Cited by 152Pain Mechanisms and TreatmentsNeuropeptides and Animal PhysiologyNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

Oxytocin-Induced Antinociception in the Spinal Cord is Mediated by a Subpopulation of Glutamatergic Neurons in Lamina I-II Which Amplify GABAergic Inhibition

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Breton, Jean-Didier, Veinante, Pierre, Uhl-Bronner, Sandra, Vergnano, Angela Maria, Freund-Mercier, Marie José, Schlichter, Rémy, Poisbeau, Pierrick·2008·Molecular Pain

Abstract

Background: Recent evidence suggests that oxytocin (OT), secreted in the superficial spinal cord dorsal horn by descending axons of paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) neurons, produces antinociception and analgesia. The spinal mechanism of OT is, however, still unclear and requires further investigation. We have used patch clamp recording of lamina II neurons in spinal cord slices and immunocytochemistry in order to identify PVN-activated neurons in the superficial layers of the spinal cord and attempted to determine how this neuronal population may lead to OT-mediated antinociception. Results: We show that OT released during PVN stimulation specifically activates a subpopulation of lamina II glutamatergic interneurons which are localized in the most superficial layers of the dorsal horn of the spinal cord (lamina I-II). This OT-specific stimulation of glutamatergic neurons allows the recruitment of all GABAergic interneurons in lamina II which produces a generalized elevation of local inhibition, a phenomenon which might explain the reduction of incoming Aδ and C primary afferent-mediated sensory messages. Conclusion: Our results obtained in lamina II of the spinal cord provide the first clear evidence of a specific local neuronal network that is activated by OT release to induce antinociception. This OT-specific pathway might represent a novel and interesting therapeutic target for the management of neuropathic and inflammatory pain.

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Crossref · 10.1186/1744-8069-4-19

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  • One mechanism of oxytocin antinociception involves engagement of GABA-mediated inhibitory circuits at superficial layers of spinal cord dorsal horn neurones, which express oxytocin receptors and receive direct projections from hypothalamic oxytocin neurones, reducing Aδ/C-fibre afferent signalling and ascending nociceptive input.

    “One mechanism involves the engagement of GABA‐mediated inhibitory circuits at the superficial layers of spinal cord dorsal horn neurones, which express oxytocin receptors 7 and receive direct projections from hypothalamic oxytocin neurones 8, 9, reducing Aδ/C‐fibre afferent signalling and ascending nociceptive input 10, 11, 12, 13, 14.”
  • Animal studies have shown that oxytocin can specifically reduce Aδ/C-fibre afferent signalling and ascending nociceptive input at the level of spinal cord dorsal horn neurones by engaging GABA-mediated inhibitory cellular mechanisms.

    “animal studies have shown that oxytocin can specifically reduce Aδ/C‐fibre afferent signalling and ascending nociceptive input at the level of spinal cord dorsal horn neurones by engaging GABA‐mediated inhibitory cellular mechanisms 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 29.”

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Authors
Breton, J.-D., Veinante, P., Uhl-Bronner, S., Vergnano, A. M., Freund-Mercier, M. J., Schlichter, R., & Poisbeau, P.
Affiliations
  • Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
  • Department Nociception and Pain, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7168, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Université Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg, France
Corresponding author
  • Breton, Jean-Didier
  • Veinante, Pierre
  • Vergnano, Angela Maria
  • Schlichter, Rémy
  • Poisbeau, Pierrick
Venue
Molecular Pain
Published
2008-01-01
Volume
4
Pages
19-19
ISSN
1744-8069 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2146655845
Cited by
152
References
35
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 6
FWCI
3.85
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Molecular Pain (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • HAL (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale
  • Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
  • Institut Universitaire de France
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
Keywords
oxytocin, antinociception, dorsal horn, lamina II, glutamatergic interneurons, GABAergic inhibition, paraventricular nucleus, descending pain modulation, neuropathic pain, inflammatory pain
MeSH terms
Analgesia, Animals, Electrophysiology, gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Neurons, Oxytocin, Pain, Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus, Spinal Cord, Rats, Wistar, Glutamic Acid, GABA Antagonists, Rats

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