Serotonin receptor 5-HT2B mediates serotonin-induced mechanical hyperalgesia

J Neurosci. 2011 Jan 26;31(4):1410-8. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4682-10.2011.

Abstract

Serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] released from mast cells or platelets in peripheral tissues is one of the important inflammatory mediators in pain and hyperalgesia. The involvement of 5-HT in pain is complex because it could inhibit or facilitate nociceptive transmission, reflecting the presence of multiple 5-HT subtype receptors on peripheral and central nociceptors. The present study aimed to investigate the involvement of 5-HT(2B) in 5-HT-induced pain and whether the subtype exists in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Injecting the 5-HT or 5-HT(2) agonist in hindpaws of mice induced significant hyperalgesia to mechanical stimuli, which was inhibited by the 5-HT(2B/2C) antagonist but not by 5-HT(1A), 5-HT(2A), or 5-HT(3A) antagonists. Therefore, 5-HT(2B) or 5-HT(2C) may be involved in 5-HT-induced mechanical hyperalgesia. The 5-HT(2B/2C) antagonist also blocked 5-HT-induced transient [Ca(2+)] signaling in DRG neurons. All subtypes of 5-HT receptors except 5-HT(2C) and 5-HT(6) are present in DRGs. In situ hybridization also demonstrated 5-HT(2B) mainly expressed in small- to medium-diameter DRG neurons that respond to pain. Likely, 5-HT(2B) mediates 5-HT-induced mechanical hyperalgesia in mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium Signaling / drug effects
  • Cell Line
  • Ganglia, Spinal / metabolism
  • Hot Temperature
  • Humans
  • Hyperalgesia / physiopathology*
  • Indoles / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Nociceptors / metabolism
  • Pyridines / pharmacology
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2B / physiology*
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C / metabolism
  • Serotonin / pharmacology
  • Serotonin / physiology*
  • Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Touch

Substances

  • Indoles
  • Pyridines
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2B
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C
  • Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists
  • Serotonin
  • SB 206553