GFAP and vimentin, and diffusion of CD68-positive inflammatory cells were examined from 3 days to 4 weeks following SCI. Treatment with 17beta-estradiol significantly increased locomotor function from the first week until 4 weeks post-SCI. The injured spinal cord of 17beta-estradiol-treated rats expressed more IL-1alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 than controls 6 h after injury. Moreover, 17beta-estradiol-treated rats showed reactive astrocytes as soon as 3 days following SCI, with increased GFAP expression, smaller lesion areas and more limited diffusion of CD68-positive cells after 1 week post-injury compared to controls. The number of CD68-positive cells was also reduced in 17beta-estradiol-treated rats one week post-SCI. However, these differences between 17beta-estradiol-treated and control rats disappeared after 4 weeks. These results suggest that 17beta-estradiol protects the spinal cord by stimulating early cytokines release and astroglial responses. These stimulations may prevent the area of damage from expanding and inflammatory cells to spread in the surrounding tissue during the critical first week following SCI. Although transient, these effects improved the locomotor recovery that was sustained over 4 weeks after injury.
Assuntos
Astrócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Citocinas/metabolismo , Estradiol/uso terapêutico , Estrogênios/uso terapêutico , Inflamação , Recuperação de Função Fisiológica/efeitos dos fármacos , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal , Análise de Variância , Animais , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Proteína Glial Fibrilar Ácida/metabolismo , Inflamação/etiologia , Inflamação/metabolismo , Inflamação/patologia , Masculino , Atividade Motora/efeitos dos fármacos , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal/complicações , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal/tratamento farmacológico , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal/patologia , Fatores de Tempo , Vimentina/metabolismoRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Motor-evoked potentials (MEP) for intra-operative monitoring due to fast charge (fc: 1.0 Coulomb/s) and slow charge (sc: 0.1Coulomb/s) delivery for multipulse transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) were compared. METHODS: MEPs due to fc (n=162) and sc stimulation (n=182) were performed in parallel in a prospective study. The fc stimulation technique is characterized by an increased steepness of charge delivery with consequent reduction of stimulus duration of 50 micros compared to 500 micros in sc stimulation. Stimulation charges (C=Coulomb) and MEP parameters during spine surgery were analyzed. RESULTS: MEPs were successfully recorded in 15/18 patients under total intravenous anesthesia. The mean charge to induce intra-operative MEPs (stimulation threshold) was significantly less in fc (0.195 mC) as compared to sc stimulation (0.298 mC). With both stimulation techniques, in all patients without impairment of motor function, MEPs could be recorded and no technique was superior with respect to successful stimulation. The mean MEP latencies, amplitudes and the extent of intra-individual variation of MEP parameters during surgery (shift of latency less than 10%, variability of amplitude less than 50%) were not different with both stimulation techniques. CONCLUSIONS: TES with either fc or sc stimulation can be used reliably for intraoperative monitoring. Fc and sc stimulation are comparable with respect to feasibility, intra-individual variability and mean parameters of MEP responses. However, fc stimulation provides a higher stimulation efficiency and requires about 35% less total charge for MEP monitoring.
Assuntos
Estimulação Elétrica/métodos , Potencial Evocado Motor/fisiologia , Monitorização Intraoperatória , Doenças da Coluna Vertebral/cirurgia , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Lateralidade Funcional , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Monitorização Intraoperatória/métodos , Atividade Motora , Seleção de PacientesRESUMO
This is a prospective study of spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electrophysiological recordings, and neurological examinations of 100 patients admitted for surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), which was conducted to assess the prevalence of structural and functional abnormalities within the spinal cord in patients with clinically normal neurologic condition. In all patients the clinical diagnosis and intact neurological condition was ascertained by a spinal orthopedic surgeon. Full-length spinal axis MRI studies (T1/T2 sequences) and somato-sensory evoked potentials of the tibial nerves (tSSEPs) were preoperatively assessed by independent evaluators blinded to the patients' medical histories. Structural spinal cord abnormalities were found in three of 100 AIS patients on MR imaging. In one patient a Chiari malformation type 1 with an accompanying syringomyelia was diagnosed, which required a suboccipital decompression. In the other two patients small thoracic syringomyelias were diagnosed. Abnormalities of spinal cord function were detected in 68% of the 100 patients: tSSEP latencies corrected for body height were increased in 56% of the patients; pathological differences between tSSEPs on the left and right sides were present in 17% (12% in combination with a prolongation of the latency). The findings of this study indicate that MRI and electrophysiological examinations are essential to assess spinal cord abnormalities that are clinically not detectable in AIS patients. Even in patients with intact neurologic condition and clinically typical right-curved thoracic scoliosis, the possibility of intraspinal pathologies should be ruled out by MRI. It is especially important to detect structural pathologies like syringomyelia and Chiari malformation before proceeding with scoliosis surgery, as these conditions are associated with a higher neurological risk during scoliosis surgery. The electrophysiological recordings made in the present study, with the high number of pathological tSSEPs, are indicative of functional abnormalities with a subclinical involvement of the recorded neuronal pathways. The relevance of the latter findings is not yet clear, but pre-operative tSSEP examinations offer the possibility of assessing alterations in spinal cord function that are undetectable by clinical examination.
