Participação dos receptores purinérgicos P2X3 e P2X7 na hiperalgesia inflamatória articular em joelho de ratos e o estudo dos mecanismos periféricos envolvidos

Author(s)

Juliana Maia Teixeira

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Biologia
• Defense date: 2014-05-27

Examining board members

Cláudia Herrera Tambeli; Gisele Picolo; Jozi Godoy Figueiredo; Marcelo Nicolas Muscara; Anderson Luiz Ferreira

• Advisor: Cláudia Herrera Tambeli

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative and progressive disease, characterized by cartilage breakdown which covers the bone ends and by synovial membrane inflammation, causing disability, joint swelling and pain. The relief of severe pain is the main goal of the acute treatment, but little is known about the mechanisms involved in the development of pain in OA. It has been demonstrated the role of ATP (adenosine 5'-triphosphate) in processes of hyperalgesia through activation of purinergic receptors P2X3, P2X2/3 and P2X7. Therefore, the aims of this study were: (1) to investigate the role of P2X3, P2X2/3 and P2X7 receptors in articular hyperalgesia in the knee joint arthritis model in males and estrus females rats and, if so, whether there are sex differences in the effect induced by the selective P2X3, P2X2/3 and P2X7 receptors antagonists. (2) to test the hypothesis that the carrageenan-induced articular inflammation increases the expression of P2X3 receptor in chondrocytes of articular cartilage of the knee joint. (3) to verify whether the mechanism by which the P2X3, P2X2/3 and P2X7 receptors activation contributes to articular hyperalgesia depends on previous pro-inflammatory cytokines release and neutrophil migration. (4) to investigate whether the P2X3, P2X2/3 and P2X7 receptors activation induces articular hyperalgesia in the rat¿s knee joint which depends on release of inflammatory mediators. (5) to verify whether the activation of P2X3, P2X2/3 and P2X7 receptors contributes to the articular hyperalgesia induced by the inflammatory mediators bradykinin, pro-inflammatory cytokines, PGE2 and dopamine. For the aims 1, 4 and 5, the articular hyperalgesia was quantified by the rat knee joint Incapacitation Test. The immuno?uorescence method was used for the aim 2. For aims 3 and 4, the ELISA and MPO immunoenzymatic assays were used. The results demonstrate that P2X3, P2X2/3 and P2X7 receptors activation by endogenous ATP is essential for the development of carrageenan-induced articular hyperalgesia in the knee joint of male and estrus female rats, which are more sensitive than males to anti-hyperalgesic and anti-inflammatory effects induced by the P2X7 receptor antagonist. During carrageenan-induced joint inflammation occurs an increased of P2X3 receptors expression in chondrocytes of the articular cartilage. The essential role played by P2X3, P2X2/3 and P2X7 receptors in the development of articular hyperalgesia is mediated by an indirect sensitization of the primary afferent nociceptors dependent on the previous pro-inflammatory cytokines release and neutrophil migration. Moreover, the P2X3, P2X2/3 and P2X7 receptors activation induces articular hyperalgesia which depends on bradykinin, sympathomimetic amines, prostaglandins and pro-inflammatory cytokines release. Finally, the articular hyperalgesia induced by inflammatory mediators bradykinin, PGE2 and dopamine depends on the P2X3 and P2X2/3 receptors activation, while the P2X7 receptor activation contributes to the bradykinin- and dopamine-induced articular hyperalgesia. In conclusion, our results suggest that P2X3, P2X2/3 and P2X7 receptors are interesting pharmacological targets for the treatment of inflammatory joint diseases such as osteoarthritis. In particular, selective P2X7 receptor antagonists can be used to reduce inflammation and pain in the knee joint, especially in women (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/16854-3 - Involvement of P2X3 and P2X7 purinergic receptors in carrageenan-induced arthritis in knee joint of rats
• Grantee: Juliana Maia Teixeira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate