Alternative Splicing of the NMDA Receptor Subunit GluN1 Mediated by Polypyrimidine Tract-Binding Protein Dimerization in the Trigeminal Ganglion Contributes to Orofacial Allodynia.

Orofacial neuropathic pain, a debilitating condition associated with trigeminal nerve injury, is often characterized by allodynia. N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), particularly the GluN1 subunit, play a central role in mediating this pain. The GluN1 subunit undergoes alternative splicing at exon 5, generating isoforms GluN1a (lacking the exon 5-encoded N1 cassette) and GluN1b (retaining the N1 cassette), which have distinct functional roles.

Engineered RVG-exosomes-mediated delivery of siRNAs targeting NMDAR alleviates orofacial neuropathic pain by suppressing central sensitivity.

Orofacial neuropathic pain (NP) is a common complication in oral clinical practice that severely affects quality of life. However, NP does not currently receive effective medications. Engineered exosomes have great potential as drug delivery systems for treating diseases.

The crucial role of NR2A mediating the activation of satellite glial cells in the trigeminal ganglion contributes to orofacial inflammatory pain during TMJ inflammation.

Temporomandibular joint inflammatory diseases are a significant subtype of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) characterized by inflammatory pain in the orofacial area. The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), specifically the NR2A subtype, was crucial in neuropathic pain. However, the exact role of NR2A in inflammatory pain in the TMJ and the molecular and cellular mechanisms mediating peripheral sensitization in the trigeminal ganglion (TG) remain unclear.

N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor Subunits 2A and 2B Mediate Connexins and Pannexins in the Trigeminal Ganglion Involved in Orofacial Inflammatory Allodynia during Temporomandibular Joint Inflammation.

Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) is a severe form of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), and orofacial inflammatory allodynia is one of its common symptoms which lacks effective treatment. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), particularly its subtypes GluN2A and GluN2B, along with gap junctions (GJs), are key players in the mediation of inflammatory pain. However, the precise regulatory mechanisms of GluN2A, GluN2B, and GJs in orofacial inflammatory allodynia during TMJ inflammation still remain unclear.

Differential roles of NMDAR subunits 2A and 2B in mediating peripheral and central sensitization contributing to orofacial neuropathic pain.

The spinal N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), particularly their subtypes NR2A and NR2B, plays pivotal roles in neuropathic and inflammatory pain. However, the roles of NR2A and NR2B in orofacial pain and the exact molecular and cellular mechanisms mediating nervous system sensitization are still poorly understood. Here, we exhaustively assessed the regulatory effect of NMDAR in mediating peripheral and central sensitization in orofacial neuropathic pain.