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Ke J, Lu WC, Jing HY, Qian S, Moon SW, Cui GF, Qian WX, Che XJ, Zhang Q, Lai SS, Zhang L, Zhu YJ, Xie JD, Huang TW. Functional dissection of parabrachial substrates in processing nociceptive information. Zool Res 2024; 45:633-647. [PMID: 38766746 PMCID: PMC11188607 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2023.412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Painful stimuli elicit first-line reflexive defensive reactions and, in many cases, also evoke second-line recuperative behaviors, the latter of which reflects the sensing of tissue damage and the alleviation of suffering. The lateral parabrachial nucleus (lPBN), composed of external- (elPBN), dorsal- (dlPBN), and central/superior-subnuclei (jointly referred to as slPBN), receives sensory inputs from spinal projection neurons and plays important roles in processing affective information from external threats and body integrity disruption. However, the organizational rules of lPBN neurons that provoke diverse behaviors in response to different painful stimuli from cutaneous and deep tissues remain unclear. In this study, we used region-specific neuronal depletion or silencing approaches combined with a battery of behavioral assays to show that slPBN neurons expressing substance P receptor ( NK1R) (lPBN NK1R) are crucial for driving pain-associated self-care behaviors evoked by sustained noxious thermal and mechanical stimuli applied to skin or bone/muscle, while elPBN neurons are dispensable for driving such reactions. Notably, lPBN NK1R neurons are specifically required for forming sustained somatic pain-induced negative teaching signals and aversive memory but are not necessary for fear-learning or escape behaviors elicited by external threats. Lastly, both lPBN NK1R and elPBN neurons contribute to chemical irritant-induced nocifensive reactions. Our results reveal the functional organization of parabrachial substrates that drive distinct behavioral outcomes in response to sustained pain versus external danger under physiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Ke
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wei-Cheng Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China
| | - Hai-Yang Jing
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Shen Qian
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Sun-Wook Moon
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Guang-Fu Cui
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Wei-Xin Qian
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Xiao-Jing Che
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen University General Hospital and Shenzhen University Academy of Clinical Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Shi-Shi Lai
- School of Medicine, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Ying-Jie Zhu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China. E-mail:
| | - Jing-Dun Xie
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China. E-mail:
| | - Tian-Wen Huang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China. E-mail:
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2
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Mishra G, Townsend KL. Sensory nerve and neuropeptide diversity in adipose tissues. Mol Cells 2024; 47:100030. [PMID: 38364960 PMCID: PMC10960112 DOI: 10.1016/j.mocell.2024.100030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Both brown and white adipose tissues (BAT/WAT) are innervated by the peripheral nervous system, including efferent sympathetic nerves that communicate from the brain/central nervous system out to the tissue, and afferent sensory nerves that communicate from the tissue back to the brain and locally release neuropeptides to the tissue upon stimulation. This bidirectional neural communication is important for energy balance and metabolic control, as well as maintaining adipose tissue health through processes like browning (development of metabolically healthy brown adipocytes in WAT), thermogenesis, lipolysis, and adipogenesis. Decades of sensory nerve denervation studies have demonstrated the particular importance of adipose sensory nerves for brown adipose tissue and WAT functions, but far less is known about the tissue's sensory innervation compared to the better-studied sympathetic nerves and their neurotransmitter norepinephrine. In this review, we cover what is known and not yet known about sensory nerve activities in adipose, focusing on their effector neuropeptide actions in the tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gargi Mishra
- Department of Neurological Surgery, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Kristy L Townsend
- Department of Neurological Surgery, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
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3
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Yu H, Usoskin D, Nagi SS, Hu Y, Kupari J, Bouchatta O, Cranfill SL, Gautam M, Su Y, Lu Y, Wymer J, Glanz M, Albrecht P, Song H, Ming GL, Prouty S, Seykora J, Wu H, Ma M, Rice FL, Olausson H, Ernfors P, Luo W. Single-Soma Deep RNA sequencing of Human DRG Neurons Reveals Novel Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms Underlying Somatosensation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.17.533207. [PMID: 36993480 PMCID: PMC10055202 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.17.533207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The versatility of somatosensation arises from heterogeneous dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. However, soma transcriptomes of individual human DRG (hDRG) neurons-critical in-formation to decipher their functions-are lacking due to technical difficulties. Here, we developed a novel approach to isolate individual hDRG neuron somas for deep RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). On average, >9,000 unique genes per neuron were detected, and 16 neuronal types were identified. Cross-species analyses revealed remarkable divergence among pain-sensing neurons and the existence of human-specific nociceptor types. Our deep RNA-seq dataset was especially powerful for providing insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying human somatosensation and identifying high potential novel drug targets. Our dataset also guided the selection of molecular markers to visualize different types of human afferents and the discovery of novel functional properties using single-cell in vivo electrophysiological recordings. In summary, by employing a novel soma sequencing method, we generated an unprecedented hDRG neuron atlas, providing new insights into human somatosensation, establishing a critical foundation for translational work, and clarifying human species-species properties.
