The levels of BDNF and inflammatory cytokines expression increased in insular cortex, AuV, TeA, and Ect regions in chronic corneal pain mice
To clarify underlying central mechanism, we further investigated the expression of BDNF and inflammatory cytokines from the insular cortex (AID, AIP, GI, DI) and AuV, TeA, Ect brain tissue. RT-qPCR showed mRNA levels of BDNF, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β (Figure 4a-4c, Figure 4e) in insular cortex of DE group statistically increased compared with the Sham group (P<0.05), and level of IL-10 (Figure 4d) was significantly reduced (P<0.05). Meanwhile, as shown in Figure S1, expression levels of BDNF, IL-6, and IL-1β, except TNF-α (Figure 4 f, h, j), were significantly higher. In contrast, the expression level of IL-10 (Figure 4i) was significantly lower in AuV, TeA, Ect of DE group (P<0.05).