The role of actin filaments in
allodynia induced by chronic compression of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) (CCD) and the effects of microfilaments dynamics on transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) were investigated in this study. Anti-microfilaments agents resulted in dose-dependent and partial reduction in CCD-induced
allodynia, which could be prevented by the prior stabilizer administration. In association with the reduction of
allodynia by microfilaments' disruption, TRPV4-mediated currents were inhibited by disruptors. In addition, plasma membrane-associated TRPV4 was also depressed by disruptors. The time courses for the changes of TRPV4 activity and distribution in vitro were similar to the time courses for the attenuation of
allodynia in vivo.
Phalloidin, the stabilizer of microfilaments, did not affect the
allodynia in CCD rats. However,
phalloidin resulted in reduction and delay of TRPV4 current, which was not consistent with the effect of
phalloidin on CCD-induced
allodynia. In accordance with the inhibition of TRPV4 activity, the reversal potentials shifted toward more positive voltages and the plasma membrane-associated TRPV4 was depressed by
phalloidin. In conclusion, intact actin filaments were necessary for CCD-induced
allodynia, and disruptors of microfilaments attenuated CCD-induced
allodynia. However, stabilizer of actin filaments did not affect
allodynia in CCD rats. Further, TRPV4 contributed to the disruptors-induced attenuation of
allodynia in CCD rats.