Transcriptome Analysis of the Mouse Medial Prefrontal Cortex in a Chronic Constriction Injury Model

Abstract Chronic pain patients often complain their decreased cognitive function. However, the comorbidity mechanism between neuropathic pain and cognitive dysfunction still remains largely unknown. Here, we examined changes in the transciptomic profiles in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of mice with chronic pain and cognitive impairment using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technology. A mouse model of peripheral neuropathic pain was induced via chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve. CCI mice developed sustained mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, as well as cognitive impairment four weeks after surgery. Comparing with the naïve group, RNA-seq identified a total 309 and 222 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in ipsilateral and contralateral mPFC of CCI model mice, respectively. GO analysis indicated that the functions of these gene families are mainly enriched in immune and inflammation-related processes such as interferon-gamma production, cytokine secretion etc. KEGG analysis further showed the enriched neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction signaling pathway and Parkinson disease pathway that have been reported to be importantly involved in chronic neuralgia and cognitive dysfunction. Our study may provide insights into understanding the possible mechanisms underlying pain-related cognitive disorders.