Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026

The Sciatic Nerve Cuffing Model of Neuropathic Pain in Mice
Published on: July 16, 2014
Lysophosphatidic acid as the initiator of neuropathic pain
1Division of Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Japan. ueda@nagasaki-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
The injury-induced intense stimulation of spinal cord neurons causes lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) biosynthesis. LPA(1) receptor activation causes demyelination and sprouting of dorsal root fibers, leading to an induction of synaptic reorganization underlying allodynia, in which innocuous (tactile) stimuli cause intense pain. The LPA(1) signal also initiates the up-regulation of Ca(v)α2δ1 in dorsal root ganglion and PKCγ in the dorsal horn, underlying mechanisms for characteristic neuropathic hyperalgesia in myelinated sensory (A-type) fibers. On the other hand, the LPA(3) receptor mediates microglia activation at the early stage after nerve injury and LPA-induced LPA biosynthesis. Thus, both the LPA(1) and LPA(3) receptors play key roles in the initiation step using a feed-forward system for neuropathic pain.
Related Concept Videos
Nociception
Analgesia and Pain Management
Local Anesthetics: Mechanism of Action
Local anesthetics are amphiphilic molecules consisting of a hydrophobic aromatic part linked to a hydrophilic group by an ester or amide linkage. They are weak bases and are usually available as salts, which increases their solubility and stability. Once administered, LAs exist in the body either...
Pain
IP3/DAG Signaling Pathway
Local Anesthetics: Differential Sensitivity of Nerve Fibers
