T-cell infiltration after chronic constriction injury of mouse sciatic nerve is associated with interleukin-17 expression and secondary macrophage recruitment

Aims: Cytokine networks are involved in adaptive responses after peripheral nervous system injury. While it is well established that macrophages play a decisive role in nerve degeneration after chronic constriction injury (CCI) the role of T-cells is not yet well defined. Interleukin (IL)-17 is a novel proinflammatory cytokine produced by activated T-cells, but not macrophages. Objectives: In the present study, we investigated the role of T-cells and the T-cell derived cytokine IL-17 in CCI, an animal model for neuropathic pain. Materials and Methods: Wildytpe (WT) and RAG-1-/- (KO) mice, which lack functional T…