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4
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Kupari J, Ernfors P. Molecular taxonomy of nociceptors and pruriceptors. Pain 2023; 164:1245-1257. [PMID: 36718807 PMCID: PMC10184562 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jussi Kupari
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Patrik Ernfors
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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5
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Wang L, Su X, Yan J, Wu Q, Xu X, Wang X, Liu X, Song X, Zhang Z, Hu W, Liu X, Zhang Y. Involvement of Mrgprd-expressing nociceptors-recruited spinal mechanisms in nerve injury-induced mechanical allodynia. iScience 2023; 26:106764. [PMID: 37250305 PMCID: PMC10214713 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106764] [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: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia are intractable symptoms lacking effective clinical treatments in patients with neuropathic pain. However, whether and how mechanically responsive non-peptidergic nociceptors are involved remains elusive. Here, we showed that von Frey-evoked static allodynia and aversion, along with mechanical hyperalgesia after spared nerve injury (SNI) were reduced by ablation of MrgprdCreERT2-marked neurons. Electrophysiological recordings revealed that SNI-opened Aβ-fiber inputs to laminae I-IIo and vIIi, as well as C-fiber inputs to vIIi, were all attenuated in Mrgprd-ablated mice. In addition, priming chemogenetic or optogenetic activation of Mrgprd+ neurons drove mechanical allodynia and aversion to low-threshold mechanical stimuli, along with mechanical hyperalgesia. Mechanistically, gated Aβ and C inputs to vIIi were opened, potentially via central sensitization by dampening potassium currents. Altogether, we uncovered the involvement of Mrgprd+ nociceptors in nerve injury-induced mechanical pain and dissected the underlying spinal mechanisms, thus providing insights into potential therapeutic targets for pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangbiao Wang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
| | - Xiaojing Su
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
| | - Jinjin Yan
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
| | - Qiaofeng Wu
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
| | - Xiang Xu
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
| | - Xinyue Wang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
| | - Xiaoqing Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Song
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Zhi Zhang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
| | - Xinfeng Liu
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
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6
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Ueda T, Watanabe M, Miwa Y, Shibata Y, Kumamoto N, Ugawa S. Vascular endothelial growth factor-A is involved in intramuscular carrageenan-induced cutaneous mechanical hyperalgesia through the vascular endothelial growth factor-A receptor 1 and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 pathways. Neuroreport 2023; 34:238-248. [PMID: 36789844 PMCID: PMC10516176 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) plays a leading role in angiogenesis and pain hypersensitivity in cancer and chronic pain. It is not only induced by ischemic conditions but is also highly correlated with proalgesic cytokines, both of which are prominent in inflammatory muscle pain. However, the molecular basis of the involvement of VEGF-A in muscle pain remains unknown. METHODS In the present study, we performed behavioral and pharmacological analyses to determine the possible involvement of VEGF-A in the development of inflammatory muscle pain and the associated signal transduction pathway. RESULTS Unilateral intramuscular injection of carrageenan, a classical model of inflammatory muscle pain, increased VEGF-A gene expression in the tissues surrounding the injection site. Intramuscular administration of recombinant VEGF-A165 on the same side induced cutaneous mechanical hyperalgesia during the acute and subacute phases. The application of a specific VEGFR1 antibody on the same side significantly reduced the mechanical hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan or VEGF-A165 injection, whereas both a VEGFR2-neutralizing antibody and a VEGFR2 antagonist showed limited effects. Local preinjection of capsazepine, a transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) antagonist, also inhibited VEGF-A165-induced hyperalgesia. Finally, intramuscular VEGF-A165-induced mechanical hyperalgesia was not found in TRPV1 knockout mice during the subacute phase. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that inflammatory stimuli increase interstitial VEGF-A165, which in turn induces cutaneous mechanical pain via the VEGFR1-mediated TRPV1 nociceptive pathway during inflammatory muscle pain. VEGFR1 could be a novel therapeutic target for inflammation-induced muscle pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Ueda
- Department of Neuroscience and Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Mizuho-Cho, Mizuho-Ku, Nagoya, Aichi
| | - Masaya Watanabe
- Department of Neuroscience and Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Mizuho-Cho, Mizuho-Ku, Nagoya, Aichi
- Institute of Physiology and Medicine, Jobu University, Shinmachi, Takasaki, Gunma, Japan
| | - Youko Miwa
- Department of Neuroscience and Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Mizuho-Cho, Mizuho-Ku, Nagoya, Aichi
| | - Yasuhiro Shibata
- Department of Neuroscience and Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Mizuho-Cho, Mizuho-Ku, Nagoya, Aichi
| | - Natsuko Kumamoto
- Department of Neuroscience and Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Mizuho-Cho, Mizuho-Ku, Nagoya, Aichi
| | - Shinya Ugawa
- Department of Neuroscience and Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Mizuho-Cho, Mizuho-Ku, Nagoya, Aichi
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7
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Ma Q. Somatotopic organization of autonomic reflexes by acupuncture. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2022; 76:102602. [PMID: 35780689 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2022.102602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Acupuncture has been practiced for more than 2000 years in China and now all over the world. One core idea behind this medical practice is that stimulation at specific body regions (acupoints) can distantly modulate organ physiology, but the underlying scientific basis has been long debated. Here, I summarize evidence supporting that long-distant acupuncture effects operate partly through somato-autonomic reflexes, leading to activation of sympathetic and/or parasympathetic pathways. I then discuss how the patterning of the somatosensory system along the rostro-caudal axis and the cutaneous-deep tissue axis might explain acupoint specificity and selectivity in driving specific autonomic pathways, particularly those modulating gastrointestinal motility and systemic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiufu Ma
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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8
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Ma Q. A functional subdivision within the somatosensory system and its implications for pain research. Neuron 2022; 110:749-769. [PMID: 35016037 PMCID: PMC8897275 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Somatosensory afferents are traditionally classified by soma size, myelination, and their response specificity to external and internal stimuli. Here, we propose the functional subdivision of the nociceptive somatosensory system into two branches. The exteroceptive branch detects external threats and drives reflexive-defensive reactions to prevent or limit injury. The interoceptive branch senses the disruption of body integrity, produces tonic pain with strong aversive emotional components, and drives self-caring responses toward to the injured region to reduce suffering. The central thesis behind this functional subdivision comes from a reflection on the dilemma faced by the pain research field, namely, the use of reflexive-defensive behaviors as surrogate assays for interoceptive tonic pain. The interpretation of these assays is now being challenged by the discovery of distinct but interwoven circuits that drive exteroceptive versus interoceptive types of behaviors, with the conflation of these two components contributing partially to the poor translation of therapies from preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiufu Ma
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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9
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Liu S, Wang Z, Su Y, Qi L, Yang W, Fu M, Jing X, Wang Y, Ma Q. A neuroanatomical basis for electroacupuncture to drive the vagal-adrenal axis. Nature 2021; 598:641-645. [PMID: 34646018 PMCID: PMC9178665 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04001-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 270] [Impact Index Per Article: 90.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Somatosensory autonomic reflexes allow electroacupuncture stimulation (ES) to modulate body physiology at distant sites1-6 (for example, suppressing severe systemic inflammation6-9). Since the 1970s, an emerging organizational rule about these reflexes has been the presence of body-region specificity1-6. For example, ES at the hindlimb ST36 acupoint but not the abdominal ST25 acupoint can drive the vagal-adrenal anti-inflammatory axis in mice10,11. The neuroanatomical basis of this somatotopic organization is, however, unknown. Here we show that PROKR2Cre-marked sensory neurons, which innervate the deep hindlimb fascia (for example, the periosteum) but not abdominal fascia (for example, the peritoneum), are crucial for driving the vagal-adrenal axis. Low-intensity ES at the ST36 site in mice with ablated PROKR2Cre-marked sensory neurons failed to activate hindbrain vagal efferent neurons or to drive catecholamine release from adrenal glands. As a result, ES no longer suppressed systemic inflammation induced by bacterial endotoxins. By contrast, spinal sympathetic reflexes evoked by high-intensity ES at both ST25 and ST36 sites were unaffected. We also show that optogenetic stimulation of PROKR2Cre-marked nerve terminals through the ST36 site is sufficient to drive the vagal-adrenal axis but not sympathetic reflexes. Furthermore, the distribution patterns of PROKR2Cre nerve fibres can retrospectively predict body regions at which low-intensity ES will or will not effectively produce anti-inflammatory effects. Our studies provide a neuroanatomical basis for the selectivity and specificity of acupoints in driving specific autonomic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenbin Liu
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhifu Wang
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yangshuai Su
