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Wu X, Yang L, Li Z, Gu C, Jin K, Luo A, Rasheed NF, Fiutak I, Chao K, Chen A, Mao J, Chen Q, Ding W, Shen S. Aging-associated decrease of PGC-1α promotes pain chronification. Aging Cell 2024:e14177. [PMID: 38760908 DOI: 10.1111/acel.14177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Aging is generally associated with declining somatosensory function, which seems at odds with the high prevalence of chronic pain in older people. This discrepancy is partly related to the high prevalence of degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis in older people. However, whether aging alters pain processing in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1), and if so, whether it promotes pain chronification is largely unknown. Herein, we report that older mice displayed prolonged nociceptive behavior following nerve injury when compared with mature adult mice. The expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) in S1 was decreased in older mice, whereas PGC-1α haploinsufficiency promoted prolonged nociceptive behavior after nerve injury. Both aging and PGC-1α haploinsufficiency led to abnormal S1 neural dynamics, revealed by intravital two-photon calcium imaging. Manipulating S1 neural dynamics affected nociceptive behavior after nerve injury: chemogenetic inhibition of S1 interneurons aggravated nociceptive behavior in naive mice; chemogenetic activation of S1 interneurons alleviated nociceptive behavior in older mice. More interestingly, adeno-associated virus-mediated expression of PGC-1α in S1 interneurons ameliorated aging-associated chronification of nociceptive behavior as well as aging-related S1 neural dynamic changes. Taken together, our results showed that aging-associated decrease of PGC-1α promotes pain chronification, which might be harnessed to alleviate the burden of chronic pain in older individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinbo Wu
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Liuyue Yang
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Zihua Li
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chengzheng Gu
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kaiyan Jin
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andrew Luo
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Kristina Chao
- Summer Intern Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amy Chen
- Summer Intern Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jianren Mao
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Qian Chen
- Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Shanghai, China
| | - Weihua Ding
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shiqian Shen
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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2
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Condon LF, Yu Y, Park S, Cao F, Pauli JL, Nelson TS, Palmiter RD. Parabrachial Calca neurons drive nociplasticity. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114057. [PMID: 38583149 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Pain that persists beyond the time required for tissue healing and pain that arises in the absence of tissue injury, collectively referred to as nociplastic pain, are poorly understood phenomena mediated by plasticity within the central nervous system. The parabrachial nucleus (PBN) is a hub that relays aversive sensory information and appears to play a role in nociplasticity. Here, by preventing PBN Calca neurons from releasing neurotransmitters, we demonstrate that activation of Calca neurons is necessary for the manifestation and maintenance of chronic pain. Additionally, by directly stimulating Calca neurons, we demonstrate that Calca neuron activity is sufficient to drive nociplasticity. Aversive stimuli of multiple sensory modalities, such as exposure to nitroglycerin, cisplatin, or lithium chloride, can drive nociplasticity in a Calca-neuron-dependent manner. Aversive events drive nociplasticity in Calca neurons in the form of increased activity and excitability; however, neuroplasticity also appears to occur in downstream circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan F Condon
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Departments of Biochemistry and Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Ying Yu
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Departments of Biochemistry and Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Sekun Park
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Departments of Biochemistry and Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Feng Cao
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Departments of Biochemistry and Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jordan L Pauli
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Departments of Biochemistry and Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Tyler S Nelson
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Richard D Palmiter
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Departments of Biochemistry and Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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3
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Malapert P, Robert G, Brunet E, Chemin J, Bourinet E, Moqrich A. A novel Na v1.8-FLPo driver mouse for intersectional genetics to uncover the functional significance of primary sensory neuron diversity. iScience 2024; 27:109396. [PMID: 38510134 PMCID: PMC10952036 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The recent development of single-cell and single-nucleus RNA sequencing has highlighted the extraordinary diversity of dorsal root ganglia neurons. However, the few available genetic tools limit our understanding of the functional significance of this heterogeneity. We generated a new mouse line expressing the flippase recombinase from the scn10a locus. By crossing Nav1.8Ires-FLPo mice with the AdvillinCre and RC::FL-hM3Dq mouse lines in an intersectional genetics approach, we were able to obtain somatodendritic expression of hM3Dq-mCherry selectively in the Nav1.8 lineage. The bath application of clozapine N-oxide triggered strong calcium responses selectively in mCherry+ neurons. The intraplantar injection of CNO caused robust flinching, shaking, and biting responses accompanied by strong cFos activation in the ipsilateral lumbar spinal cord. The Nav1.8Ires-FLPo mouse model will be a valuable tool for extending our understanding of the in vivo functional specialization of neuronal subsets of the Nav1.8 lineage for which inducible Cre lines are available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascale Malapert
