UNASSIGNED: To test this idea, the number of synaptic connections between GABAergic cells of the central amygdala and excitatory or dynorphin positive neurons within the lateral parabrachial nucleus were quantitated after infusion of a virus expressing synaptophysin. Synaptophysin is a synaptic vesicle protein that labels neuronal synaptic connections. These connections were measured in rats with and without whisker pad injection of VZV and knockdown of Nrxn3 within the central amygdala. Orofacial pain was measured using a place escape avoidance paradigm.
UNASSIGNED: GABAergic synaptic connections were reduced in the lateral parabrachial nucleus after Nrxn3 knockdown. Rats with a reduction in the number of connections had an increase in VZV associated orofacial pain. Immunostaining with the pain marker prodynorphin indicated that the reduction in GABAergic connections was primarily associated with prodynorphin positive neurons.
UNASSIGNED: The results suggest Nrxn3 reduces VZV associated orofacial pain, in part, by enhancing synaptic connections between GABA cells of the central amygdala and pain neurons within the lateral parabrachial nucleus.
■为了测试这个想法,在输注表达突触素的病毒后,对杏仁核中央的GABA能细胞与臂旁核外侧的兴奋性或强啡肽阳性神经元之间的突触连接数量进行了定量.突触素是一种标记神经元突触连接的突触小泡蛋白。在杏仁核中央内注射和不注射晶须垫VZV和敲低Nrxn3的大鼠中测量了这些连接。使用避免位置逃避范式来测量面部疼痛。
■Nrxn3敲除后,臂旁核外侧的GABA能突触连接减少。连接数量减少的大鼠与VZV相关的口面部疼痛增加。疼痛标记前强啡肽的免疫染色表明,GABA能连接的减少主要与前强啡肽阳性神经元有关。
■结果表明Nrxn3减少了VZV相关的口面部疼痛,在某种程度上,通过增强中央杏仁核的GABA细胞和外侧臂旁核内的疼痛神经元之间的突触连接。