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Meridians Research Center, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lu Qi
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Wei Yang
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mingzhou Fu
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xianghong Jing
- Meridians Research Center, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanqing Wang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiufu Ma
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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10
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Abstract
Primary nociceptors are a heterogeneous class of peripheral somatosensory neurons, responsible for detecting noxious, pruriceptive, and thermal stimuli. These neurons are further divided into several molecularly defined subtypes that correlate with their functional sensory modalities and morphological features. During development, all nociceptors arise from a common pool of embryonic precursors, and then segregate progressively into their mature specialized phenotypes. In this review, we summarize the intrinsic transcriptional programs and extrinsic trophic factor signaling mechanisms that interact to control nociceptor diversification. We also discuss how recent transcriptome profiling studies have significantly advanced the field of sensory neuron development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suna L Cranfill
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Wenqin Luo
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
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11
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Vermeiren S, Bellefroid EJ, Desiderio S. Vertebrate Sensory Ganglia: Common and Divergent Features of the Transcriptional Programs Generating Their Functional Specialization. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:587699. [PMID: 33195244 PMCID: PMC7649826 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.587699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensory fibers of the peripheral nervous system carry sensation from specific sense structures or use different tissues and organs as receptive fields, and convey this information to the central nervous system. In the head of vertebrates, each cranial sensory ganglia and associated nerves perform specific functions. Sensory ganglia are composed of different types of specialized neurons in which two broad categories can be distinguished, somatosensory neurons relaying all sensations that are felt and visceral sensory neurons sensing the internal milieu and controlling body homeostasis. While in the trunk somatosensory neurons composing the dorsal root ganglia are derived exclusively from neural crest cells, somato- and visceral sensory neurons of cranial sensory ganglia have a dual origin, with contributions from both neural crest and placodes. As most studies on sensory neurogenesis have focused on dorsal root ganglia, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the embryonic development of the different cranial sensory ganglia remains today rudimentary. However, using single-cell RNA sequencing, recent studies have made significant advances in the characterization of the neuronal diversity of most sensory ganglia. Here we summarize the general anatomy, function and neuronal diversity of cranial sensory ganglia. We then provide an overview of our current knowledge of the transcriptional networks controlling neurogenesis and neuronal diversification in the developing sensory system, focusing on cranial sensory ganglia, highlighting specific aspects of their development and comparing it to that of trunk sensory ganglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Vermeiren
- ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Eric J Bellefroid
- ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Simon Desiderio
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, INSERM U1051, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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12
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Devigili G, Rinaldo S, Lombardi R, Cazzato D, Marchi M, Salvi E, Eleopra R, Lauria G. Diagnostic criteria for small fibre neuropathy in clinical practice and research. Brain 2019; 142:3728-3736. [PMID: 31665231 PMCID: PMC6906595 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awz333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 07/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The diagnostic criteria for small fibre neuropathy are not established, influencing the approach to patients in clinical practice, their access to disease-modifying and symptomatic treatments, the use of healthcare resources, and the design of clinical trials. To address these issues, we performed a reappraisal study of 150 patients with sensory neuropathy and a prospective and follow-up validation study of 352 new subjects with suspected sensory neuropathy. Small fibre neuropathy diagnostic criteria were based on deep clinical phenotyping, quantitative sensory testing (QST) and intraepidermal nerve fibre density (IENFD). Small fibre neuropathy was ruled out in 5 of 150 patients (3.3%) of the reappraisal study. Small fibre neuropathy was diagnosed at baseline of the validation study in 149 of 352 patients (42.4%) based on the combination between two clinical signs and abnormal QST and IENFD (69.1%), abnormal QST alone (5.4%), or abnormal IENFD alone (20.1%). Eight patients (5.4%) had abnormal QST and IENFD but no clinical signs. Further, 38 patients complained of sensory symptoms but showed no clinical signs. Of those, 34 (89.4%) had normal QST and IENFD, 4 (10.5%) had abnormal QST and normal IENFD, and none had abnormal IENFD alone. At 18-month follow-up, 19 of them (56%) reported the complete recovery of symptoms and showed normal clinical, QST and IENFD findings. None of those with one single abnormal test (QST or IENFD) developed clinical signs or showed abnormal findings on the other test. Conversely, all eight patients with abnormal QST and IENFD at baseline developed clinical signs at follow-up. The combination of clinical signs and abnormal QST and/or IENFD findings can more reliably lead to the diagnosis of small fibre neuropathy than the combination of abnormal QST and IENFD findings in the absence of clinical signs. Sensory symptoms alone should not be considered a reliable screening feature. Our findings demonstrate that the combined clinical, functional and structural approach to the diagnosis of small fibre neuropathy is reliable and relevant both for clinical practice and clinical trial design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grazia Devigili
- Movement Disorders Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Rinaldo
- Movement Disorders Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”, Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaella Lombardi
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Cazzato
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”, Milan, Italy
| | - Margherita Marchi
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”, Milan, Italy
| | - Erika Salvi
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Eleopra
- Movement Disorders Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lauria
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco”, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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13
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Mevel R, Draper JE, Lie-A-Ling M, Kouskoff V, Lacaud G. RUNX transcription factors: orchestrators of development. Development 2019; 146:dev148296. [PMID: 31488508 DOI: 10.1242/dev.148296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
RUNX transcription factors orchestrate many different aspects of biology, including basic cellular and developmental processes, stem cell biology and tumorigenesis. In this Primer, we introduce the molecular hallmarks of the three mammalian RUNX genes, RUNX1, RUNX2 and RUNX3, and discuss the regulation of their activities and their mechanisms of action. We then review their crucial roles in the specification and maintenance of a wide array of tissues during embryonic development and adult homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renaud Mevel
- Cancer Research UK Stem Cell Biology Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park, Alderley Edge, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Julia E Draper
- Cancer Research UK Stem Cell Biology Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park, Alderley Edge, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Michael Lie-A-Ling
- Cancer Research UK Stem Cell Biology Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park, Alderley Edge, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Valerie Kouskoff
- Division of Developmental Biology & Medicine, The University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Georges Lacaud
- Cancer Research UK Stem Cell Biology Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park, Alderley Edge, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, UK
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14
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Human carbonic anhydrase-8 AAV8 gene therapy inhibits nerve growth factor signaling producing prolonged analgesia and anti-hyperalgesia in mice. Gene Ther 2018; 25:297-311. [PMID: 29789638 PMCID: PMC6063772 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-018-0018-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Revised: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Carbonic anhydrase-8 (Car8; murine gene symbol) is an allosteric inhibitor of inositol trisphosphate receptor-1 (ITPR1), which regulates neuronal intracellular calcium release. We previously reported that wildtype Car8 overexpression corrects the baseline allodynia and hyperalgesia associated with calcium dysregulation in the waddle (wdl) mouse due to a 19 bp deletion in exon 8 of the Car8 gene. In this report, we provide preliminary evidence that overexpression of the human wildtype ortholog of Car8 (CA8WT), but not the reported CA8 S100P loss-of-function mutation (CA8MT); inhibits nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced phosphorylation of ITPR1, TrkA (NGF high affinity receptor); and ITPR1-mediated cytoplasmic free calcium release in vitro. Additionally, we show that gene-transfer using AAV8-V5-CA8WT viral particles via sciatic nerve injection demonstrates retrograde transport to dorsal root ganglia (DRG) producing prolonged V5-CA8WT expression, pITPR1 and pTrkA inhibition, and profound analgesia and anti-hyperalgesia in male C57BL/6J mice. AAV8-V5-CA8WT mediated overexpression prevented and treated allodynia and hyperalgesia associated with chronic neuropathic pain produced by the spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model. These AAV8-V5-CA8 data provide a proof-of-concept for precision medicine through targeted gene therapy of NGF-responsive somatosensory neurons as a long-acting local analgesic able to prevent and treat chronic neuropathic pain through regulating TrkA signaling, ITPR1 activation, and intracellular free calcium release by ITPR1.
