Spinal TLR4/P2X7 Receptor-Dependent NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation Contributes to the Development of Tolerance to Morphine-Induced Antinociception

Long-term use of morphine induces antinociceptive tolerance and limits its clinical efficacy. Neuroinflammation in the spinal cord is thought to play a pivotal role in the development of morphine tolerance. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) are key modulators of neuroinflammation. Recent studies show that the Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome play a crucial role in microglia-mediated neuroinflammation. Thus far, the mechanism underlying NLRP3 inflammasome activation during morphine-induced tolerance is not yet fully understood. Therefore, we sought to investigate the mechanisms of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and its role in the development of morphine-induced tolerance.

This study demonstrates that the NLRP3 inflammasome in microglia plays a crucial role in morphine tolerance and that both TLR4- and P2X7R-dependent pathways are required for NLRP3 inflammasome activation over the course of the development of morphine-induced tolerance. Our results provide a new perspective for the targeted treatment of morphine-induced tolerance.

Repeated morphine treatment through intrathecal injection (15 μg once daily for 7 days) was given to establish antinociceptive tolerance in mice. Tail-flick latency was used to evaluate morphine-induced antinociception. NLRP3 knockout mice were used to assess the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in morphine tolerance. TLR4 knockout mice and A438079, a P2X7R antagonist, were used to assess the role of TLR4 and P2X7R in chronic morphine-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used for quantitative comparison.

Repeated morphine treatment increased the expression of NLRP3. Knockout of NLRP3 attenuated morphine-induced tolerance and suppressed morphine-induced activation of microglia. Knockout of TLR4 alleviated morphine tolerance and chronic morphine-induced upregulation of spinal NLRP3. Inhibition of spinal P2X7R with A438079 not only prevented the development of morphine-induced tolerance but also inhibited repeated morphine treatment-induced upregulation of spinal NLRP3. Furthermore, spinal NLRP3, TLR4 and P2X7R were collectively colocalized with the microglia marker Iba1.