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Zhang Z, Mao Y, Huang S, Xu R, Huang Y, Li S, Sun Y, Gu X, Ma Z. Microglia Promote Inhibitory Synapse Phagocytosis in the Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn and Modulate Pain-Like Behaviors in a Murine Cancer-Induced Bone Pain Model. Anesth Analg 2024; 139:411-419. [PMID: 38241681 DOI: 10.1213/ane.0000000000006824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The microglial activation has been implicated in cancer-induced bone pain. Recent studies have revealed that microglia mediate synaptic pruning in the central nervous system, where the cluster of differentiation 47-signal regulatory protein α (CD47-SIRPα) axis creates a "don't eat me" signal and elicits an antiphagocytic effect to protect synapses against elimination. To date, the synaptic phagocytosis in microglia has never been investigated in the murine cancer-induced bone pain model. The present experiments sought to explore whether microglia phagocytize synapses in mice with bone cancer pain as well as the possible mechanisms. METHODS Male C3H/HeN mice were used to induce bone cancer pain. Minocycline and S-ketamine were injected into D14. The number of spontaneous flinches (NSF) and paw withdrawal mechanical thresholds (PWMT) were measured on D0, D4, D7, D10, D14, D21, and D28. Hematoxylin and eosin staining presented bone lesions. Western blotting examined the Gephyrin, CD47, and SIRPα expression. Flow cytometry evaluated the proportion of SIRPα + cells in the spine. Immunofluorescence and 3-dimensional reconstruction showed the Gephyrin puncta inside microglial lysosomes. RESULTS Mice embedded with tumor cells induced persistent spontaneous pain and mechanical hyperalgesia. Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed bone destruction and tumor infiltration in marrow cavities. Microglia underwent a responsive and proliferative burst (t = -16.831, P < .001). Western blotting manifested lowered Gephyrin expression in the tumor group (D4, D7, D10, D14, D21, and D28: P < .001). Immunofluorescence and 3-dimensional reconstruction showed larger volumes of Gephyrin puncta inside microglial lysosomes (t = -23.273, P < .001; t = -27.997, P < .001). Treatment with minocycline or S-ketamine exhibited pain relief and antiphagocytic effects (t = -6.191, P < .001, t = -7.083, P < .001; t = -20.767, P < .001, t = -17.080, P < .001; t = 11.789, P < .001, t = 16.777, P < .001; t = 8.868, P < .001, t = 21.319, P < .001). Last but not least, the levels of CD47 and SIRPα proteins were downregulated (D10: P = .004, D14, D21, and D28: P < .001; D10, D14, D21, and D28: P < .001). Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence substantiated reduced microglial SIRPα (t = 11.311, P < .001; t = 12.189, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Microglia-mediated GABAergic synapse pruning in the spinal cord dorsal horn in bone cancer pain mice, which might be associated with the declined CD47-SIRPα signal. Our research uncovered an innovative mechanism that highlighted microglia-mediated synaptic phagocytosis in a murine cancer-induced bone pain model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuoxia Zhang
- From the Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yanting Mao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Simin Huang
- From the Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rui Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yulin Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shuming Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yu'e Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoping Gu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhengliang Ma
- From the Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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Collier L, Seah C, Hicks EM, Holtzheimer PE, Krystal JH, Girgenti MJ, Huckins LM, Johnston KJA. The impact of chronic pain on brain gene expression. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.05.20.24307630. [PMID: 38826319 PMCID: PMC11142271 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.20.24307630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Background Chronic pain affects one fifth of American adults, contributing significant public health burden. Chronic pain mechanisms can be further understood through investigating brain gene expression. Methods We tested differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in chronic pain, migraine, lifetime fentanyl and oxymorphone use, and with chronic pain genetic risk in four brain regions (dACC, DLPFC, MeA, BLA) and imputed cell type expression data from 304 postmortem donors. We compared findings across traits and with independent transcriptomics resources, and performed gene-set enrichment. Results We identified two chronic pain DEGs: B4GALT and VEGFB in bulk dACC. We found over 2000 (primarily BLA microglia) chronic pain cell type DEGs. Findings were enriched for mouse microglia pain genes, and for hypoxia and immune response. Cross-trait DEG overlap was minimal. Conclusions Chronic pain-associated gene expression is heterogeneous across cell type, largely distinct from that in pain-related traits, and shows BLA microglia are a key cell type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lily Collier
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, NY
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT
| | - Carina Seah
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY
| | - Emily M Hicks