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15
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Carlin D, Golden JP, Mogha A, Samineni VK, Monk KR, Gereau RW, Cavalli V. Deletion of Tsc2 in Nociceptors Reduces Target Innervation, Ion Channel Expression, and Sensitivity to Heat. eNeuro 2018; 5:ENEURO.0436-17.2018. [PMID: 29766046 PMCID: PMC5952427 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0436-17.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is known to regulate cellular growth pathways, and its genetic activation is sufficient to enhance regenerative axon growth following injury to the central or peripheral nervous systems. However, excess mTORC1 activation may promote innervation defects, and mTORC1 activity mediates injury-induced hypersensitivity, reducing enthusiasm for the pathway as a therapeutic target. While mTORC1 activity is required for full expression of some pain modalities, the effects of pathway activation on nociceptor phenotypes and sensory behaviors are currently unknown. To address this, we genetically activated mTORC1 in mouse peripheral sensory neurons by conditional deletion of its negative regulator Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 (Tsc2). Consistent with the well-known role of mTORC1 in regulating cell size, soma size and axon diameter of C-nociceptors were increased in Tsc2-deleted mice. Glabrous skin and spinal cord innervation by C-fiber neurons were also disrupted. Transcriptional profiling of nociceptors enriched by fluorescence-associated cell sorting (FACS) revealed downregulation of multiple classes of ion channels as well as reduced expression of markers for peptidergic nociceptors in Tsc2-deleted mice. In addition to these changes in innervation and gene expression, Tsc2-deleted mice exhibited reduced noxious heat sensitivity and decreased injury-induced cold hypersensitivity, but normal baseline sensitivity to cold and mechanical stimuli. Together, these data show that excess mTORC1 activity in sensory neurons produces changes in gene expression, neuron morphology and sensory behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Carlin
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Judith P. Golden
- Washington University Pain Center and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Amit Mogha
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Vijay K. Samineni
- Washington University Pain Center and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Kelly R. Monk
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Robert W. Gereau
- Washington University Pain Center and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Valeria Cavalli
- Department of Neuroscience, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
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16
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Tomasello DL, Hurley E, Wrabetz L, Bhattacharjee A. Slick (Kcnt2) Sodium-Activated Potassium Channels Limit Peptidergic Nociceptor Excitability and Hyperalgesia. J Exp Neurosci 2017; 11:1179069517726996. [PMID: 28943756 PMCID: PMC5602212 DOI: 10.1177/1179069517726996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The Slick (Kcnt2) sodium-activated potassium (KNa) channel is a rapidly gating and weakly voltage-dependent and sodium-dependent potassium channel with no clearly defined physiological function. Within the dorsal root ganglia (DRGs), we show Slick channels are exclusively expressed in small-sized and medium-sized calcitonin gene–related peptide (CGRP)-containing DRG neurons, and a pool of channels are localized to large dense-core vesicles (LDCV)-containing CGRP. We stimulated DRG neurons for CGRP release and found Slick channels contained within CGRP-positive LDCV translocated to the neuronal membrane. Behavioral studies in Slick knockout (KO) mice indicated increased basal heat detection and exacerbated thermal hyperalgesia compared with wild-type littermate controls during neuropathic and chronic inflammatory pain. Electrophysiologic recordings of DRG neurons from Slick KO mice revealed that Slick channels contribute to outward current, propensity to fire action potentials (APs), and to AP properties. Our data suggest that Slick channels restrain the excitability of CGRP-containing neurons, diminishing pain behavior after inflammation and injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle L Tomasello
- Neuroscience Program, The State University of New York - University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Edward Hurley
- Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The State University of New York - University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Lawrence Wrabetz
- Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The State University of New York - University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Arin Bhattacharjee
- Neuroscience Program, The State University of New York - University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The State University of New York - University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
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17
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Castro J, Harrington AM, Garcia-Caraballo S, Maddern J, Grundy L, Zhang J, Page G, Miller PE, Craik DJ, Adams DJ, Brierley SM. α-Conotoxin Vc1.1 inhibits human dorsal root ganglion neuroexcitability and mouse colonic nociception via GABA B receptors. Gut 2017; 66:1083-1094. [PMID: 26887818 PMCID: PMC5532460 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2015-310971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Revised: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE α-Conotoxin Vc1.1 is a small disulfide-bonded peptide from the venom of the marine cone snail Conus victoriae. Vc1.1 has antinociceptive actions in animal models of neuropathic pain, but its applicability to inhibiting human dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuroexcitability and reducing chronic visceral pain (CVP) is unknown. DESIGN We determined the inhibitory actions of Vc1.1 on human DRG neurons and on mouse colonic sensory afferents in healthy and chronic visceral hypersensitivity (CVH) states. In mice, visceral nociception was assessed by neuronal activation within the spinal cord in response to noxious colorectal distension (CRD). Quantitative-reverse-transcription-PCR, single-cell-reverse-transcription-PCR and immunohistochemistry determined γ-aminobutyric acid receptor B (GABABR) and voltage-gated calcium channel (CaV2.2, CaV2.3) expression in human and mouse DRG neurons. RESULTS Vc1.1 reduced the excitability of human DRG neurons, whereas a synthetic Vc1.1 analogue that is inactive at GABABR did not. Human DRG neurons expressed GABABR and its downstream effector channels CaV2.2 and CaV2.3. Mouse colonic DRG neurons exhibited high GABABR, CaV2.2 and CaV2.3 expression, with upregulation of the CaV2.2 exon-37a variant during CVH. Vc1.1 inhibited mouse colonic afferents ex vivo and nociceptive signalling of noxious CRD into the spinal cord in vivo, with greatest efficacy observed during CVH. A selective GABABR antagonist prevented Vc1.1-induced inhibition, whereas blocking both CaV2.2 and CaV2.3 caused inhibition comparable with Vc1.1 alone. CONCLUSIONS Vc1.1-mediated activation of GABABR is a novel mechanism for reducing the excitability of human DRG neurons. Vc1.1-induced activation of GABABR on the peripheral endings of colonic afferents reduces nociceptive signalling. The enhanced antinociceptive actions of Vc1.1 during CVH suggest it is a novel candidate for the treatment for CVP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Castro
- Visceral Pain Group, Centre for Nutrition and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Discipline of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Andrea M Harrington
- Visceral Pain Group, Centre for Nutrition and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Discipline of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Sonia Garcia-Caraballo
- Visceral Pain Group, Centre for Nutrition and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Discipline of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jessica Maddern
- Visceral Pain Group, Centre for Nutrition and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Discipline of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Luke Grundy
- Visceral Pain Group, Centre for Nutrition and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Discipline of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | | | - Guy Page
- Anabios, San Diego, California, USA
| | | | - David J Craik
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - David J Adams
- Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Stuart M Brierley
- Visceral Pain Group, Centre for Nutrition and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Discipline of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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18
