Oxytocin-Induced Antinociception in the Spinal Cord is Mediated by a Subpopulation of Glutamatergic Neurons in Lamina I-II Which Amplify GABAergic Inhibition

Background: Recent evidence suggests that oxytocin (OT), secreted in the superficial spinal cord dorsal horn by descending axons of paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) neurons, produces antinociception and analgesia. The spinal mechanism of OT is, however, still unclear and requires further i...

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Published in:Molecular pain 2008-05, Vol.4 (1), p.19-19
Main Authors: Breton, Jean-Didier, Veinante, Pierre, Uhl-Bronner, Sandra, Vergnano, Angela Maria, Freund-Mercier, Marie José, Schlichter, Rémy, Poisbeau, Pierrick
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analgesia - methods
Animals
Control
Dosage and administration
Electrophysiology
GABA Antagonists
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
Gene expression
Genetic aspects
Glutamic Acid
Health aspects
Life Sciences
Neurons - physiology
Neurons and Cognition
Nociceptors
Oxytocin
Oxytocin - physiology
Oxytocin - secretion
Pain - drug therapy
Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus - secretion
Physiological aspects
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Spinal Cord - cytology
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Summary:Background: Recent evidence suggests that oxytocin (OT), secreted in the superficial spinal cord dorsal horn by descending axons of paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) neurons, produces antinociception and analgesia. The spinal mechanism of OT is, however, still unclear and requires further investigation. We have used patch clamp recording of lamina II neurons in spinal cord slices and immunocytochemistry in order to identify PVN-activated neurons in the superficial layers of the spinal cord and attempted to determine how this neuronal population may lead to OT-mediated antinociception. Results: We show that OT released during PVN stimulation specifically activates a subpopulation of lamina II glutamatergic interneurons which are localized in the most superficial layers of the dorsal horn of the spinal cord (lamina I-II). This OT-specific stimulation of glutamatergic neurons allows the recruitment of all GABAergic interneurons in lamina II which produces a generalized elevation of local inhibition, a phenomenon which might explain the reduction of incoming Aδ and C primary afferent-mediated sensory messages. Conclusion: Our results obtained in lamina II of the spinal cord provide the first clear evidence of a specific local neuronal network that is activated by OT release to induce antinociception. This OT-specific pathway might represent a novel and interesting therapeutic target for the management of neuropathic and inflammatory pain.
ISSN:1744-8069
1744-8069
DOI:10.1186/1744-8069-4-19