Sensory stimuli induce nuclear translocation and phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa B in primary sensory neurons of mice

Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is a transcription factor, which is translocated to the nucleus when activated. Herein, we demonstrate immunohistochemically that electrical, chemical, and thermal stimuli, applied to the skin of mice, all induced nuclear translocation and phosphorylation of NF-κB in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons. The latency of this response was short, with effects observable in as little as 3 min following stimulation. Few nuclear phospho-NF-κB-positive neurons were observed in DRG innervating unstimulated regions. These results suggest somatosensory stimuli quickly induce NF-κB-mediated gene transcription in DRG, and phospho-NF-κB could be a suitable histological marker for activated DRG neurons.

► We applied electrical, chemical or thermal stimuli to the skin of mice.
► All these stimuli induced nuclear translocation of phospho-NF-κB in DRG neurons.
► The response was observable in 3 min following electrical stimulation.
► The response was not detectable in DRG innervating unstimulated regions.