Purinergic signalling
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Purinergic signalling · Sep 2007
Modification of neuropathic pain sensation through microglial ATP receptors.
Neuropathic pain that typically develops when peripheral nerves are damaged through surgery, bone compression in cancer, diabetes, or infection is a major factor causing impaired quality of life in millions of people worldwide. Recently, there has been a rapidly growing body of evidence indicating that spinal glia play a critical role in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain. ⋯ It was shown in an animal model of neuropathic pain that microglial P2X(4) and P2X(7) receptors are crucial in pain signaling after peripheral nerve lesion. In this review, we describe the modification of neuropathic pain sensation through microglial P2X(4) and P2X(7), with the possibility of P2Y(6) and P2Y(12) involvement.