Upregulation of Cav3.2 T-type calcium channels in adjacent intact L4 dorsal root ganglion neurons in neuropathic pain rats with L5 spinal nerve ligation. (May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Qing-Ying; Chen, Wen; Cui, Shuang; Liao, Fei-Fei; Yi, Ming; Liu, Feng-Yu; Wan, You
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience research. Volume 142(2019)
• Page Start: 30
• Page End: 37
• Publication Date: 2019-05
• Subjects: Neuropathic pain -- Cav3.2 T-type calcium channel -- Dorsal root ganglion -- Spinal nerve ligation; Neurosciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Research -- Japan -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Neurosciences -- Recherche -- Japon -- Périodiques; Neurosciences -- Research; Japan; Periodicals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2018.04.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0168-0102

Abstract

Highlights: Total protein expression of Cav 3.2 increased in L4 DRG neurons in L5 SNL rats. Membrane protein expression of Cav 3.2 increased in L4 DRG neurons after L5 SNL. T-type calcium currents upregulated in L4 DRG neurons in L5 SNL rats. Abstract: Besides the injured peripheral dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, the adjacent intact DRG neurons also have important roles in neuropathic pain. Ion channels including Cav 3.2 T-type calcium channel in the DRG neurons are important in the development of neuropathic pain. In the present study, we aimed to examine the expression of Cav 3.2 T-type calcium channels in the intact DRG neurons in neuropathic pain. A neuropathic pain model of rat with lumbar 5 (L5) spinal nerve ligation (SNL) was established, in which the L4 DRG was separated from the axotomized L5 DRG, and the molecular, morphological and electrophysiological changes of Cav 3.2 T-type calcium channels in L4 DRG neurons were investigated. Western blotting showed that total and membrane protein levels of Cav 3.2 in L4 DRG neurons increased, and voltage-dependent patch clamp recordings revealed an increased T-type current density with a curve shift to the left in steady-state activation in the acutely isolated L4 DRG neurons in neuropathic pain rats. Immunofluorescent staining further showed that the membrane expression of Cav 3.2 increased in CGRP-, IB4-positive small neurons and NF200-positive large ones. In conclusion, the membrane expression and the function of Cav 3.2 T-type calcium channels are increased in the intact L4 DRG neurons in neuropathic pain rats with peripheral nerve injury like SNL.