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Published on: January 21, 2020
P2 receptors and chronic pain
1Department of Molecular and System Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan, inoue@phar.kyushu-u.ac.jp.
Purinergic Signalling
|April 12, 2008
Summary
Extracellular ATP and its receptors play a key role in chronic pain. Targeting specific ATP receptors, like P2X₄, may offer new treatments for severe neuropathic and inflammatory pain.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pain Research
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Extracellular ATP and nucleotides are crucial in pain signaling.
- Chronic pain conditions, like neuropathic pain, involve activated ATP receptor systems.
- Neuropathic pain results from nerve injury and is often treatment-resistant.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of ATP receptors, specifically P2X₄, P2X₃, and P2X₇, in neuropathic and inflammatory pain.
- To highlight the significance of P2X₄ receptors in spinal cord microglia following nerve injury.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on ATP receptors and chronic pain.
- Analysis of studies investigating P2X₄ receptor expression and function in neuropathic pain models.
Main Results:
- P2X₄ receptor expression increases in spinal microglia after peripheral nerve injury.
- Pharmacological blockade and molecular suppression of P2X₄ receptors reduce neuropathic pain behaviors.
Conclusions:
- ATP receptors, particularly P2X₄, are key players in neuropathic and inflammatory pain.
- Targeting these ATP receptors presents a promising avenue for developing novel chronic pain management strategies.
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