A-317491, a novel potent and selective non-nucleotide antagonist of P2X3 and P2X2/3 receptors, reduces chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain in the rat

P2X 3 and P2X 2/3 receptors are highly localized on peripheral and central processes of sensory afferent nerves, and activation of these channels contributes to the pronociceptive effects of ATP. A-317491 is a novel non-nucleotide antagonist of P2X 3 and P2X 2/3 receptor activation. A-317491 potently blocked recombinant human and rat P2X 3 and P2X 2/3 receptor-mediated calcium flux ( K i = 22–92 nM) and was highly selective (IC 50 >10 μM) over other P2 receptors and other neurotransmitter receptors, ion channels, and enzymes. A-317491 also blocked native P2X 3 and P2X 2/3 receptors in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons. Blockade of P2X 3 containing channels was stereospecific because the R -enantiomer (A-317344) of A-317491 was significantly less active at P2X 3 and P2X 2/3 receptors. A-317491 dose-dependently (ED 50 = 30 μmol/kg s.c.) reduced complete Freund's adjuvant-induced thermal hyperalgesia in the rat. A-317491 was most potent (ED 50 = 10–15 μmol/kg s.c.) in attenuating both thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia after chronic nerve constriction injury. The R -enantiomer, A-317344, was inactive in these chronic pain models. Although active in chronic pain models, A-317491 was ineffective (ED 50 >100 μmol/kg s.c.) in reducing nociception in animal models of acute pain, postoperative pain, and visceral pain. The present data indicate that a potent and selective antagonist of P2X 3 and P2X 2/3 receptors effectively reduces both nerve injury and chronic inflammatory nociception, but P2X 3 and P2X 2/3 receptor activation may not be a major mediator of acute, acute inflammatory, or visceral pain.