Different expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase family members in rat dorsal root ganglia and their changes after peripheral nerve injury

Abstract Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and MMP2 are important in the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain behavior induced by peripheral nerve injury. The enzymatic activity of MMP9 and MMP2 is balanced specifically by tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1) and TIMP2, respectively. In present study, we measured the effect of peripheral nerve injury on the expression of TIMP1 and TIMP2 in adult dorsal root ganglia (DRG). A dramatic increase of TIMP1 mRNA and a decrease of TIMP2 in DRG after sciatic nerve transection (SNT) were displayed through a real-time PCR method. Furthermore, data showed by in situ hybridization that TIMP1 mRNA was only localized in DRG satellite cells under normal conditions. TIMP1 mRNA was increased in satellite cells, and induced within sensory neurons after SNT. Analysis of neuronal profiles showed that induced TIMP1 mRNA was mainly contained in small and medium DRG neurons. Further study displayed that induced TIMP1 mRNA was predominantly present in activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3)-positive injured DRG neurons. Comparatively, TIMP2 mRNA was mostly contained within sensory neurons and the overall amount decreased at the late stage after nerve injury. These data showed different change of TIMPs in DRG after peripheral nerve injury.