LPS-induced dental pulp inflammation increases expression of ionotropic purinergic receptors in rat trigeminal ganglion.

Severe toothache can be caused by dental pulp inflammation. The ionotropic purinergic receptor family (P2X) is reported to mediate nociception in primary afferent neurons. This study aims to investigate the involvement of P2X receptors in the sensitization of the trigeminal ganglion (TG) caused by dental pulp inflammation. Lipopolysaccharides were unilaterally applied to the pulp of the upper molar of the rat to induce dental pulp inflammation. Increased expression of c-fos, a marker of neuronal activity, was induced in V1-V2 division, indicating the activation of TG neurons. The expressions of P2X2, P2X3, and P2X5 were also increased in the V1-V2 division of TG, primarily in small-sized and medium-sized neurons. Markers of glutamatergic afferents, VGluT1, and GABAergic afferents, GAD67, were induced by lipopolysaccharides and coexpressed with P2X in small-sized TG neurons. The present findings suggest that the P2X2, P2X3, and P2X5 receptors are upregulated as part of the sensitization produced by dental pulp inflammation.