Nociception modulation by supraspinal group III metabotropic glutamate receptors.

The modulatory actions of glutamate, the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS), are exerted through the activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). Of the eight known mGluRs (mGluR1-8), group III mGluRs (mGluR4, mGluR6, mGluR7, and mGluR8) are less understood because of the lack of selective ligands. Except for mGluR6, group III mGluRs are widely distributed throughout the CNS. They are mainly located on presynaptic terminals where they inhibit neurotransmitter release at glutamatergic and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic synapses. Their location at certain synapses is considered critical for normal CNS function, which makes them potential targets in neurological and psychiatric treatments. Novel ligands that are selective for group III mGluR subtypes have recently been developed. These compounds, which mainly target allosteric sites and act as positive or negative allosteric modulators (PAMs or NAMs) of glutamate transmission, are contributing to the understanding of the functional roles of group III mGluRs in a number of pathological conditions, such as epilepsy, anxiety, neurodegenerative diseases, and chronic pain. Moreover, the presence of group III mGluRs throughout the entire pain neuraxis and particularly in the descending system suggests that these endogenous substrates that extend from the cortex to the first spinal synapse are candidates for pain control. Recent data on chronic pain alleviation by group III mGluR ligands encourage further studies as pathological pain is one of the most troublesome diseases because of the current lack of satisfactory therapy. This review summarizes recent studies on group III mGluRs in animal models of chronic pain, which evidence an opposite modulation of mGluR7 and mGluR8 on pain responses and their capability to affect pain responses only in pathological states. This article is part of the special article series "Pain".

Palazzo E ，Marabese I ，Luongo L ，Guida F ，de Novellis V ，Maione S ... -  《-》

Modulation of Chronic Pain by Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors.

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) belong to class C G-protein-coupled receptors. They are expressed throughout the nervous system on both neurons and glial cells. In the central nervous system (CNS), mGluRs are mainly located in the proximity of the synaptic cleft where they regulate glutamatergic transmission in addition to a number of other neurotransmitters. To date, eight subtypes of mGluRs (mGluR1-mGluR8) have been cloned and classified into three groups on the basis of sequence similarities, and pharmacological and biochemical properties. Consequently, group I mGluRs includes mGluR1 and mGluR5, group II mGluRs includes mGluR2 and mGluR3, and group III mGluRs consists of mGluR4, mGluR6, mGluR7, and mGluR8. With the exception of mGluR6, whose localization is restricted within the retina, all mGluRs are ubiquitously expressed throughout the peripheral and CNS with some subtype specificity in different anatomical regions. mGluRs participate in many physiological processes and play important roles in a number of neurological conditions including anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and neurodegenerative disorders. mGluRs also participate in the physiological transmission of pain stimuli as well as to mechanisms involved in the establishment of chronic pain. Therefore, these receptors are attractive targets for therapeutic intervention in several neurological disorders including chronic pain. Thus, understanding the physiological function and role of each mGluR subtype in the development of chronic pain will provide a better insight into the potential use of subtype-selective drugs currently being developed as orthosteric or allosteric ligands.

Chiechio S 《-》

The Modulation of Pain by Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors 7 and 8 in the Dorsal Striatum.

The dorsal striatum, apart from controlling voluntary movement, displays a recently demonstrated pain inhibition. It is connected to the descending pain modulatory system and in particular to the rostral ventromedial medulla through the medullary dorsal reticular nucleus. Diseases of the basal ganglia, such as Parkinson's disease, in addition to being characterized by motor disorders, are associated with pain and hyperactivation of the excitatory transmission. A way to counteract glutamatergic hyperactivation is through the activation of group III metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), which are located on presynaptic terminals inhibiting neurotransmitter release. So far the mGluRs of group III have been the least investigated, owing to a lack of selective tools. More recently, selective ligands for each mGluR of group III, in particular positive and negative allosteric modulators, have been developed and the role of each subtype is starting to emerge. The neuroprotective potential of group III mGluRs in pathological conditions, such as those characterized by elevate glutamate, has been recently shown. In the dorsal striatum, mGluR7 and mGluR8 are located at glutamatergic corticostriatal terminals and their stimulation inhibits pain in pathological conditions such as neuropathic pain. The two receptors in the dorsal striatum have instead a different role in pain control in normal conditions. This review will discuss recent results focusing on the contribution of mGluR7 and mGluR8 in the dorsal striatal control of pain. The role of mGluR4, whose antiparkinsonian activity is widely reported, will also be addressed.

Boccella S ，Marabese I ，Guida F ，Luongo L ，Maione S ，Palazzo E ... -  《-》

Supraspinal metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 8: a switch to turn off pain.

Palazzo E ，de Novellis V ，Rossi F ，Maione S ... -  《-》

Supraspinal metabotropic glutamate receptors: a target for pain relief and beyond.

Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, controlling the majority of synapses. Apart from neurodegenerative diseases, growing evidence suggests that glutamate is involved in psychiatric and neurological disorders, including pain. Glutamate signaling is mediated via ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) and metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). So far, drugs acting via modulation of glutamatergic system are few in number, and all are associated with iGluRs and important side effects. The glutamatergic system may be finely modulated by mGluRs. Signaling via these receptors is slower and longer-lasting, and permits fine-tuning of glutamate transmission. There have been eight mGluRs cloned to date (mGluR1-mGluR8), and these are further divided into three groups on the basis of sequence homology, pharmacological profile, and second messenger signaling. The pattern of expression of mGluRs along the pain neuraxis makes them suitable substrates for the design of novel analgesics. This review will focus on the supraspinal mGluRs, whose pharmacological manipulation generates a variety of effects, which depend on the synaptic location, the cell type on which they are located, and the expression in particular pain modulation areas, such as the periaqueductal gray, which plays a major role in the descending modulation of pain, and the central nucleus of the amygdala, which is an important center for the processing of emotional information associated with pain. A particular emphasis will also be given to the novel selective mGluR subtype ligands, as well as positive and negative allosteric modulators, which have permitted discrimination of the individual roles of the different mGluR subtypes, and subtle modulation of central nervous system functioning and related disorders.

Palazzo E ，Marabese I ，de Novellis V ，Rossi F ，Maione S ... -  《-》