title: AMPA receptor trafficking in inflammation-induced dorsal horn central sensitization.
abstract: Activity-dependent postsynaptic receptor trafficking is critical for long-term synaptic plasticity in the brain, but it is unclear whether this mechanism actually mediates the spinal cord dorsal horn central sensitization (a specific form of synaptic plasticity) that is associated with persistent pain. Recent studies have shown that peripheral inflammation drives changes in α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR) subunit trafficking in the dorsal horn and that such changes contribute to the hypersensitivity that underlies persistent pain. Here, we review current evidence to illustrate how spinal cord AMPARs participate in the dorsal horn central sensitization associated with persistent pain. Understanding these mechanisms may allow the development of novel therapeutic strategies for treating persistent pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA. ytao1@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Yuan-Xiang
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Tao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000502:physiology*; D020671:Posterior Horn Cells / Q000503:physiopathology*; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000502:physiology; D018091:Receptors, AMPA / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D018091:Receptors, AMPA; D018698:Glutamic Acid