Glia
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Recent studies have indicated an important role of ATP receptors in spinal microglia, such as P2Y12 or P2Y13, in the development of chronic pain. However, intracellular signaling cascade of these receptors have not been clearly elucidated. We found that intrathecal injection of 2-(methylthio)adenosine 5'-diphosphate (2Me-SADP) induced mechanical hypersensitivity and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation in the spinal cord. ⋯ In contrast these treatments had no effect on the number of Iba1-positive cells in the nerve injury model. Collectively, our results have demonstrated roles of ROCK in the spinal microglia that is involved in p38 MAPK activation and the morphological changes. Inhibition of ROCK signaling may offer a novel target for the development of a neuropathic pain treatment.