ATP receptors in pain sensation

Abstract

We reported that activation of P2X2/3 heteromeric channels in Aδ-DRG neurons causes tactile allodynia and activation of P2X3 in C-fiber causes nocifensive behavior. We also found that tactile allodynia under the chronic pain state requires an activation of P2X4 ionotropic ATP receptor and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in spinal microglia.