Role of M2, M3, and M4 muscarinic receptor subtypes in the spinal cholinergic control of nociception revealed using siRNA in rats.

ABSTRACT: Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) are involved in the control of nociception in the spinal cord. The M(2), M(3), and M(4) mAChR subtypes are present in the spinal dorsal horn. However, the role of the individual subtypes in the anti-nociceptive effect produced by mAChR agonists is uncertain. Here, we determined the contribution of M(2), M(3), and M(4) subtypes to spinal muscarinic analgesia by using small-interference RNA (siRNA) targeting specific mAChR subtypes in rats. The neuronal uptake and distribution of a chitosan-siRNA conjugated fluorescent dye in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion were confirmed after intrathecal injection. The control and gene-specific siRNA-chitosan complexes were injected intrathecally for three consecutive days. Quantitative reverse-transcrip

SUBMITTER: Cai YQ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4435670 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature