Exp Neurobiol.  2018 Apr;27(2):88-93. 10.5607/en.2018.27.2.88.

Electrophysiological Evidence for Functional Astrocytic P2X₃ Receptors in the Mouse Trigeminal Caudal Nucleus

• Lee J
• Bae JY
• Lee CJ
• Bae YC

• KMID: 2410469
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5607/en.2018.27.2.88

Abstract

Recently, we reported that astrocytes in the trigeminal caudal nucleus (Vc) of the brain stem express a purinergic receptor P2X₃, which is involved in the craniofacial pathologic pain. Although we observed protein expression of P2X₃ receptors (P2X₃ Rs) in the astrocyte of the Vc, it is still unclear that astrocyte has functional P2X₃Rs in Vc. To address this issue, we recorded asrtocytic P2X₃Rs by using whole cell voltage-clamp recording in the Vc of the GFAP-GFP mice, which was used as a guide to astrocytes with green fluorescence. While measuring voltage ramp-induced astrocytic membrane current, we found the amplitude of the current was increased when we applied P2-purinoreceptor agonist, α,β-meATP. This increase was blocked by co-application of A317491, P2X₃R antagonist. These results demonstrate that astrocytes in the Vc express functional P2X₃Rs, which might be critical in craniofacial pathologic pain.

Keyword

Electrophysiology; Trigeminal Caudal Nucleus; Astrocytes; Purinergic P2X₃; Pain

MeSH Terms

Animals
Astrocytes
Brain Stem
Electrophysiology
Fluorescence
Membranes
Mice*
Trigeminal Caudal Nucleus*