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille, UMR 7288, case 907, 13288 Marseille Cedex 09, Marseille, France
| | - Guillaume Robert
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille, UMR 7288, case 907, 13288 Marseille Cedex 09, Marseille, France
| | - Elena Brunet
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille, UMR 7288, case 907, 13288 Marseille Cedex 09, Marseille, France
| | - Jean Chemin
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Emmanuel Bourinet
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Aziz Moqrich
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille, UMR 7288, case 907, 13288 Marseille Cedex 09, Marseille, France
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4
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Targowska-Duda KM, Peters D, Marcus JL, Zribi G, Toll L, Ozawa A. Functional and anatomical analyses of active spinal circuits in a mouse model of chronic pain. Pain 2024; 165:685-697. [PMID: 37820238 PMCID: PMC10922047 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Decades of efforts in elucidating pain mechanisms, including pharmacological, neuroanatomical, and physiological studies have provided insights into how nociceptive information transmits from the periphery to the brain and the locations receiving nociceptive signals. However, little is known about which specific stimulus-dependent activated neurons, amongst heterogeneous neural environments, discriminatively evoke the cognate pain behavior. We here shed light on the population of neurons in the spinal cord activated by a painful stimulus to identify chronic pain-dependent activated neuronal subsets using Fos2A-iCreER (TRAP2) mice. We have found a large number of neurons activated by a normally nonpainful stimulus in the spinal cord of spinal nerve-ligated mice, compared with sham. Neuronal activation was observed in laminae I and II outer under heat hyperalgesia. A large number of neurons in laminae II inner were activated in both mechanical allodynia and heat hyperalgesia conditions, while mechanical allodynia tends to be the only stimulus that activates cells at lamina II inner dorsal region. Neuroanatomical analyses using spinal cell markers identified a large number of spinal inhibitory neurons that are recruited by both mechanical allodynia and heat hyperalgesia. Of interest, spinal neurons expressing calretinin, calbindin, and parvalbumin were activated differently with distinct pain modalities (ie, mechanical allodynia vs heat hyperalgesia). Chemogenetic inhibition of those activated neurons significantly and specifically reduced the response to the pain stimulus associated with the stimulus modality originally given to the animals. These findings support the idea that spinal neuronal ensembles underlying nociceptive transmission undergo dynamic changes to regulate selective pain responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna M. Targowska-Duda
- Department of Biomedical Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, United States
- Department of Biopharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, 20-093, Poland
| | - Darian Peters
- Department of Biomedical Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, United States
| | - Jason L. Marcus
- Department of Biomedical Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, United States
| | - Gilles Zribi
- Department of Biomedical Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, United States
| | - Lawrence Toll
- Department of Biomedical Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, United States
- Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Akihiko Ozawa
- Department of Biomedical Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, United States
- Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
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5
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Rankin G, Chirila AM, Emanuel AJ, Zhang Z, Woolf CJ, Drugowitsch J, Ginty DD. Nerve injury disrupts temporal processing in the spinal cord dorsal horn through alterations in PV + interneurons. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113718. [PMID: 38294904 PMCID: PMC11101906 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
How mechanical allodynia following nerve injury is encoded in patterns of neural activity in the spinal cord dorsal horn (DH) remains incompletely understood. We address this in mice using the spared nerve injury model of neuropathic pain and in vivo electrophysiological recordings. Surprisingly, despite dramatic behavioral over-reactivity to mechanical stimuli following nerve injury, an overall increase in sensitivity or reactivity of DH neurons is not observed. We do, however, observe a marked decrease in correlated neural firing patterns, including the synchrony of mechanical stimulus-evoked firing, across the DH. Alterations in DH temporal firing patterns are recapitulated by silencing DH parvalbumin+ (PV+) interneurons, previously implicated in mechanical allodynia, as are allodynic pain-like behaviors. These findings reveal decorrelated DH network activity, driven by alterations in PV+ interneurons, as a prominent feature of neuropathic pain and suggest restoration of proper temporal activity as a potential therapeutic strategy to treat chronic neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genelle Rankin
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Anda M Chirila
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alan J Emanuel
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Zihe Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Clifford J Woolf
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jan Drugowitsch
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - David D Ginty
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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6