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY
| | - Paul E Holtzheimer
- National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
| | - John H Krystal
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT
- Clinical Neuroscience Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT
| | - Matthew J Girgenti
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT
- Clinical Neuroscience Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT
| | - Laura M Huckins
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT
| | - Keira J A Johnston
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT
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Peng X, Mao Y, Liu Y, Dai Q, Tai Y, Luo B, Liang Y, Guan R, Zhou W, Chen L, Zhang Z, Shen G, Wang H. Microglial activation in the lateral amygdala promotes anxiety-like behaviors in mice with chronic moderate noise exposure. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14674. [PMID: 38468130 PMCID: PMC10927919 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long-term non-traumatic noise exposure, such as heavy traffic noise, can elicit emotional disorders in humans. However, the underlying neural substrate is still poorly understood. METHODS We exposed mice to moderate white noise for 28 days to induce anxiety-like behaviors, measured by open-field, elevated plus maze, and light-dark box tests. In vivo multi-electrode recordings in awake mice were used to examine neuronal activity. Chemogenetics were used to silence specific brain regions. Viral tracing, immunofluorescence, and confocal imaging were applied to define the neural circuit and characterize the morphology of microglia. RESULTS Exposure to moderate noise for 28 days at an 85-dB sound pressure level resulted in anxiety-like behaviors in open-field, elevated plus maze, and light-dark box tests. Viral tracing revealed that fibers projecting from the auditory cortex and auditory thalamus terminate in the lateral amygdala (LA). A noise-induced increase in spontaneous firing rates of the LA and blockade of noise-evoked anxiety-like behaviors by chemogenetic inhibition of LA glutamatergic neurons together confirmed that the LA plays a critical role in noise-induced anxiety. Noise-exposed animals were more vulnerable to anxiety induced by acute noise stressors than control mice. In addition to these behavioral abnormalities, ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1)-positive microglia in the LA underwent corresponding morphological modifications, including reduced process length and branching and increased soma size following noise exposure. Treatment with minocycline to suppress microglia inhibited noise-associated changes in microglial morphology, neuronal electrophysiological activity, and behavioral changes. Furthermore, microglia-mediated synaptic phagocytosis favored inhibitory synapses, which can cause an imbalance between excitation and inhibition, leading to anxiety-like behaviors. CONCLUSIONS Our study identifies LA microglial activation as a critical mediator of noise-induced anxiety-like behaviors, leading to neuronal and behavioral changes through selective synapse phagocytosis. Our results highlight the pivotal but previously unrecognized roles of LA microglia in chronic moderate noise-induced behavioral changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqi Peng
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiChina
| | - Yunfeng Mao
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiChina
| | - Yehao Liu
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western MedicineAnhui University of Chinese MedicineHefeiChina
| | - Qian Dai
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western MedicineAnhui University of Chinese MedicineHefeiChina
| | - Yingju Tai
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiChina
| | - Bin Luo
- Auditory Research Laboratory, Department of Neurobiology and Biophysics, Division of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiChina
- Department of PsychiatryThe First Affiliated Hospital of USTCHefeiChina
| | - Yue Liang
- Department of OtolaryngologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of USTCHefeiChina
| | - Ruirui Guan
- Department of OtolaryngologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of USTCHefeiChina
| | - Wenjie Zhou
- Songjiang Research InstituteShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Lin Chen
- Auditory Research Laboratory, Department of Neurobiology and Biophysics, Division of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiChina
| | - Zhi Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiChina
| | - Guoming Shen
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western MedicineAnhui University of Chinese MedicineHefeiChina
| | - Haitao Wang
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western MedicineAnhui University of Chinese MedicineHefeiChina
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Yang L, Liu B, Zheng S, Xu L, Yao M. Understanding the initiation, delivery and processing of bone cancer pain from the peripheral to the central nervous system. Neuropharmacology 2023; 237:109641. [PMID: 37392821 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
