Involvement of N-methyl-D-aspartate-type glutamate receptor epsilon1 and epsilon4 subunits in tonic inflammatory pain and neuropathic pain

Neuroreport. 2005 Oct 17;16(15):1667-70. doi: 10.1097/01.wnr.0000183328.05994.9e.

Abstract

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors play an important role in nociceptive transmissions in various types of pain. In this study, we investigated the pain-related response in mice lacking the N-methyl-D-aspartate-type glutamate receptor epsilon1 or epsilon4 subunit in the formalin test and in the partial sciatic nerve ligation-induced neuropathic pain model. The second tonic inflammatory phase response in the formalin test was significantly reduced in glutamate receptor epsilon1 knockout epsilon1(-/-) mice, but not in glutamate receptor epsilon4(-/-) when compared with wild-type mice. In the partial sciatic nerve ligation model, glutamate receptor epsilon1(-/-) mice exhibited no difference in mechanical allodynia compared with wild-type mice. Glutamate receptor epsilon4(-/-) mice, however, failed to develop allodynia after the nerve ligation. These results suggest that glutamate receptor epsilon1 and epsilon4 subunits are involved in tonic inflammatory pain and neuropathic allodynia, respectively.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Formaldehyde
  • Inflammation / complications
  • Inflammation / physiopathology*
  • Ligation
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Pain / etiology
  • Pain / physiopathology*
  • Pain Measurement / drug effects
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / complications
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Physical Stimulation
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / genetics
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / physiology*
  • Sciatic Neuropathy / physiopathology

Substances

  • NR2A NMDA receptor
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Formaldehyde