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Martinelli-Boneschi F, Colombi M, Castori M, Devigili G, Eleopra R, Malik RA, Ritelli M, Zoppi N, Dordoni C, Sorosina M, Grammatico P, Fadavi H, Gerrits MM, Almomani R, Faber CG, Merkies ISJ, Toniolo D, Cocca M, Doglioni C, Waxman SG, Dib-Hajj SD, Taiana MM, Sassone J, Lombardi R, Cazzato D, Zauli A, Santoro S, Marchi M, Lauria G. COL6A5 variants in familial neuropathic chronic itch. Brain 2017; 140:555-567. [PMID: 28073787 DOI: 10.1093/brain/aww343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Itch is thought to represent the peculiar response to stimuli conveyed by somatosensory pathways shared with pain through the activation of specific neurons and receptors. It can occur in association with dermatological, systemic and neurological diseases, or be the side effect of certain drugs. However, some patients suffer from chronic idiopathic itch that is frequently ascribed to psychological distress and for which no biomarker is available to date. We investigated three multigenerational families, one of which diagnosed with joint hypermobility syndrome/Ehlers-Danlos syndrome hypermobility type (JHS/EDS-HT), characterized by idiopathic chronic itch with predominantly proximal distribution. Skin biopsy was performed in all eight affected members and revealed in six of them reduced intraepidermal nerve fibre density consistent with small fibre neuropathy. Whole exome sequencing identified two COL6A5 rare variants co-segregating with chronic itch in eight affected members and absent in non-affected members, and in one unrelated sporadic patient with type 1 painless diabetic neuropathy and chronic itch. Two families and the diabetic patient carried the nonsense c.6814G>T (p.Glu2272*) variant and another family carried the missense c.6486G>C (p.Arg2162Ser) variant. Both variants were predicted as likely pathogenic by in silico analyses. The two variants were rare (minor allele frequency < 0.1%) in 6271 healthy controls and absent in 77 small fibre neuropathy and 167 JHS/EDS-HT patients without itch. Null-allele test on cDNA from patients' fibroblasts of both families carrying the nonsense variant demonstrated functional haploinsufficiency due to activation of nonsense mediated RNA decay. Immunofluorescence microscopy and western blotting revealed marked disorganization and reduced COL6A5 synthesis, respectively. Indirect immunofluorescence showed reduced COL6A5 expression in the skin of patients carrying the nonsense variant. Treatment with gabapentinoids provided satisfactory itch relief in the patients carrying the mutations. Our findings first revealed an association between COL6A5 gene and familiar chronic itch, suggesting a new contributor to the pathogenesis of neuropathic itch and identifying a new candidate therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Martinelli-Boneschi
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Neurological Disorders and Department of Neurology, Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSPE), Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Marina Colombi
- Division of Biology and Genetics, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marco Castori
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Grazia Devigili
- Neurological Unit, University-Hospital "S. Maria della Misericordia", Udine, Italy
| | - Roberto Eleopra
- Neurological Unit, University-Hospital "S. Maria della Misericordia", Udine, Italy
| | - Rayaz A Malik
- Institute of Human Development, Centre for Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Manchester and Central Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Marco Ritelli
- Division of Biology and Genetics, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Zoppi
- Division of Biology and Genetics, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Chiara Dordoni
- Division of Biology and Genetics, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Melissa Sorosina
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Neurological Disorders and Department of Neurology, Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSPE), Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Grammatico
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Hassan Fadavi
- Institute of Human Development, Centre for Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Manchester and Central Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Monique M Gerrits
- Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Rowida Almomani
- Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Catharina G Faber
- Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ingemar S J Merkies
- Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Massimiliano Cocca
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34100 Trieste, Italy
| | - Claudio Doglioni
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Stephen G Waxman
- Department of Neurology and Center for Neuroscience and regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06515, USA.,Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, West Haven, CT 06515, USA
| | - Sulayman D Dib-Hajj
- Department of Neurology and Center for Neuroscience and regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06515, USA.,Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, West Haven, CT 06515, USA
| | - Michela M Taiana
- Neuroalgology Unit and Skin Biopsy, Peripheral Neuropathy and Neuropathic Pain Center, IRCCS Foundation "Carlo Besta" Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Jenny Sassone
- Neuroalgology Unit and Skin Biopsy, Peripheral Neuropathy and Neuropathic Pain Center, IRCCS Foundation "Carlo Besta" Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaella Lombardi
- Neuroalgology Unit and Skin Biopsy, Peripheral Neuropathy and Neuropathic Pain Center, IRCCS Foundation "Carlo Besta" Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Cazzato
- Neuroalgology Unit and Skin Biopsy, Peripheral Neuropathy and Neuropathic Pain Center, IRCCS Foundation "Carlo Besta" Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Zauli
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Neurological Disorders and Department of Neurology, Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSPE), Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Santoro
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Neurological Disorders and Department of Neurology, Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSPE), Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Margherita Marchi
- Neuroalgology Unit and Skin Biopsy, Peripheral Neuropathy and Neuropathic Pain Center, IRCCS Foundation "Carlo Besta" Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lauria
- Neuroalgology Unit and Skin Biopsy, Peripheral Neuropathy and Neuropathic Pain Center, IRCCS Foundation "Carlo Besta" Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
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19
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Hierarchical Specification of Pruriceptors by Runt-Domain Transcription Factor Runx1. J Neurosci 2017; 37:5549-5561. [PMID: 28476948 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0094-17.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The somatic sensory neurons in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) detect and transmit a diverse array of sensory modalities, such as pain, itch, cold, warm, touch, and others. Recent genetic and single-cell RNA sequencing studies have revealed a group of DRG neurons that could be particularly relevant for acute and chronic itch information transmission. They express the natriuretic peptide type B (NPPB), as well as a cohort of receptors and neuropeptides that have been implicated in chronic itch manifestation, including the interleukin-31 receptor A (IL-31ra) and its coreceptor oncostatin M receptor (Osmr), the cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 2 (Cysltr2), somatostatin, and neurotensin. However, how these neurons are generated during development remains unclear. Here we report that Runx1 is required to establish all these molecular features of NPPB+ neurons. We further show that while early embryonic Runx1 activity is required for the formation of NPPB+ cells, at later stages Runx1 switches to a genetic repressor and thus its downregulation becomes a prerequisite for the proper development of these pruriceptors. This mode by Runx1 is analogous to that in controlling another group of pruriceptors that specifically express the chloroquine receptor MrgprA3. Finally, behavioral studies using both sexes of mice revealed marked deficits in processing acute and chronic itch in Runx1 conditional knock-out mice, possibly attributable to impaired development of various pruriceptors.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Our studies reveal a generalized control mode by Runx1 for pruriceptor development and consolidate a hierarchical control mechanism for the formation of sensory neurons transmitting distinct modalities. Among dorsal root ganglion neurons that initially express the neurotrophin receptor TrkA, Runx1 is necessary for the proper development of those neurons that innervate tissues derived from the ectoderm such as skin epidermis and hair follicles. These Runx1-dependent cutaneous sensory neurons are then divided into two groups based on persistent or transient Runx1 expression. The Runx1-persistent group is involved in transmitting mechanical and thermal information, whereas the Runx1-transient group transmits pruriceptive information. Such hierarchical control mechanisms may provide a developmental solution for the formation of sensory circuits that transmit distinct modalities.
