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mGluR5 regulates inflammatory pain and pain aversion of CFA mice by mediating ERK/PI3K signaling pathway

Zhuang Tianxin1, Huang Zhongyu1, Zhang Weishan2

  • 1School of Health, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Yunfun, China.

Neuroscience Letters
|May 31, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) regulates inflammatory pain and aversion in mice. This regulation occurs via the ERK/PI3K signaling pathway, offering potential therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pain Research
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Inflammatory pain and associated aversions are significant clinical concerns.
  • The basolateral amygdala (BLA) plays a crucial role in processing pain and emotional responses.
  • The involvement of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) in the BLA within inflammatory pain pathways requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of mGluR5 in the BLA in regulating inflammatory pain and pain aversion in a mouse model.
  • To determine if the ERK/PI3K signaling pathway mediates the effects of mGluR5 in the BLA on pain behaviors.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammatory pain model in male C57BL/6 mice.
  • Administered mGluR5 agonist (DHPG) or antagonist (MTEP) via stereotaxic BLA injections.
  • Assessed pain behaviors and aversive emotions over 14 days.
  • Analyzed BLA tissue using immunofluorescence and Western blot for mGluR5, PI3K, p-PI3K, and ERK1/2 expression.

Main Results:

  • CFA administration significantly increased the expression of p-PI3K, mGluR5, and ERK1/2 in the BLA.
  • Activation of mGluR5 with DHPG enhanced p-PI3K and ERK1/2 expression in the BLA of CFA mice.
  • Antagonism of mGluR5 with MTEP reversed these expression changes.

Conclusions:

  • mGluR5 in the BLA is critically involved in regulating inflammatory pain and pain aversion.
  • The ERK/PI3K signaling pathway acts as a key mediator for mGluR5's effects on pain and aversion in the BLA.
  • Targeting mGluR5 within the BLA may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for managing inflammatory pain and associated affective disorders.
Keywords:
Basolateral amygdalaERKInflammatory painPI3KPain aversion

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