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ATP‐gated ion channel P2X 3 is increased in human inflammatory bowel disease
Author(s) -
Yiangou Y.,
Facer P.,
Baecker P. A.,
Ford A. P.,
Knowles C. H.,
Chan C. L. H.,
Williams N. S.,
Anand P.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
neurogastroenterology and motility
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.489
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1365-2982
pISSN - 1350-1925
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2982.2001.00276.x
Subject(s) - peripherin , myenteric plexus , immunostaining , blot , immunohistochemistry , nociception , irritable bowel syndrome , pathology , inflammatory bowel disease , western blot , ion channel , medicine , biology , chemistry , endocrinology , microbiology and biotechnology , receptor , disease , biochemistry , gene
P2X 3 is a novel ATP‐gated cation channel that is selectively expressed by small‐diameter sensory neurones in rodents, and may play a role in nociception by binding ATP released from damaged or inflamed tissues. We have studied, for the first time, P2X 3 immunoreactivity in human inflammatory bowel disease, using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. A major 66‐kDa specific protein was found by Western blotting in all colon extracts. In the inflamed group there was a significant two‐fold increase in the relative optical density of the 66‐kDa band (21.2 ± 3.1; n=8) compared to controls (11.4 ± 3.7; n=8; P=0.009). In the control colon, P2X 3 ‐immunoreactive neurones were scattered throughout the myenteric and submucosal plexuses, with some neurones showing immunopositive axons/dendrites. The pattern of immunostaining was similar to the neuronal marker peripherin. In general, the intensity of the staining was greater in myenteric than submucosal neurones. The number of P2X 3 ‐immunoreactive neurones was significantly increased in the myenteric plexus of inflamed colon compared to controls (n=13; P=0.01). In humans, unlike rodents, P2X 3 is thus not restricted to sensory neurones. Increased P2X 3 in inflamed intestine suggests a potential role in dysmotility and pain, for which it represents a new therapeutic target.