Bone cancer pain is a complex condition characterized by persistent, sudden, spontaneous pain accompanied by hyperalgesia that typically arises from bone metastases or primary bone tumors, causing severe discomfort and significantly diminishing cancer patients' quality of life and confidence in their ability to overcome the disease. It is widely known that peripheral nerves are responsible for detecting harmful stimuli, which are then transmitted to the brain via the spinal cord, resulting in the perception of pain. In the case of bone cancer, tumors and stromal cells within the bone marrow release various chemical signals, including inflammatory factors, colony-stimulating factors, chemokines, and hydrogen ions. Consequently, the nociceptors located at the nerve endings within the bone marrow sense these chemical signals, generating electrical signals that are then transmitted to the brain through the spinal cord. Subsequently, the brain processes these electrical signals in a complex manner to create the sensation of bone cancer pain. Numerous studies have investigated the transmission of bone cancer pain from the periphery to the spinal cord. However, the processing of pain information induced by bone cancer within the brain remains unclear. With the continuous advancements in brain science and technology, the brain mechanism of bone cancer pain would become more clearly understood. Herein, we focus on summarizing the peripheral nerve perception of the spinal cord transmission of bone cancer pain and provide a brief overview of the ongoing research regarding the brain mechanisms involved in bone cancer pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yang
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, No. 1882 Zhong-Huan-Nan Road, Jiaxing, 314001, China
| | - Beibei Liu
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, No. 1882 Zhong-Huan-Nan Road, Jiaxing, 314001, China
| | - Shang Zheng
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, No. 1882 Zhong-Huan-Nan Road, Jiaxing, 314001, China
| | - Longsheng Xu
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, No. 1882 Zhong-Huan-Nan Road, Jiaxing, 314001, China.
| | - Ming Yao
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, No. 1882 Zhong-Huan-Nan Road, Jiaxing, 314001, China.
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Galindo-Paredes G, Flores G, Morales-Medina JC. Olfactory bulbectomy induces nociceptive alterations associated with gliosis in male rats. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2023; 14:494-506. [PMID: 37388490 PMCID: PMC10300455 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2023.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a major health concern worldwide with a wide array of symptoms. Emerging evidence suggests a high comorbidity between MDD and chronic pain, however, the relationship between these two diseases is not completely understood. Growing evidence suggests that glial cells play a key role in both disorders. Hence, we examined the effect of olfactory bulbectomy (OBX), a well-known model of depression-related behavior, on nociceptive behaviors and the number and morphology of astrocytes and glial cells in brain regions involved in the control of nociceptive processes in male rats. The brain regions analyzed included the basolateral amygdala (BLA), central amygdala (CeA), prefrontal cortex (PFC), and CA1 subregion of the hippocampus. A battery of behavioral tests, mechanical allodynia, thermal cold allodynia and mechanical hyperalgesia, was evaluated before and four weeks after OBX. Quantitative morphological analysis, as well as assessment of the number of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ionizing calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) positive astrocytes and microglia were carried out to characterize glial remodeling and density, respectively. OBX caused mechanical and cold allodynia in an asynchronous pattern. The cold allodynia was noticeable one week following surgery, while mechanical allodynia became apparent two weeks after surgery. In the BLA, CeA and CA1, OBX caused significant changes in glial cells, such as hypertrophy and hypotrophy in GFAP-positive astrocytes and Iba1-positive microglia, respectively. Iba1-positive microglia in the PFC underwent selective hypotrophy due to OBX and OBX enhanced both GFAP-positive astrocytes and Iba1-positive microglia in the BLA. In addition, OBX increased the number of GFAP-positive astrocytes in the CeA and CA1. The amount of Iba1-positive microglia in the PFC also increased as a result of OBX. Furthermore, we found that there was a strong link between the observed behaviors and glial activation in OBX rats. Overall, our work supports the neuroinflammatory hypothesis of MDD and the comorbidity between pain and depression by demonstrating nociceptive impairment and significant microglial and astrocytic activation in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gumaro Galindo-Paredes
- Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, CINVESTAV-Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, AP 62, CP 90000 Tlaxcala, Mexico
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biofísica y Neurociencias, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Cinvestav del IPN, Av. IPN 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, 07360 Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Gonzalo Flores
- Lab. Neuropsiquiatría, Instituto de Fisiología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, 14 Sur 6301, San Manuel 72570, Puebla, Mexico
| | - Julio César Morales-Medina
- Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, CINVESTAV-Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, AP 62, CP 90000 Tlaxcala, Mexico
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