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20
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Munro G, Jansen-Olesen I, Olesen J. Animal models of pain and migraine in drug discovery. Drug Discov Today 2017; 22:1103-1111. [PMID: 28476535 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2017.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Revised: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Preclinical research activities in relation to pain typically involve the 'holy trinity' of nociceptive, inflammatory and neuropathic pain for purposes of target validation and defining target product profiles of novel analgesic compounds. For some reason it seems that headache or migraine are rarely considered as additional entities to explore. Frontline medications used in the treatment of, for example, inflammatory pain, neuropathic pain and migraine (NSAIDs versus pregabalin/duloxetine versus triptans) reveal distinct differences in pathophysiology that partially explain this approach. Nevertheless, for many patients enduring chronic pain, regardless of aetiology, high unmet needs remain. By focusing more on commonalities shared between neuropathic pain and headache disorders such as migraine, drug discovery efforts could be spread more efficiently across a larger indication area. Here, some of the most commonly used models and methods employed within 'pain and migraine' drug development will be presented. Recent advances within these disciplines suggest that, with the addition of a few extra carefully chosen ancillary models and/or endpoints, the relative value in terms of resources used, reciprocal flow of information and net worth of a 'typical' package could be increased substantially for the pain and migraine fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon Munro
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Glostrup Research Institute, Nordre Ringvej 69, 2600 Glostrup, Denmark.
| | - Inger Jansen-Olesen
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Glostrup Research Institute, Nordre Ringvej 69, 2600 Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Jes Olesen
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Glostrup Research Institute, Nordre Ringvej 69, 2600 Glostrup, Denmark
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21
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Wang JW, Stifani S. Roles of Runx Genes in Nervous System Development. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 962:103-116. [PMID: 28299654 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-10-3233-2_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Runt-related (Runx) transcription factors play essential roles during development and adult tissue homeostasis and are responsible for several human diseases. They regulate a variety of biological mechanisms in numerous cell lineages. Recent years have seen significant progress in our understanding of the functions performed by Runx proteins in the developing and postnatal mammalian nervous system. In both central and peripheral nervous systems, Runx1 and Runx3 display remarkably specific expression in mostly non-overlapping groups of postmitotic neurons. In the central nervous system, Runx1 is involved in the development of selected motor neurons controlling neural circuits mediating vital functions such as chewing, swallowing, breathing, and locomotion. In the peripheral nervous system, Runx1 and Runx3 play essential roles during the development of sensory neurons involved in circuits mediating pain, itch, thermal sensation and sense of relative position. Runx1 and Runx3 orchestrate complex gene expression programs controlling neuronal subtype specification and axonal connectivity. Runx1 is also important in the olfactory system, where it regulates the progenitor-to-neuron transition in undifferentiated neural progenitor cells in the olfactory epithelium as well as the proliferation and developmental maturation of specific glial cells termed olfactory ensheathing cells. Moreover, upregulated Runx expression is associated with brain injury and disease. Increasing knowledge of the functions of Runx proteins in the developing and postnatal nervous system is therefore expected to improve our understanding of nervous system development, homeostasis and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Woong Wang
- Montreal Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A2B4, Canada
| | - Stefano Stifani
- Montreal Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A2B4, Canada.
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22
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Yoshikawa M, Masuda T, Kobayashi A, Senzaki K, Ozaki S, Aizawa S, Shiga T. Runx1 contributes to the functional switching of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) from neurite outgrowth promoting to suppressing in dorsal root ganglion. Mol Cell Neurosci 2016; 72:114-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2016.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2015] [Revised: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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23
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Medici T, Shortland PJ. Effects of peripheral nerve injury on parvalbumin expression in adult rat dorsal root ganglion neurons. BMC Neurosci 2015; 16:93. [PMID: 26674138 PMCID: PMC4681077 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-015-0232-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Parvalbumin (PV) is a calcium binding protein that identifies a subpopulation of proprioceptive dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is also expressed in a high proportion of muscle afferents but its relationship to PV is unclear. Little is known of the phenotypic responses of muscle afferents to nerve injury. Sciatic nerve axotomy or L5 spinal nerve ligation and section (SNL) lesions were used to explore these issues in adult rats using immunocytochemistry. Results In naive animals, the mean PV expression was 25 % of L4 or L5 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, and this was unchanged 2 weeks after sciatic nerve axotomy. Colocalization studies with the injury marker activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) showed that approximately 24 % of PV neurons expressed ATF3 after sciatic nerve axotomy suggesting that PV may show a phenotypic switch from injured to uninjured neurons. This possibility was further assessed using the spinal nerve ligation (SNL) injury model where injured and uninjured neurons are located in different DRGs. Two weeks after L5 SNL there was no change in total PV staining and essentially all L5 PV neurons expressed ATF3. Additionally, there was no increase in PV-ir in the adjacent uninjured L4 DRG cells. Co-labelling of DRG neurons revealed that less than 2 % of PV neurons normally expressed CGRP and no colocalization was seen after injury. Conclusion These experiments clearly show that axotomy does not produce down regulation of PV protein in the DRG. Moreover, this lack of change is not due to a phenotypic switch in PV immunoreactive (ir) neurons, or de novo expression of PV-ir in uninjured neurons after nerve injury. These results further illustrate differences that occur when muscle afferents are injured as compared to cutaneous afferents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Medici
- Centre for Neuroscience and Trauma, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Newark Street, London, E1 2AT, UK. .,Queens Hospital, Romford, Essex, RM7 0AG, UK.
| | - Peter J Shortland
- School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Narellen Road, Campbelltown, NSW, 2560, Australia. .,Centre for Neuroscience and Trauma, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Newark Street, London, E1 2AT, UK.
