A type-5 metabotropic glutamate receptor-perineuronal net axis shapes the function of cortical GABAergic interneurons in chronic pain

Bibliographic Details
Title: A type-5 metabotropic glutamate receptor-perineuronal net axis shapes the function of cortical GABAergic interneurons in chronic pain
Authors: Giada Mascio, Ferdinando Nicoletti, Giuseppe Battaglia, Serena Notartomaso
Source: Journal of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Critical Care, Vol 5, Iss 1, Pp 1-7 (2025)
Publisher Information: BMC, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Collection: LCC:Anesthesiology
LCC:Medical emergencies. Critical care. Intensive care. First aid
Subject Terms: Pain, Perineuronal nets, Metabotropic glutamate receptors 5, Anesthesiology, RD78.3-87.3, Medical emergencies. Critical care. Intensive care. First aid, RC86-88.9
More Details: Abstract Parvalbumin-positive (PV+) interneurons (basket and chandelier cells) regulate the firing rate of pyramidal neurons in the cerebral cortex and play a key role in the generation of network oscillations in the cerebral cortex. A growing body of evidence suggest that cortical PV+ interneurons become overactive in chronic pain and contribute to nociceptive sensitization by inhibiting a top-down analgesic pathway. Here, we provide further support to this hypothesis showing that intracortical infusion of the GABA A receptor antagonist, bicuculline, caused analgesia in a mouse model of chronic inflammatory pain, although it reduced pain thresholds in healthy mice. We propose that mGlu5 metabotropic glutamate receptors and perineuronal nets (PNNs) shape the activity of PV+ interneurons in chronic pain, generating a form of maladaptive plasticity that enhances behavioural pain responses. mGlu5 receptors might be locally targeted by drugs activated by light delivered in cortical regions of the pain matrix, whereas the density of PNNs enwrapping PV+ interneurons might be reduced by local activation of PNN-degrading enzyme, such as type-9 matrix metalloproteinase. These strategies, which may require invasive treatments, might be beneficial in the management of severe pain which is refractory to conventional pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2731-3786
Relation: https://doaj.org/toc/2731-3786
DOI: 10.1186/s44158-025-00228-z
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/f18efa86edad4567a2d9ec6ff54bf40e
Accession Number: edsdoj.f18efa86edad4567a2d9ec6ff54bf40e
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:27313786
DOI:10.1186/s44158-025-00228-z
Published in:Journal of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Critical Care
Language:English