Silencing of secreted phosphoprotein 1 attenuates sciatic nerve injury‐induced neuropathic pain: Regulating extracellular signal‐regulated kinase and neuroinflammatory signaling pathways

Abstract Background Neuropathic pain (NP) is a chronic pathological pain that affects the quality of life and is a huge medical burden for affected patients. In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) on NP. Methods We established a chronic constriction injury (CCI) rat model, knocked down SPP1 via an intrathecal injection, and/or activated the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) pathway with insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) treatment. Pain behaviors, including paw withdrawal threshold (PWT), paw withdrawal latency (PWL), lifting number, and frequency, were assessed. After sacrificing rats, the L4‐L5 dorsal root ganglion was collected. Then, SPP1 levels were determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blot analysis. The levels of interleukin (IL)‐1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, IL‐6, IL‐10, epidermal growth factor (EGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β were determined using qPCR and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The levels of ERK pathway factors were determined via western blot analysis. Results We found that CCI decreased PWT and PWL, increased the lifting number and frequency, and upregulated SPP1 levels. The loss of SPP1 reversed these CCI‐induced effects. Additionally, CCI upregulated IL‐1β, TNF‐α, IL‐6, EGF, and VEGF levels, downregulated TGF‐β levels, and activated the ERK pathway, while silencing of SPP1 abrogated these CCI‐induced effects. Moreover, IGF‐1 treatment reversed the effects of SPP1 loss. Conclusions The data indicate that silencing SPP1 attenuates NP via inactivation of the ERK pathway, suggesting that SPP1 may be a promising target for NP treatment.