Red nucleus mGluR2 but not mGluR3 mediates inhibitory effect in the development of SNI-induced neuropathological pain by suppressing the expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β.

Our previous study has verified that activation of group Ⅰ metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRⅠ) in the red nucleus (RN) facilitate the development of neuropathological pain. Here, we further discussed the functions and possible molecular mechanisms of red nucleus mGluR Ⅱ (mGluR2 and mGluR3) in the development of neuropathological pain induced by spared nerve injury (SNI). Our results showed that mGluR2 and mGluR3 both were constitutively expressed in the RN of normal rats. At 2 weeks post-SNI, the protein expression of mGluR2 rather than mGluR3 was significantly reduced in the RN contralateral to the nerve lesion. Injection of mGluR2/3 agonist LY379268 into the RN contralateral to the nerve injury at 2 weeks post-SNI significantly attenuated SNI-induced neuropathological pain, this effect was reversed by mGluR2/3 antagonist EGLU instead of selective mGluR3 antagonist β-NAAG. Intrarubral injection of LY379268 did not alter the PWT of contralateral hindpaw in normal rats, while intrarubral injection of EGLU rather than β-NAAG provoked a significant mechanical allodynia. Further studies indicated that the expressions of nociceptive factors TNF-α and IL-1β in the RN were enhanced at 2 weeks post-SNI. Intrarubral injection of LY379268 at 2 weeks post-SNI significantly suppressed the overexpressions of TNF-α and IL-1β, these effects were reversed by EGLU instead of β-NAAG. Intrarubral injection of LY379268 did not influence the protein expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β in normal rats, while intrarubral injection of EGLU rather than β-NAAG significantly boosted the expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β. These findings suggest that red nucleus mGluR2 but not mGluR3 mediates inhibitory effect in the development of SNI-induced neuropathological pain by suppressing the expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β. mGluR Ⅱ may be potential targets for drug development and clinical treatment of neuropathological pain.