Neuronal Dual Leucine Zipper Kinase Mediates Inflammatory and Nociceptive Responses in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Cystitis

Abstract

Interstitial cystitis is associated with neurogenic inflammation and neuropathic bladder pain. Dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK) expressed in sensory neurons is implicated in neuropathic pain. We hypothesized that neuronal DLK is involved in the regulation of inflammation and nociceptive behavior in cystitis. Mice deficient in DLK in sensory neurons (cKO) were generated by crossing DLK floxed mice with mice expressing Cre recombinase under Advillin promoter. Cystitis was induced by cyclophosphamide (CYP) administration in mice. Nociceptive behavior, bladder inflammation, and pathology were assessed following cystitis induction in control and cKO mice. The role of DLK in CYP-induced cystitis was further determined by pharmacological inhibition of DLK with GNE-3511. Deletion of neuronal DLK attenuated CYP-induced pain-like nociceptive behavior and suppressed histamine release from mast cells, neuronal activation in the spinal cord, and bladder pathology. Mice deficient in neuronal DLK also showed reduced inflammation induced by CYP and reduced c-Jun activation in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Pharmacological inhibition of DLK with GNE-3511 recapitulated the effects of neuronal DLK depletion in CYP treatment mice. Our study suggests that DLK is a potential target for the treatment of neuropathic pain and bladder pathology associated with cystitis.

Red propolis reduces inflammation in cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis in rats

“…The exposure of the bladder urothelium to acrolein initiates an inflammatory process characterized by edema, leukocyte infiltration, hemorrhage, and ulceration leading to hemorrhagic cystitis and severe suprapubic pain and discomfort 4 . In the CP-induced cystitis mouse model, CP upregulates c-Fox expression in the spinal cord, increases myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity (an indication of neutrophil accumulation), and promotes proinflammatory cytokines production including interleukin (IL)-1ß and the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α 5 .…”

C-Reactive Protein: More than a Biomarker

“…However, cystitis may occur as a consequence of treatment with cyclophosphamide and this condition is associated with neurogenic inflammation and neuropathic bladder pain [10]. In this issue, Jiang et al [11] hypothesize that neuronal dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK) is involved in the regulation of inflammation and nociceptive stimulation during cystitis. Cystitis was induced by cyclophosphamide administration in mice.…”