Assuntos
Cuidados Pré-Operatórios/normas , Escoliose/diagnóstico , Escoliose/fisiopatologia , Medula Espinal/patologia , Medula Espinal/fisiopatologia , Adolescente , Vias Aferentes/fisiopatologia , Malformação de Arnold-Chiari/diagnóstico , Malformação de Arnold-Chiari/fisiopatologia , Estimulação Elétrica , Eletrodiagnóstico , Eletrofisiologia , Potencial Evocado Motor/fisiologia , Potenciais Somatossensoriais Evocados/fisiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Masculino , Condução Nervosa/fisiologia , Exame Neurológico/normas , Seleção de Pacientes , Estudos Prospectivos , Escoliose/cirurgia , Medula Espinal/anormalidades , Compressão da Medula Espinal/diagnóstico , Compressão da Medula Espinal/etiologia , Compressão da Medula Espinal/fisiopatologia , Siringomielia/diagnóstico , Siringomielia/fisiopatologia , Nervo Tibial/fisiologiaRESUMO
Nogo is a potent inhibitor of regeneration following spinal cord injury. To develop a better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for regenerative failure we used a yeast two-hybrid approach to try and identify proteins that interact with Nogo. We identified a novel mitochondrial protein designated Nogo-interacting mitochondrial protein (NIMP) in a screen of an adult human brain cDNA library. This interaction was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation in both brain tissue (endogenous) and transfected HEK293T cells (overexpressed). In support of these studies we demonstrate that Nogo interacts with the UQCRC1 and UQCRC2 components of complex III, within the mitochondrial respiratory chain. The mitochondrial localization of NIMP was evidenced by confocal image analysis and western blot analysis of isolated mitochondria. NIMP is highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed in mitochondria-enriched tissues. Within the CNS, NIMP-like immunoreactivity is present in neurons and astrocytes. These data suggest that NIMP is a novel mitochondrial protein that interacts with Nogo. The interaction of Nogo with mitochondrial proteins may provide insight into the mechanisms for Nogo-induced inhibition of neurite growth.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Transporte/metabolismo , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , Proteínas Mitocondriais/metabolismo , Proteínas da Mielina/metabolismo , Animais , Células COS , Proteínas de Transporte/genética , Bovinos , Linhagem Celular , Sequência Conservada , Complexo III da Cadeia de Transporte de Elétrons/metabolismo , Humanos , Substâncias Macromoleculares , Camundongos , Proteínas Mitocondriais/genética , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Regeneração Nervosa/fisiologia , Proteínas Nogo , Especificidade de Órgãos , Ligação Proteica/fisiologia , Subunidades Proteicas , RNA Mensageiro/biossíntese , Proteínas Recombinantes de Fusão/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes de Fusão/metabolismo , Alinhamento de Sequência , Homologia de Sequência de Aminoácidos , Técnicas do Sistema de Duplo-HíbridoRESUMO
RGS proteins regulate G protein-mediated signalling pathways through direct interaction with the Galpha subunits and facilitation of GTP hydrolysis. An RGS subfamily consisting of RGS 6, 7, 9, and 11 also interacts with the G protein beta subunit Gbeta5 via a characteristic Ggamma-like domain. Thus far, these complexes were found only in neurons, with RGS7 being the most widely distributed in the brain. Here we confirm the expression of RGS7 in spinal neurons and show as a novel finding that following an experimental spinal cord injury in rats, expression of RGS7 is induced in a subpopulation of other cells. Immunofluorescent confocal microscopy using a series of cell specific antibodies identified these RGS7 positive cells as activated microglia and/or invading peripheral macrophages. To rule out interference from the adjacent neurons and confirm the presence of RGS7-Gbeta5 complex in inflammatory cells, we performed immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunoprecipitation using microglial (BV2) and peripheral macrophage (RAW) cell lines. Expression of RGS7 mRNA and protein are nearly undetectable in non-stimulated BV2 and RAW cells, but remarkably increased after stimulation with LPS or TNF-alpha In addition, RGS7-positive cells were also found in the perinodular rim in the rat spleen. Our findings show that RGS7-Gbeta5 complex is expressed in immunocompetent cells such as resident microglia and peripheral macrophages following spinal cord injury. This expression might contribute to the post-traumatic inflammatory responses in the central nervous system.