Complex regulation of the regulator of synaptic plasticity histone deacetylase 2 in the rodent dorsal horn after peripheral injury

Histone deacetylases (HDACs), HDAC2 in particular, have been shown to regulate various forms of learning and memory. Since cognitive processes share mechanisms with spinal nociceptive signalling, we decided to investigate the HDAC2 expression in the dorsal horn after peripheral injury. Using immunohistochemistry, we found that spinal HDAC2 was mainly seen in neurons and astrocytes, with neuronal expression in naïve tissue 2.6 times greater than that in astrocytes. Cysteine (S)‐nitrosylation of HDAC2 releases HDAC2 gene silencing and is controlled by nitric oxide (NO). A duration of 48 h after intraplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant, there was an ipsilateral increase in the most important NO‐producing enzyme in pain states, nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), accompanied by an increase in HDAC2 S‐nitrosylation. Moreover, a subset of nNOS‐positive neurons expressed cFos, a known target of HDAC2, suggesting that derepression of cFos expression following HDAC2 S‐nitrosylation might occur after noxious stimulation. We saw no change in global HDAC2 expression in both short‐ and long‐term pain states. However, HDAC2 was increased in astrocytes 7 days after neuropathic injury suggesting that HDAC2 might inhibit astrocytic gene expression in neuropathic pain states. All together, our results indicate that the epigenetic regulation of transcriptional programmes in the dorsal horn after injury is cell specific. Moreover, the prominent role of NO in persistent pain states suggests that HDAC2 S‐nitrosylation could play a crucial role in the regulation of gene expression leading to hypersensitivity. [Image: see text] Our manuscript describes for the first time the regulation of the memory regulator histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) in the superficial dorsal horn of adult rats following peripheral injury. Our cell‐specific approach has revealed a complex pattern of expression of spinal HDAC2 that depends on the injury and the cell type, suggesting a sophisticated regulation of gene expression by HDAC2.