Voltage-gated CaV2.2 calcium channels are expressed in nociceptors at presynaptic terminals, soma, and axons. CaV2.2 channel inhibitors applied to the spinal cord relieve pain in humans and rodents, especially during pathologic pain, but a biological function of nociceptor CaV2.2 channels in processing of nociception, outside presynaptic terminals in the spinal cord, is underappreciated. Here, we demonstrate that functional CaV2.2 channels in peripheral axons innervating skin are required for capsaicin-induced heat hypersensitivity in male and female mice. We show that CaV2.2 channels in TRPV1-nociceptor endings are activated by capsaicin-induced depolarization and contribute to increased intracellular calcium. Capsaicin induces hypersensitivity of both thermal nociceptors and mechanoreceptors, but only heat hypersensitivity depends on peripheral CaV2.2 channel activity, and especially a cell-type-specific CaV2.2 splice isoform. CaV2.2 channels at peripheral nerve endings might be important therapeutic targets to mitigate certain forms of chronic pain. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT It is generally assumed that nociceptor termini in the spinal cord dorsal horn are the functionally significant sites of CaV2.2 channel in control of transmitter release and the transmission of sensory information from the periphery to central sites. We show that peripheral CaV2.2 channels are essential for the classic heat hypersensitivity response to develop in skin following capsaicin exposure. This function of CaV2.2 is highly selective for heat, but not mechanical hypersensitivity induced by capsaicin exposure, and is not a property of closely related CaV2.1 channels. Our findings suggest that interrupting CaV2.2-dependent calcium entry in skin might reduce heat hypersensitivity that develops after noxious heat exposure and may limit the degree of heat hypersensitivity associated with certain other forms of pain.

ABSTRACT Voltage-gated Ca V 2.2 calcium channels are expressed in nociceptors, at pre-synaptic terminals, soma, and axons. Ca V 2.2 channel inhibitors applied to the spinal cord relieve pain in humans and rodents, especially during pathological pain, but a biological function of nociceptor Ca V 2.2 channels in processing of nociception, outside pre-synaptic terminals, is not explored. Here, we demonstrate that functional Ca V 2.2 channels in skin are required for thermal hyperalgesia following intraplantar capsaicin exposure. We provide evidence that Ca V 2.2 channels at nociceptor free endings release inflammatory signals, ATP and IL-1β. We assess the role of Ca V 2.2 splice isoforms to capsaicin-induced hyperalgesia measured by thermal and mechanical stimuli. Our data reveal a critical role for peripheral Ca V 2.2 channels in skin in neurogenic thermal hyperalgesia but not in mechanical hypersensitivity. Inhibition, or the complete lack, of peripheral Ca V 2.2 channels blunts the hyperalgesia response in vivo .