JDR JDR Most Read Articles
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Alavi, A. M.
Right arrow Articles by Burnstock, G.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Alavi, A. M.
Right arrow Articles by Burnstock, G.

Journal of Dental Research, Vol 80, 476-483, Copyright © 2001 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals

ARTICLES

Immunohistochemical evidence for ATP receptors in human dental pulp

A. M. Alavi, G. R. Dubyak and G. Burnstock
Autonomic Neuroscience Institute, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London, UK. xmicron@aol.com

Evidence is accumulating which supports a role for ATP in the initiation of pain by acting on P2X receptors, in particular P2X3, expressed on nociceptive afferent nerve terminals. To investigate whether this receptor plays a role in dental pain, we studied the presence and distribution of P2X3 receptors in human dental pulp, and their co-localization with other neural markers. Pulps were removed from extracted third molars and immunohistochemically stained with an antibody against P2X3 receptors. P2X3 immunoreactive (-ir) nerve fibers were detected in the main body of the pulp, in the sub-odontoblastic plexus of Raschkow, and within the odontoblastic area. Co-localization of the P2X3-ir neurons with neurofilament protein (NF) showed that the majority of the fibers were positive for both NF and P2X3. Double labeling with isolectin B4 (IB4) showed that all P2X3-ir neurons also bind IB4. We conclude that P2X3 receptors are present on both myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers in human dental pulp and may play a role in dental pain mechanisms.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Physiol. Rev.Home page
G. Burnstock
Physiology and Pathophysiology of Purinergic Neurotransmission
Physiol Rev, April 1, 2007; 87(2): 659 - 797.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Pharmacol. Rev.Home page
G. Burnstock
Pathophysiology and therapeutic potential of purinergic signaling.
Pharmacol. Rev., March 1, 2006; 58(1): 58 - 86.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Neurophysiol.Home page
B. Hu, C. Y. Chiang, J. W. Hu, J. O. Dostrovsky, and B. J. Sessle
P2X Receptors in Trigeminal Subnucleus Caudalis Modulate Central Sensitization in Trigeminal Subnucleus Oralis
J Neurophysiol, October 1, 2002; 88(4): 1614 - 1624.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
IADR Journals Advances in Dental Research ®
Journal of Dental Research ® Critical Reviews (1990-2004)
Copyright © 2001 Institutional Access Guidelines