CD9 as a Key Regulator of B and T Cell-Mediated Neuropathic Pain Following Spinal Cord Injury

CD9 expression increases both in perivascular and immune cells at 7 days post-injury (dpi). Functional analysis of CD9 KO mice showed a worst locomotor recovery, but a protective effect for allodynia. This phenotype correlated with changes in cytokine levels associated with B and T cells. Given that at 7 dpi is when lymphocytes (B and T cells) infiltrate the injured spinal cord, we hypothesise that CD9, through its expression in pericytes and in immune cells, particularly in B and T cells, will influence thermal allodynia, therefore impacting on neuropathic pain development after injury.