The role of NTS2 in the development of tolerance to NT69L in mouse models for hypothermia and thermal analgesia

NT69L is a neurotensin (NT)(8-13) analog that binds the two major NT receptors, NTS1 and NTS2, and elicits similar behavioral effects as endogenous NT. Tolerance develops rapidly to some, but not to all of NT69L's effects, and to date, little is known about the mechanisms responsible for this tolerance. The development of tolerance appears to be more prevalent in behavioral effects mediated by NTS1 than by those mediated by NTS2, including hypothermia and thermal analgesia. However, we hypothesize that both NTS1 and NTS2 have important roles in mediating the effects of NT69L. Here, we investigate the role of NTS2 on NT69L-mediated hypothermia and thermal analgesia with the use of NTS2 knock-out mice. We show that tolerance develops to NT69L-mediated hypothermia and thermal analgesia following sub-chronic treatment in wild-type (WT) mice, and that NTS2 is necessary for the development of that tolerance. Additionally, we suggest potential means by which NTS2 influences these NT69L-mediated behaviors.