Microglia P2X4 receptor contributes to central sensitization following recurrent nitroglycerin stimulation.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The mechanism underlying migraine chronification remains unclear. Central sensitization may account for this progression. The microglia P2X4 receptor (P2X4R) plays a pivotal role in the central sensitization of inflammatory and neuropathic pain, but there is no information about P2X4R in migraine. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the precise role of microglia P2X4R in chronic migraine (CM).

METHODS:

We used an animal model with recurrent intermittent administration of nitroglycerin (NTG), which closely mimics CM. NTG-induced basal and acute mechanical hypersensitivity were evaluated using the von Frey filament test. Then, we detected Iba1 immunoreactivity (Iba1-IR) and P2X4R expression in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC). To understand the effect of microglia and P2X4R on central sensitization of CM, we examined whether minocycline, an inhibitor of microglia activation, and 5-BDBD, a P2X4R antagonist, altered NTG-induced mechanical hyperalgesia. In addition, we also evaluated the effect of 5-BDBD on c-Fos and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) expression within the TNC.

RESULTS:

Chronic intermittent administration of NTG resulted in acute and chronic basal mechanical hyperalgesia, accompanied with microglia activation and upregulation of P2X4R expression. Minocycline significantly decreased basal pain hypersensitivity but did not alter acute NTG-induced hyperalgesia. Minocycline also reduced microglia activation. 5-BDBD completely blocked the basal and acute hyperalgesia induced by NTG. This effect was associated with a significant inhibition of the NTG-induced increase in c-Fos protein and CGRP release in the TNC.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our results indicate that blocking microglia activation may have an effect on the prevention of migraine chronification. Moreover, we speculate that the P2X4R may be implicated in the microglia-neuronal signal in the TNC, which contributes to the central sensitization of CM.

• Authors: Ting Long, Wei He, Qi Pan, Shanshan Zhang, Yixin Zhang, Chaoyang Liu, Qing Liu, Guangcheng Qin, Lixue Chen, Jiying Zhou
• Journal: Journal of neuroinflammation (J Neuroinflammation) Vol. 15 Issue 1 Pg. 245 (Aug 30 2018) ISSN: 1742-2094 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 30165876 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• 5-(3-bromophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzofuro(3,2-e)-1,4-diazepin-2-one
• Aif1 protein, mouse
• Benzodiazepinones
• Calcium-Binding Proteins
• Microfilament Proteins
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos
• Purinergic P2X Receptor Antagonists
• Receptors, Purinergic P2X4
• Minocycline
• Nitroglycerin
• Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide

Topics

• Animals
• Benzodiazepinones (pharmacology)
• Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (genetics, metabolism)
• Calcium-Binding Proteins (metabolism)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Gene Expression Regulation (drug effects, genetics)
• Hyperalgesia (etiology, metabolism)
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Microfilament Proteins (metabolism)
• Microglia (drug effects, metabolism)
• Migraine Disorders (chemically induced, complications, pathology)
• Minocycline (pharmacology)
• Nitroglycerin
• Pain Threshold (drug effects, physiology)
• Physical Stimulation (adverse effects)
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos (genetics, metabolism)
• Purinergic P2X Receptor Antagonists (pharmacology)
• Receptors, Purinergic P2X4 (genetics, metabolism)
• Trigeminal Nucleus, Spinal (drug effects, metabolism, pathology)