title: P2X4 purinoceptor signaling in chronic pain.
abstract: ATP, acting via P2 purinergic receptors, is a known mediator of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. There is increasing evidence that the ATP-gated P2X4 receptor (P2X4R) subtype is a locus through which activity of spinal microglia and peripheral macrophages instigate pain hypersensitivity caused by inflammation or by injury to a peripheral nerve. The present article highlights the recent advances in our understanding of microglia-neuron interactions in neuropathic pain by focusing on the signaling and regulation of the P2X4R. We will also develop a framework for understanding converging lines of evidence for involvement of P2X4Rs expressed on macrophages in peripheral inflammatory pain.
authors.affiliation: Program in Neurosciences & Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto Centre for the Study of Pain, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X8, Canada.
authors.forename: Tuan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Trang
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Salter
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D017628:Microglia / Q000473:pathology; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000473:pathology; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology; D058848:Receptors, Purinergic P2X4 / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D058848:Receptors, Purinergic P2X4; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate