Upregulation of forebrain NMDA NR2B receptors contributes to behavioral sensitization after inflammation.
Transgenic overexpression of NMDA NR2B receptors in forebrain regions increased behavioral responses to persistent inflammatory pain. However, it is not known whether inflammation leads to the upregulation of NR2B receptors in these regions. Here, we show that peripheral inflammation increased the expression of NMDA NR2B receptors and NR2B receptor-mediated synaptic currents in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). In freely moving mice, the increase in NR2B receptors after inflammation contributed to enhanced NMDA receptor-mediated responses in the ACC. Inhibition of NR2B receptors in the ACC selectively reduced behavioral sensitization related to inflammation. Our results demonstrate that the upregulation of NR2B receptors in the ACC contributes to behavioral sensitization caused by inflammation.
Wu
Long-Jun
LJ
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto Centre for the Study of Pain, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada.
Toyoda
Hiroki
H
Zhao
Ming-Gao
MG
Lee
Yong-Seok
YS
Tang
Jianrong
J
Ko
Shanelle W
SW
Jia
Yong Heng
YH
Shum
Fanny W F
FW
Zerbinatti
Celina V
CV
Bu
Guojun
G
Wei
Feng
F
Xu
Tian-Le
TL
Muglia
Louis J
LJ
Chen
Zhou-Feng
ZF
Auberson
Yves P
YP
Kaang
Bong-Kiun
BK
Zhuo
Min
M
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D019706:Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant; D006179:Gyrus Cinguli / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006930:Hyperalgesia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000503:physiopathology; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000378:metabolism*; D013569:Synapses; D009435:Synaptic Transmission; D015854:Up-Regulation
C121001:NR2B NMDA receptor; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant