[HTML][HTML] BK channels in microglia are required for morphine-induced hyperalgesia

Y Hayashi, S Morinaga, J Zhang, Y Satoh… - Nature …, 2016 - nature.com
Y Hayashi, S Morinaga, J Zhang, Y Satoh, AL Meredith, T Nakata, Z Wu, S Kohsaka, K Inoue
Nature communications, 2016nature.com
Although morphine is a gold standard medication, long-term opioid use is associated with
serious side effects, such as morphine-induced hyperalgesia (MIH) and anti-nociceptive
tolerance. Microglia-to-neuron signalling is critically involved in pain hypersensitivity.
However, molecules that control microglial cellular state under chronic morphine treatment
remain unknown. Here we show that the microglia-specific subtype of Ca2+-activated K+
(BK) channel is responsible for generation of MIH and anti-nociceptive tolerance. We find …
Abstract
Although morphine is a gold standard medication, long-term opioid use is associated with serious side effects, such as morphine-induced hyperalgesia (MIH) and anti-nociceptive tolerance. Microglia-to-neuron signalling is critically involved in pain hypersensitivity. However, molecules that control microglial cellular state under chronic morphine treatment remain unknown. Here we show that the microglia-specific subtype of Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channel is responsible for generation of MIH and anti-nociceptive tolerance. We find that, after chronic morphine administration, an increase in arachidonic acid levels through the μ-opioid receptors leads to the sole activation of microglial BK channels in the spinal cord. Silencing BK channel auxiliary β3 subunit significantly attenuates the generation of MIH and anti-nociceptive tolerance, and increases neurotransmission after chronic morphine administration. Therefore, microglia-specific BK channels contribute to the generation of MIH and anti-nociceptive tolerance.
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