| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4319013 | Brain Research Bulletin | 2012 | 7 Pages |
Neuropathic pain is caused by the peripheral or central nervous system structure damage or dysfunction. VEGF is involved in nociception and inflammation. VEGF may target VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) on the surface of neurons. P2X2/3 receptors play a crucial role in facilitating pain transmission at the spinal sites. Chronic constriction injury (CCI) rats were used as neuropathic pain model. Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into sham group, anti-recombinant VEGF antibody group with phosphate-buffer saline (anti-rVEGF + PBS group), CCI rats treated with phosphate-buffer saline group (CCI + PBS group) and CCI rats treated with anti-recombinant VEGF antibody group (CCI + anti-rVEGF group). The expressions of VEGFR-2, P2X2 and P2X3 protein in spinal dorsal horn (SDH) were detected by immunohistochemistry, double-label immunofluorescence and western blotting. The protein levels of VEGFR-2, P2X2 and P2X3 in L4/5 SDH of CCI + PBS group were higher than those in sham group. VEGFR-2 and P2X2 or P2X3 receptors were co-expressed in the cytoplasm and surface membranes of SDH. Anti-rVEGF treatment in CCI rats reduced the expression of VEGFR-2 and P2X2/3 receptors in L4/5 SDH compared with those in CCI + PBS group. Therefore, VEGF may activate VEGFR-2 to participate the process of neuropathic pain. Anti-rVEGF treatment in CCI rats reduced the expression of VEGFR-2 and inhibited the transmission of neuropathic pain in L4/5 SDH via decreasing the expression of P2X2/3. There is a cross-potentiation between VEGFR-2 and P2X2/3 receptors in neuropathic pain state.
► VEGF activate VEGFR-2 to participate the process of neuropathic pain. ► Anti-rVEGF treatment decreased the expression VEGFR-2 and P2X2/3. ► A cross-potentiation between VEGFR-2 and P2X2/3 in neuropathic pain state.
