EphB1 Receptor Blockade Augments Morphine Antinociception via Inhibiting GRK2‐Mediated µ‐Opioid Receptor Internalization

ABSTRACT

Opioids are the primary treatment for severe pain in clinical practice. However, repeated exposure to opioids leads to tolerance, and underlying mechanisms remain elusive. The present study demonstrates that EphB1 receptors play an important role in opioid antinociception through orchestrating µ‐opioid receptor (MOR) trafficking. Morphine administration activates EphB1 receptors in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and the spinal cord. Deletion of EphB1 receptors in DRG neurons or vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (Vglut2)‐expressing neurons in the spinal dorsal horn (DH) augments morphine antinociception. MOR and EphB1 receptors are co‐expressed in the somata and axons of DRG neurons and DH Vglut2 ⁺ neurons. Deletion of EphB1 receptors in DRG neurons increases opioid‐induced suppression of calcium currents, and ablation of EphB1 receptors in Vglut2 ⁺ neurons enhances opioid‐induced inhibition of excitatory synaptic transmission and induction of outward currents in Vglut2 ⁺ DH neurons. Mechanistically, EphB1 receptors form a complex with MOR and G protein‐coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) and regulate GRK2‐mediated phosphorylation of MOR at Ser ³⁷⁵ , thus controlling MOR internalization. These findings support the idea that activation of EphB1 receptors may facilitate the development of opioid tolerance through regulating MOR.