Mouse DRG RNA-Seq

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a neoplasia of B plasma cells that often induces bone pain. However, the mechanisms underlying myeloma-induced bone (MIBP) pain are mostly unknown. Using a localized MM mouse model, we investigated MM induced gene expression changes in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) innervating the MM-bearing bone and found alterations in pathways associated with cell cycle, immune response and neuronal signalling. The MM transcriptional signature was consistent with metastatic MM infiltration to the DRG, a never-before described feature of the disease that we further demonstrated histologically. In the DRG, MM cells caused loss of vascularization and neuronal injury, which may contribute to late-stage MIBP. Overall design: RNA-Seq of DRG tissue from 9 MM and 9 SHAM mice