title: Disruption of the P2X7 purinoceptor gene abolishes chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain.
abstract: The P2X(7) purinoceptor is a ligand-gated cation channel, expressed predominantly by cells of immune origin, with a unique phenotype which includes release of biologically active inflammatory cytokine, interleukin (IL)-1beta following activation, and unique ion channel biophysics observed only in this receptor family. Here we demonstrate that in mice lacking this receptor, inflammatory (in an adjuvant-induced model) and neuropathic (in a partial nerve ligation model) hypersensitivity is completely absent to both mechanical and thermal stimuli, whilst normal nociceptive processing is preserved. The knockout animals were unimpaired in their ability to produce mRNA for pro-IL-1beta, and cytometric analysis of paw and systemic cytokines from knockout and wild-type animals following adjuvant insult suggests a selective effect of the gene deletion on release of IL-1beta and IL-10, with systemic reductions in adjuvant-induced increases in IL-6 and MCP-1. In addition, we show that this receptor is upregulated in human dorsal root ganglia and injured nerves obtained from chronic neuropathic pain patients. We hypothesise that the P2X(7) receptor, via regulation of mature IL-1beta production, plays a common upstream transductional role in the development of pain of neuropathic and inflammatory origin. Drugs which block this target may have the potential to deliver broad-spectrum analgesia.
authors.affiliation: Pain Research, N&GI CEDD, GlaxoSmithKline, Third Avenue, Harlow, Essex CM19 5AW, UK Neuro-Cell Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, Third Avenue, Harlow CM19 5AW, UK Glaxo Institute of Applied Pharmacology, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 5DH, UK Peripheral Neuropathy Unit, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK Peripheral Nerve Injury Unit, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore HA7 4LP, UK Glaxo Institute of Molecular Biology, 14 Chemin Aulx, Plan Les Ouates, Geneva CH-1228, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Iain P
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Chessell
authors.forename: Jonathan P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Hatcher
authors.forename: Chas
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bountra
authors.forename: Anton D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Michel
authors.forename: Jane P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Egerton
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Murfin
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: Wendy L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Peck
authors.forename: Caroline B A
authors.initials: CBA
authors.lastname: Grahames
authors.forename: Maria Anna
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Casula
authors.forename: Yiangos
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yiangou
authors.forename: Rolfe
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Birch
authors.forename: Praveen
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Anand
authors.forename: Gary N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Buell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002452:Cell Count; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000166:cytology; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006930:Hyperalgesia / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000235:genetics; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000502:physiology; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000235:genetics; D018048:Receptors, Purinergic P2 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D058486:Receptors, Purinergic P2X7
chemical_list: D007375:Interleukin-1; C546468:P2RX7 protein, human; C546469:P2rx7 protein, mouse; D011498:Protein Precursors; D018048:Receptors, Purinergic P2; D058486:Receptors, Purinergic P2X7; C043830:interleukin 1 precursor