酸敏感离子通道3在关节炎疼痛中的作用

疼痛相关的酸敏感离子通道3（Acid-sensingion channels 3,ASIC3）主要分布在周围神经系统,是对pH值改变最敏感的酸受体。最近,越来越多的研究证实,在脊髓背根神经节（DRG）丰富表达的ASIC3,与痛觉及伤害性感受密切相关,在慢性炎性疼痛的病理过程中发挥重要的作用。研究表明在炎性痛模型中可以上调脊髓背角ASIC3在转录和蛋白水平的表达;阻断或敲除ASIC3基因（ASIC3-/-）能明显抑制炎症性关节痛。上述各点提示,在生理或病理情况下,脊髓背角ASIC3对脊髓水平的感觉信息传递特别是痛觉的传导可能发挥着重要作用,这可能是关节炎疼痛的治疗靶点。本文将ASIC3的生物学特征以及它在关节炎疼痛和治疗中的作用作一综述。

Effects of acid-sensing ion channels 3 subunit in arthritis pain

Pain-related acid-sensing ion channels 3（ASIC3）,the most sensitive acceptor to such a pH change,has been shown to be predominantly expressed in the peripheral nervous system.Over recent years,there has been increased evidence that ASIC3 may lead to the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory pain diseases because that it is predominantly expressed in dorsal root ganglia（DRG） neurons making it a good candidate for a pain sensor.It has been shown that increased expression of ASIC3 mRNA and protein was found in DRG of rodents with inflamed joints and ASIC3 gene knock-out mice（ASIC3-/-） exhibited no enhanced hyperalgesia in inflamed joint.These findings suggest that under the physiological or pathological circumstance,ASIC3 have an important biological effect on the sensor information,especially pain transmission of the spinal cord level,which might be a promising therapeutic target for arthritis pain.In this study,we will briefly discuss the biological features of ASIC3 and summarize recent advances on the role of ASIC3 in the arthritis and during the course of its treatment.