Pannexin-1 Characterization after Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

Abstract Background Pannexin-1 (Panx-1) is a homomeric membrane semi-channel mostly expressed in the central nervous system of mammals, including neurons and glial cells. Panx-1 channels are highly permeable to calcium and Adenosine Triphosphatase (ATP), it plays an important role in Hypoxic injury of cerebral ischemia through a variety of signal pathways, nerve cell apoptosis and inflammatory response. However, its specific role in spinal cord injury (SCI) is not clear. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the characterization of Panx-1 after SCI in rats, and further analysis were made on its effect and possible mechanism in SCI in order to provide the experimental evidence for potential interfering target spot on SCI therapy. Methods A rat SCI model (Allen’s model) was established by NYU Impactor-III and the hind limb motor function of rats was observed by BBB score. The expression of Panx-1 was detected by Real-time PCR and Western Blot. The correlation between Panx-1 expression and the BBB score in rats after SCI was analyzed to reveal the role of Panx-1 in SCI. Results We found that the BBB score gradually recovered after SCI, but declined significantly at day 2 after SCI. Real-time PCR and Western Blot detection showed that compared with the normal control group and the sham operation group, the expression of Panx-1 increased significantly with time after SCI, and reached a peak at day 2 after SCI. Moreover, there was a significant negative correlation between the expression of Panx-1 protein and the BBB score of rat hind limb motor function at day 1, day 2, day 3 and day 5 after SCI. Conclusions The characterization of of Panx-1 expression after SCI in rats suggests that Panx-1 had a significant effect on the motor function recovery after SCI, and it was one of the important mechanisms that aggravate the secondary injury after SCI in rats. This provided experimental basis for further exploring the potential intervention target of SCI.