Faculty Collaboration Database

Contribution of calcium channel subtypes to the intracellular calcium signal in sensory neurons: the effect of injury. Anesthesiology 2007 Jul;107(1):117-27

Date

06/23/2007

Pubmed ID

17585223

Pubmed Central ID

PMC3720140

DOI

10.1097/01.anes.0000267511.21864.93

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-34250835777 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   26 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although the activation-induced intracellular Ca signal is disrupted by sensory neuron injury, the contribution of specific Ca channel subtypes is unknown.

METHODS: Transients in dissociated rat dorsal root ganglion neurons were recorded using fura-2 microfluorometry. Neurons from control rats and from neuropathic animals after spinal nerve ligation were activated either by elevated bath K or by field stimulation. Transients were compared before and after application of selective blockers of voltage-activated Ca channel subtypes.

RESULTS: Transient amplitude and area were decreased by blockade of the L-type channel, particularly during sustained K stimulation. Significant contributions to the Ca transient are attributable to the N-, P/Q-, and R-type channels, especially in small neurons. Results for T-type blockade varied widely between cells. After injury, transients lost sensitivity to N-type and R-type blockers in axotomized small neurons, whereas adjacent small neurons showed decreased responses to blockers of R-type channels. Axotomized large neurons were less sensitive to blockade of N- and P/Q-type channels. After injury, neurons adjacent to axotomy show decreased sensitivity of K-induced transients to L-type blockade but increased sensitivity during field stimulation.

CONCLUSIONS: All high-voltage-activated Ca current subtypes contribute to Ca transients in sensory neurons, although the L-type channel contributes predominantly during prolonged activation. Injury shifts the relative contribution of various Ca channel subtypes to the intracellular Ca transient induced by neuronal activation. Because this effect is cell-size specific, selective therapies might potentially be devised to differentially alter excitability of nociceptive and low-threshold sensory neurons.

Author List

Fuchs A, Rigaud M, Sarantopoulos CD, Filip P, Hogan QH

Author

Quinn H. Hogan MD Professor in the Anesthesiology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Animals
Behavior, Animal
Calcium Channel Blockers
Calcium Channels
Calcium Signaling
Cell Separation
Cell Size
Cells, Cultured
Cytophotometry
Electrophysiology
Ganglia, Spinal
Hyperalgesia
Ligation
Male
Nerve Fibers
Neurons, Afferent
Peripheral Nerve Injuries
Potassium Channels
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Spinal Nerves
Wallerian Degeneration