Small (<25 microm in diameter) neurons of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) express multiple voltage-gated Na(+) channel subtypes, two of which being resistant to tetrodotoxin (TTX). Each subtype mediates Na(+) current with distinct kinetic property. However, it is not known how each type of Na(+) channel contributes to the generation of action potentials in small DRG neurons. Therefore, we investigated the correlation between Na(+) currents in voltage-clamp recordings and corresponding action potentials in current-clamp recordings, using wild-type (WT) and Na(V)1.8 knock-out (KO) mice, to clarify the action potential electrogenesis in small DRG neurons. We classified Na(+) currents in small DRG neurons into three categories on the basis of TTX sensitivity and kinetic properties, i.e., TTX-sensitive (TTX-S)/fast Na(+) current, TTX-resistant (TTX-R)/slow Na(+) current, and TTX-R/persistent Na(+) current. Our concurrent voltage- and current-clamp recordings from the same neuron revealed that the action potentials in WT small DRG neurons were mainly dependent on TTX-R/slow Na(+) current mediated by Na(V)1.8. It was surprising that a large portion of TTX-S/fast Na(+) current was switched off in WT small DRG neurons due to a hyperpolarizing shift of the steady-state inactivation (h (infinity)), whereas in KO small DRG neurons which are devoid of TTX-R/slow Na(+) current, the action potentials were generated by TTX-S/fast Na(+) current possibly through a compensatory shift of h (infinity) in the positive direction. We also confirmed that TTX-R/persistent Na(+) current mediated by Na(V)1.9 actually regulates subthreshold excitability in small DRG neurons. In addition, we demon strated that TTX-R/persistent Na(+) current can carry an action potential when the amplitude of this current was abnormally increased. Thus, our results indicate that the action potentials in small DRG neurons are generated and regulated with a combination of multiple mechanisms that may give rise to unique functional properties of small DRG neurons.

Abstract. One possible mechanism underlying inflammation-induced sensitization of the primary afferent neuron is the upregulation of tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTX-R) Na + current by inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins. This notion is based on reports that showed an augmentation of TTX-R Na + current following an application of prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. However, no information was available on the properties of the novel type of TTX-R Na + channel, Na V 1.9, at times when these reports were published. Hence, the contribution of Na V 1.9 to the PGE 2 -induced upregulation of TTX-R Na + current remains to be elucidated. To further examine the modulation of TTX-R Na + current by PGE 2 , we recorded two components of TTX-R Na + current in isolation from small (<25 µm in diameter) DRG neurons using wild-type and Na V 1.8 knock-out mice. Unexpectedly, neither the component mediated by Na V 1.8 nor the persistent component mediated by Na V 1.9 was affected by PGE 2 (1 and 10 µM). Our results raise a question regarding the well-known modulatory role of PGE 2 on TTX-R Na + current in inflammatory hyperalgesia.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract