Transient Receptor Potential Channels in neuropathic pain.
Neuropathic pain caused by disease or dysfunction of the nervous system is one of the most difficult pain conditions to treat. Symptoms include a hypersensitivity to mechanical and thermal stimuli, processed by specialized nociceptors that constitute the first line of defence of the somatosensory system. The detection of these stimuli depends on the TRP ion channel family, which activates upon damaging pressure, extreme temperature, or toxic endogenous and exogenous chemicals. This review will summarize the current knowledge of the contribution of TRP channels, particularly the thermosensitive TRP, including TRPV1, TRPA1 and TRPM8 channels that play a central role in the sensitization of nociceptive transduction. We will discuss the pharmacology of these receptors and their relative success in preclinical and clinical studies.
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Inflammation Research Network, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Lilian
L
Basso
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Inflammation Research Network, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Electronic address: altier@ucalgary.ca.
Christophe
C
Altier
D000700:Analgesics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000074025:TRPA1 Cation Channel; D050053:TRPM Cation Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D050916:TRPV Cation Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D013696:Temperature; D050051:Transient Receptor Potential Channels / Q000378:metabolism*
D000700:Analgesics; D015220:Calcium Channels; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D000074025:TRPA1 Cation Channel; C473350:TRPA1 protein, human; D050053:TRPM Cation Channels; C425966:TRPM8 protein, human; D050916:TRPV Cation Channels; C494482:TRPV1 protein, human; D050051:Transient Receptor Potential Channels