Persistent inflammation increases GABA-induced depolarization of rat cutaneous dorsal root ganglion neurons in vitro

Persistent inflammation is associated with a shift in spinal GABAA signaling from inhibition to excitation such that GABAA-receptor activation contributes to inflammatory hyperalgesia. We tested the hypothesis that the primary afferent is the site of the persistent inflammation-induced shift in GABAA signaling which is due to a Na+-K+-Cl−-co-transporter (NKCC1)-dependent depolarization of the GABAA current equilibrium potential (EGABA). Acutely dissociated retrogradely labeled cutaneous dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons from naïve and inflamed (3 days after a subcutaneous injection of complete Freund's adjuvant) adult male rats were studied with Ca2+ imaging, western blot and gramicidin-perforated patch recording. GABA evoked a Ca2+ transient in a subpopulation of small- to medium-diameter capsaicin-sensitive cutaneous neurons. Inflammation was associated with a significant increase in the magnitude of GABA-induced depolarization as well as the percentage of neurons in which GABA evoked a Ca2+ transient. There was no detectable change in NKCC1 protein or phosphoprotein at the whole ganglia level. Furthermore, the increase in excitatory response was comparable in both HEPES- and HCO3--buffered solutions, but was only associated with a depolarization of EGABA in HCO3--based solution. In contrast, under both recording conditions, the excitatory response was associated with an increase in GABAA current density, a decrease in low threshold K+ current density, and resting membrane potential depolarization. Our results suggest that increasing K+ conductance in afferents innervating a site of persistent inflammation may have greater efficacy in the inhibition of inflammatory hyperalgesia than attempting to drive a hyperpolarizing shift in EGABA.

► There is a persistent inflammation-induced shift in spinal GABAA signaling. ► This is thought to be due to an NKCC1-dependent depolarization of EGABA in nociceptive afferents. ► Our results suggest other mechanisms contribute to the shift. ► These include a depolarization of Vrest, an increase in IGABA and a decrease in low threshold IK. ► A HCO3--dependent exchanger also plays an important role in the determination of EGABA.