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24
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Lautenschläger G, Habig K, Best C, Kaps M, Elam M, Birklein F, Krämer HH. The impact of baroreflex function on endogenous pain control: a microneurography study. Eur J Neurosci 2015; 42:2996-3003. [DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gothje Lautenschläger
- Department of Neurology; Justus-Liebig-University; Klinikstraße 33 Giessen 35392 Germany
| | - Kathrin Habig
- Department of Neurology; Justus-Liebig-University; Klinikstraße 33 Giessen 35392 Germany
| | - Christoph Best
- Department of Neurology; Philipps University; Marburg Germany
| | - Manfred Kaps
- Department of Neurology; Justus-Liebig-University; Klinikstraße 33 Giessen 35392 Germany
| | - Mikael Elam
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology; The Sahlgrenska Academy of Gothenburg University; Gothenburg Sweden
| | - Frank Birklein
- Department of Neurology; University Medical Center; Johannes Gutenberg-University; Mainz Germany
| | - Heidrun H. Krämer
- Department of Neurology; Justus-Liebig-University; Klinikstraße 33 Giessen 35392 Germany
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25
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Bex3 Dimerization Regulates NGF-Dependent Neuronal Survival and Differentiation by Enhancing trkA Gene Transcription. J Neurosci 2015; 35:7190-202. [PMID: 25948268 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4646-14.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of the nervous system is a temporally and spatially coordinated process that relies on the proper regulation of the genes involved. Neurotrophins and their receptors are directly responsible for the survival and differentiation of sensory and sympathetic neurons; however, it is not fully understood how genes encoding Trk neurotrophin receptors are regulated. Here, we show that rat Bex3 protein specifically regulates TrkA expression by acting at the trkA gene promoter level. Bex3 dimerization and shuttling to the nucleus regulate the transcription of the trkA promoter under basal conditions and also enhance nerve growth factor (NGF)-mediated trkA promoter activation. Moreover, qChIP assays indicate that Bex3 associates with the trkA promoter within a 150 bp sequence, immediately upstream from the transcription start site, which is sufficient to mediate the effects of Bex3. Consequently, the downregulation of Bex3 using shRNA increases neuronal apoptosis in NGF-dependent sensory neurons deprived of NGF and compromises PC12 cell differentiation in response to NGF. Our results support an important role for Bex3 in the regulation of TrkA expression and in NGF-mediated functions through modulation of the trkA promoter.
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26
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Incoherent feed-forward regulatory loops control segregation of C-mechanoreceptors, nociceptors, and pruriceptors. J Neurosci 2015; 35:5317-29. [PMID: 25834056 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0122-15.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian skin is innervated by diverse, unmyelinated C fibers that are associated with senses of pain, itch, temperature, or touch. A key developmental question is how this neuronal cell diversity is generated during development. We reported previously that the runt domain transcription factor Runx1 is required to coordinate the development of these unmyelinated cutaneous sensory neurons, including VGLUT3(+) low-threshold c-mechanoreceptors (CLTMs), MrgprD(+) polymodal nociceptors, MrgprA3(+) pruriceptors, MrgprB4(+) c-mechanoreceptors, and others. However, how these Runx1-dependent cutaneous sensory neurons are further segregated is poorly illustrated. Here, we find that the Runx1-dependent transcription factor gene Zfp521 is expressed in, and required for establishing molecular features that define, VGLUT3(+) CLTMs. Furthermore, Runx1 and Zfp521 form a classic incoherent feedforward loop (I-FFL) in controlling molecular identities that normally belong to MrgprD(+) neurons, with Runx1 and Zfp51 playing activator and repressor roles, respectively (in genetic terms). A knock-out of Zfp521 allows prospective VGLUT3 lineage neurons to acquire MrgprD(+) neuron identities. Furthermore, Runx1 might form other I-FFLs to regulate the expression of MrgprA3 and MrgprB4, a mechanism preventing these genes from being expressed in Runx1-persistent VGLUT3(+) and MrgprD(+) neurons. The evolvement of these I-FFLs provides an explanation for how modality-selective sensory subtypes are formed during development and may also have intriguing implications for sensory neuron evolution and sensory coding.
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27
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Ogihara Y, Masuda T, Ozaki S, Yoshikawa M, Shiga T. Runx3-regulated expression of two Ntrk3 transcript variants in dorsal root ganglion neurons. Dev Neurobiol 2015; 76:313-22. [PMID: 26061886 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2015] [Revised: 05/24/2015] [Accepted: 06/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Somatosensation is divided into proprioception and cutaneous sensation. Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons project their fibers toward peripheral targets including muscles and skin, and centrally to the spinal cord. Proprioceptive DRG neurons transmit information from muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs to the spinal cord. We previously showed that Runt-related transcription factor 3 (Runx3) is expressed in these neurons and their projections to the ventral spinal cord and muscle spindles are lost in Runx3-deficient (Runx3(-/-) ) mouse embryos. Although Runx3 is likely to contribute to the fate decision and projection of proprioceptive DRG neurons, the precise roles for Runx3 in these phenomena are unknown. To identify genes regulated by Runx3 in embryonic DRGs, we performed microarray analyses using cDNAs isolated from wild-type and Runx3(-/-) DRGs of embryonic day (E) 12.5 and selected two transcript variants of the tyrosine kinase receptor C (TrkC) gene. These variants, Ntrk3 variant 1 (Ntrk3-v1) and variant 2 (Ntrk3-v2), encode full-length and truncated receptors of neurotrophin-3, respectively. Using double in situ hybridization, we found that most of Ntrk3-v1 mRNA expression in E14.5 DRGs depended on Runx3 but that more than half of Ntrk3-v2 mRNA one were expressed in a Runx3-independent manner. Furthermore, our data revealed that the rate of Ntrk3-v1 and Ntrk3-v2 colocalization in DRGs changed from E14.5 to E18.5. Together, our data suggest that Runx3 may play a crucial role in the development of DRGs by regulating the expression of Ntrk3 variants and that DRG neurons expressing Ntrk3-v1 but not Ntrk3-v2 may differentiate into proprioceptive ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuuki Ogihara
- Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,Doctoral Program in Kansei, Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Masuda
- Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,Doctoral Program in Kansei, Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Shigeru Ozaki
- Doctoral Program in Kansei, Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Masaaki Yoshikawa
- Division of Anatomical Science, Department of Functional Morphology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Shiga
- Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,Doctoral Program in Kansei, Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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28
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Greenwood-Van Meerveld B, Prusator DK, Johnson AC. Animal models of gastrointestinal and liver diseases. Animal models of visceral pain: pathophysiology, translational relevance, and challenges. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2015; 308:G885-903. [PMID: 25767262 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00463.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 03/11/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Visceral pain describes pain emanating from the thoracic, pelvic, or abdominal organs. In contrast to somatic pain, visceral pain is generally vague, poorly localized, and characterized by hypersensitivity to a stimulus such as organ distension. Animal models have played a pivotal role in our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of visceral pain. This review focuses on animal models of visceral pain and their translational relevance. In addition, the challenges of using animal models to develop novel therapeutic approaches to treat visceral pain will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beverley Greenwood-Van Meerveld
