GABA(B2) receptor subunit mRNA decreases in the thalamus of monoarthritic animals

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2006

Authors

Ferreira-Gomes J. (Author) FMUP; Neto F.L. (Author) FMUP; Castro-Lopes J.M. (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Brain Research Bulletin

Vol. 71

Pages: 252-258

ISSN: 0361-9230

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 7 Citations

Scopus - 9 Citations

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Health sciences > Neuroscience > Neurobiology

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-FGR

DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2006.09.010

Abstract (EN): Many studies have implicated GABA(B) receptors in pain transmission mechanisms, especially in the spinal cord. In the thalamus, mRNA expression of the GABA(B(1b)) isoform was shown to be regulated in relay nuclei in response to chronic noxious input arising from experimental monoarthritis. GABA(B(1a)) and GABA(B2) mRNA expression was here determined by in situ hybridisation in the brain of control, 2, 4, 7 and 14 days monoarthritic rats, to evaluate whether this expression was regulated by chronic noxious input in thalamic nuclei. mRNA labelling was analysed quantitatively in the ventrobasal complex, posterior, central medial/central lateral and reticular thalamic nuclei; the thalamic visual relay and dentate gyrus were examined for control. No mRNA expression was detected for GABA(B(1a)) in control and monoarthritic animals. Similarly, GABA(B2) mRNA was not found in the reticular nucleus. However, GABA(B2) mRNA expression was observed in the ventrobasal complex, posterior and central medial/central lateral nuclei of control animals. A significant decrease of 42% at 2 days and 27% at 4 days of monoarthritis was observed in the ventrobasal complex contralaterally, when compared with controls, returning to basal levels at 7 days of monoarthritis. In the ipsilateral posterior nucleus, there was a significant decrease of 38% at 2 days of monoarthritis. No significant changes were observed in central medial/central lateral nuclei. The data suggest that GABAB2 mRNA expression in the ventrobasal complex and posterior nucleus is regulated by noxious input and that GABAB receptors might play a role in the plasticity of these relay nuclei during chronic inflammatory pain.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7