Prokineticin 2 mediates peripheral and central sensitization of somatic pain

Abstract

Prokineticin 2 (PK2) is a newly discovered chemokine, which participates in various physiological functions of the body by binding to receptors PKR1 and PKR2. PK signaling pathway is a newly discovered important regulatory pathway for the occurrence and maintenance of pain after tissue injury and nerve injury in recent years. It plays a key role in regulating injury-related nociceptive events and is a potential therapeutic target for many diseases. The activation of PKRs can induce pain sensation and participate in the sensitivity of pain receptors to different stimuli. The PK system (PKs and PKRs) is an important link involved in inflammation and pain transmission in immune cells. PK2 is involved in the regulation of pain perception by activating PKR1 and PKR2 on primary sensory neurons. In rat primary sensory neurons, PK2 also enhances gated ion channel current through the PKC signaling pathway, inhibits GABA-activated currents, and sensitizes purine nucleotide P2 receptor (P2X). This paper reviews the research progress of PK2 in physical pain. We hope to find new drugs for the treatment of inflammatory pain that target the PKs signaling pathway in future studies.