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Dawn K Prusator
- Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Anthony C Johnson
- Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
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29
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Abstract
In this issue of Neuron, Foster et al. (2015) show that ablating, silencing, or activating spinal glycinergic inhibitory neurons with viral vectors all have dramatic effects on pain and itch. These results provide molecular insights into pain gate control and useful tools for the rapid analysis of other CNS circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhao
- Molecular Nociception Group, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - John N Wood
- Molecular Nociception Group, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
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30
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Yoshikawa M, Hirabayashi M, Ito R, Ozaki S, Aizawa S, Masuda T, Senzaki K, Shiga T. Contribution of the Runx1 transcription factor to axonal pathfinding and muscle innervation by hypoglossal motoneurons. Dev Neurobiol 2015; 75:1295-314. [PMID: 25762373 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Revised: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 03/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The runt-related transcription factor Runx1 contributes to cell type specification and axonal targeting projections of the nociceptive dorsal root ganglion neurons. Runx1 is also expressed in the central nervous system, but little is known of its functions in brain development. At mouse embryonic day (E) 17.5, Runx1-positive neurons were detected in the ventrocaudal subdivision of the hypoglossal nucleus. Runx1-positive neurons lacked calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) expression, whereas Runx1-negative neurons expressed CGRP. Expression of CGRP was not changed in Runx1-deficient mice at E17.5, suggesting that Runx1 alone does not suppress CGRP expression. Hypoglossal axon projections to the intrinsic vertical (V) and transverse (T) tongue muscles were sparser in Runx1-deficient mice at E17.5 compared to age-matched wild-type littermates. Concomitantly, vesicular acetylcholine transporter-positive axon terminals and acetylcholine receptor clusters were less dense in the V and T tongue muscles of Runx1-deficient mice. These abnormalities in axonal projection were not caused by a reduction in the total number hypoglossal neurons, failed synaptogenesis, or tongue muscles deficits. Our results implicate Runx1 in the targeting of ventrocaudal hypoglossal axons to specific tongue muscles. However, Runx1 deficiency did not alter neuronal survival or the expression of multiple motoneuron markers as in other neuronal populations. Thus, Runx1 appears to have distinct developmental functions in different brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaaki Yoshikawa
- Division of Anatomical Science, Department of Functional Morphology, Nihon University School of Medicine, 30-1 Oyaguchi-Kamicho, Itabashi, Tokyo, 173-8610, Japan.,Doctoral Program in Kansei, Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan
| | - Mizuki Hirabayashi
- Doctoral Program in Kansei, Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan
| | - Ryota Ito
- Doctoral Program in Kansei, Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan
| | - Shigeru Ozaki
- Doctoral Program in Kansei, Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan
| | - Shin Aizawa
- Division of Anatomical Science, Department of Functional Morphology, Nihon University School of Medicine, 30-1 Oyaguchi-Kamicho, Itabashi, Tokyo, 173-8610, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Masuda
- Doctoral Program in Kansei, Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan
| | - Kouji Senzaki
- Doctoral Program in Kansei, Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan
| | - Takashi Shiga
- Doctoral Program in Kansei, Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan
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31
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Santiago C, Bashaw GJ. Transcription factors and effectors that regulate neuronal morphology. Development 2015; 141:4667-80. [PMID: 25468936 DOI: 10.1242/dev.110817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Transcription factors establish the tremendous diversity of cell types in the nervous system by regulating the expression of genes that give a cell its morphological and functional properties. Although many studies have identified requirements for specific transcription factors during the different steps of neural circuit assembly, few have identified the downstream effectors by which they control neuronal morphology. In this Review, we highlight recent work that has elucidated the functional relationships between transcription factors and the downstream effectors through which they regulate neural connectivity in multiple model systems, with a focus on axon guidance and dendrite morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celine Santiago
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Greg J Bashaw
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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32
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Thakur M, Crow M, Richards N, Davey GIJ, Levine E, Kelleher JH, Agley CC, Denk F, Harridge SDR, McMahon SB. Defining the nociceptor transcriptome. Front Mol Neurosci 2014; 7:87. [PMID: 25426020 PMCID: PMC4227287 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2014.00087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 10/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Unbiased "omics" techniques, such as next generation RNA-sequencing, can provide entirely novel insights into biological systems. However, cellular heterogeneity presents a significant barrier to analysis and interpretation of these datasets. The neurons of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) are an important model for studies of neuronal injury, regeneration and pain. The majority of investigators utilize a dissociated preparation of whole ganglia when studying cellular and molecular function. We demonstrate that the standard methods for producing these preparations gives a 10%-neuronal mixture of cells, with the remainder of cells constituting satellite glia and other non-neuronal cell types. Using a novel application of magnetic purification, we consistently obtain over 95% pure, viable neurons from adult tissue, significantly enriched for small diameter nociceptors expressing the voltage gated ion channel Nav1.8. Using genome-wide RNA-sequencing we compare the currently used (10% neuronal) and pure (95% nociceptor) preparations and find 920 genes enriched. This gives an unprecedented insight into the molecular composition of small nociceptive neurons in the DRG, potentially altering the interpretation of previous studies performed at the tissue level, and indicating a number of novel markers of this widely-studied population of cells. We anticipate that the ease of use, affordability and speed of this technique will see it become widely adopted, delivering a greatly improved capacity to study the roles of nociceptors in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Thakur
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King's College LondonLondon, UK
| | - Megan Crow
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King's College LondonLondon, UK
| | - Natalie Richards
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King's College LondonLondon, UK
| | - Gareth I. J. Davey
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King's College LondonLondon, UK
| | - Emma Levine
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King's College LondonLondon, UK
| | - Jayne H. Kelleher
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King's College LondonLondon, UK
| | - Chibeza C. Agley
- Centre of Human and Aerospace Physiological Sciences, King's College LondonLondon, UK
| | - Franziska Denk
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King's College LondonLondon, UK
| | | | - Stephen B. McMahon
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King's College LondonLondon, UK
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33
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Moqrich A. Peripheral Pain-Sensing Neurons: from Molecular Diversity to Functional Specialization. Cell Rep 2014; 6:245-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
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