Nociceptor α7nAChR activation blunts neuronal HMGB1 release and attenuates inflammation and nociceptive behavior.

ABSTRACT:

Background

High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) is a nuclear protein that upon extracellular release acts as an alarmin to initiate and amplify inflammation. HMGB1 release from nociceptors contributes to both inflammation and pain; however, the mechanisms for its regulation remain incompletely understood. The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, mediated by α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) activation, inhibits HMGB1 release from immune cells and reduces inflammation. This study investigates whether α7nAChR signaling similarly inhibits HMGB1 release from nociceptors, thereby affecting pain and inflammation.

Methods

Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons were isolated from C57BL/6 or VGlut2-Cre/ChR2-YFP mice (expressing ChR2 in sensory neurons for optogenetic stimulatio

SUBMITTER: Yang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12581301 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature