Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor is a key mediator in inflammatory and arthritic pain

Abstract

Objectives: Better therapies are needed for inflammatory pain. In arthritis the relationship between joint pain, inflammation and damage is unclear. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is important for the progression of a number of inflammatory/autoimmune conditions including arthritis; clinical trials targeting its action in rheumatoid arthritis are underway. However, its contribution to inflammatory and arthritic pain is unknown. The aims of this study were to determine whether GM-CSF controls inflammatory and/or arthritic pain. Methods: A model of inflammatory pain (complete Freund's adjuvant footpad), as well as two inflammatory arthritis models, were induced in GM..