title: Activation of p38 and p42/44 MAP kinase in neuropathic pain: involvement of VPAC2 and NK2 receptors and mediation by spinal glia.
abstract: Activation of intracellular signaling pathways involving p38 and p42/44 MAP kinases may contribute importantly to synaptic plasticity underlying spinal neuronal sensitization. Inhibitors of p38 or p42/44 pathways moderately attenuated responses of dorsal horn neurons evoked by mustard oil but not brush and alleviated the behavioral reflex sensitization seen following nerve injury. Activation of p38 and p42/44 MAP kinases in spinal cord ipsilateral to constriction injury was reduced by antagonists of NMDA, VPAC2 and NK2 (but not related) receptors, the glial inhibitor propentofylline and inhibitors of TNF-alpha. A VPAC2 receptor agonist enhanced p38 phosphorylation and caused behavioral reflex sensitization in naïve animals that could be blocked by co-administration of p38 inhibitor. Conversely, an NK2 receptor agonist activated p42/44 and caused behavioral sensitization that could be prevented by co-administration of p42/44 inhibitor. Thus, spinal p38 and p42/44 MAP kinases are activated in neuropathic pain states by mechanisms involving VPAC2, NK2, NMDA receptors and glial cytokine production.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Neuroscience, Division of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, EH9 1QH, UK.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Garry
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Delaney
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Blackburn-Munro
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dickinson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moss
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nakalembe
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rosie
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Robberecht
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Fleetwood-Walker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000494:pharmacology; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D020671:Posterior Horn Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018041:Receptors, Neurokinin-2 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D051239:Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, Type II / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D014970:Xanthines / Q000494:pharmacology; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D018041:Receptors, Neurokinin-2; D051239:Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, Type II; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D014970:Xanthines; C032114:propentofylline; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases