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- Title
Nociceptive-specific activation of ERK in spinal neurons contributes to pain hypersensitivity.
- Authors
Ji, Ru-Rong; Baba, Hiroshi; Brenner, Gary J.; Woolf, Clifford J.
- Abstract
We investigated the involvement of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK) within spinal neurons in producing pain hypersensitivity. Within a minute of an intense noxious peripheral or Cfiber electrical stimulus, many phosphoERK-positive neurons were observed, most predominantly in lamina I and IIo of the ipsilateral dorsal horn. This staining was intensity and NMDA receptor dependent. Low-intensity stimuli or A-fiber input had no effect. Inhibition of ERK phosphorylation by a MEK inhibitor reduced the second phase of formalin-induced pain behavior, a measure of spinal neuron sensitization. ERK signaling within the spinal cord is therefore involved in generating pain hypersensitivity. Because of its rapid activation, this effect probably involves regulation of neuronal excitability without changes in transcription.
- Subjects
PROTEIN kinases; NEURONS; PAIN
- Publication
Nature Neuroscience, 1999, Vol 2, Issue 12, p1114
- ISSN
1097-6256
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1038/16040