Expression of artemin and GFRα3 in an animal model of migraine: possible role in the pathogenesis of this disorder.

Background: Neurotrophic factors have been implicated in hyperalgesia and peripheral levels of these molecules are altered in migraine pathophysiology. Artemin, a vasculature-derived neurotrophic factor, contributes to pain modulation and trigeminal primary afferent sensitization through binding its selective receptor GFRα3. The distribution of artemin and GFRα3 in the dura mater raises an anatomy supports that they may be involved in migraine.