Nerve fibers in lumbar spine structures and injured spinal roots express the sensory neuron-specific sodium channels SNS/PN3 and NaN/SNS2.

Study Design: This prospective study examined the innervation of lumbar spine in tissues from patients with lower back pain and spine nerve roots from patients with traumatic brachial plexus injuries.

Objectives: To demonstrate the presence of nerve fibers in lumbar spine structures and spine nerve roots, and to determine whether they express the sensory neuron-specific sodium channels SNS/PN3 and NaN/SNS2.

Summary Of Background Data: The anatomic and molecular basis of low back pain and sciatica is poorly understood. Previous studies have demonstrated sensory nerves in the facet joint capsule and prolapsed intervertebral disc, but not in the ligamentum flavum. The voltage-gated sodium channels SNS/PN3 and NaN/SNS2 are expressed by sensory neurone that mediate pain, but their presence in the lumbar spine is unknown.

Methods: Tissue samples of ligamentum flavum (n = 32), facet joint capsule (n = 20), intervertebral disc (n = 15), and spine roots (n = 8) were immunostained with specific antibodies to protein gene product 9.5 (a panneuronal marker), SNS/PN3, and NaN/SNS2.

Results: Protein gene product 9.5 immunoreactive nerve fibers were detected in 72% of the ligamentum flavum specimens and 70% of the facet joint capsule specimens, but in only 20% of the intervertebral disc specimens. The study detected SNS/PN3- and NaN/SNS2-positive fibers, respectively, in 28% and 3% of the ligamentum flavum specimens and 25% and 15% of the facet joint capsule specimens. Numerous SNS/PN3- and NaN/SNS2-positive fibers were found in the acutely injured spine roots, and some were still present in the dorsal roots in the chronic state.

Conclusions: As the findings showed, SNS/PN3- and NaN/SNS2-immunoreactivity is present in a subset of nerve fibers in lumbar spine structures, including ligamentum flavum, and in injured spine roots. Selective SNS/PN3- and NaN/SNS2-blocking agents may provide new therapy for back pain and sciatica.