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Charron A, Pepino L, Malapert P, Debrauwer V, Castets F, Salio C, Moqrich A. Sex-related exacerbation of injury-induced mechanical hypersensitivity in GAD67 haplodeficient mice. Pain 2024; 165:192-201. [PMID: 37578506 PMCID: PMC10723643 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003012] [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: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Decreased GABA levels in injury-induced loss of spinal inhibition are still under intense interest and debate. Here, we show that GAD67 haplodeficient mice exhibited a prolonged injury-induced mechanical hypersensitivity in postoperative, inflammatory, and neuropathic pain models. In line with this, we found that loss of 1 copy of the GAD67-encoding gene Gad1 causes a significant decrease in GABA contents in spinal GABAergic neuronal profiles. Consequently, GAD67 haplodeficient males and females were unresponsive to the analgesic effect of diazepam. Remarkably, all these phenotypes were more pronounced in GAD67 haplodeficient females. These mice had significantly much lower amount of spinal GABA content, exhibited an exacerbated pain phenotype during the second phase of the formalin test, developed a longer lasting mechanical hypersensitivity in the chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve model, and were unresponsive to the pain relief effect of the GABA-transaminase inhibitor phenylethylidenehydrazine. Our study provides strong evidence for a role of GABA levels in the modulation of injury-induced mechanical pain and suggests a potential role of the GABAergic system in the prevalence of some painful diseases among females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aude Charron
- Aix-Marseille-université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille, UMR 7288, Case 907, Marseille, France
| | - Lucie Pepino
- Aix-Marseille-université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille, UMR 7288, Case 907, Marseille, France
| | - Pascale Malapert
- Aix-Marseille-université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille, UMR 7288, Case 907, Marseille, France
| | - Vincent Debrauwer
- Aix-Marseille-université, CNRS, Institut des Sciences Moléculaires de Marseille, UMR 7313, Campus Scientifique de St Jérôme, Marseille, France
| | - Francis Castets
- Aix-Marseille-université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille, UMR 7288, Case 907, Marseille, France
| | - Chiara Salio
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Aziz Moqrich
- Aix-Marseille-université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille, UMR 7288, Case 907, Marseille, France
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7
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Fujiwara Y, Koga K, Nakamura NH, Maruo K, Tachibana T, Furue H. Optogenetic inhibition of spinal inhibitory neurons facilitates mechanical responses of spinal wide dynamic range neurons and causes mechanical hypersensitivity. Neuropharmacology 2024; 242:109763. [PMID: 37852319 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109763] [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: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Inhibitory interneurons in the spinal dorsal horn (DH) play a major role in regulating innocuous and noxious information. Reduction in inhibitory synaptic transmission is thought to contribute to the development of touch-evoked pain (allodynia), a common symptom of neuropathic pain. However, it is not fully understood how inhibitory neurons in the DH regulate sensory responses in surrounding neurons and modulate sensory transmission. In this study, we established a novel experimental method to analyze temporal activity of DH neurons during the optogenetically induced disinhibition state by combining extracellular recording and optogenetics. We investigated how specific and temporally restricted dysfunction of DH inhibitory neurons affected spinal neuronal activities evoked by cutaneous mechanical stimulation. In behavioral experiments, the specific and temporally restricted spinal optogenetic suppression of DH inhibitory neurons induced mechanical hypersensitivity. Furthermore, this manipulation enhanced the mechanical responses of wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons, which are important for pain transmission, in response to brush and von Frey stimulation but not in response to nociceptive pinch stimulation. In addition, we examined whether a neuropathic pain medication, mirogabalin, suppressed these optogenetically induced abnormal pain responses. We found that mirogabalin treatment attenuated the abnormal firing responses of WDR neurons and mechanical hypersensitivity. These results suggest that temporally restricted and specific reduction of spinal inhibitory neuronal activity facilitates the mechanical responses of WDR neurons, resulting in neuropathic-like mechanical allodynia which can be suppressed by mirogabalin. Our optogenetic methods could be useful for developing novel therapeutics for neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuka Fujiwara
- Department of Neurophysiology, Hyogo Medical University, 1-1 Mukogawa, Nishinomiya, 663-8501, Japan; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hyogo Medical University, 1-1 Mukogawa, Nishinomiya, 663-8501, Japan
| | - Keisuke Koga
- Department of Neurophysiology, Hyogo Medical University, 1-1 Mukogawa, Nishinomiya, 663-8501, Japan.
| | - Nozomu H Nakamura
- Department of Physiology, Hyogo Medical University, 1-1, Mukogawa, Nishinomiya, 663-8501, Japan
| | - Keishi Maruo
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hyogo Medical University, 1-1 Mukogawa, Nishinomiya, 663-8501, Japan
| | - Toshiya Tachibana
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hyogo Medical University, 1-1 Mukogawa, Nishinomiya, 663-8501, Japan.
| | - Hidemasa Furue
- Department of Neurophysiology, Hyogo Medical University, 1-1 Mukogawa, Nishinomiya, 663-8501, Japan
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8
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Veshchitskii A, Merkulyeva N. Calcium-binding protein parvalbumin in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia. Neurochem Int 2023; 171:105634. [PMID: 37967669 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2023.105634] [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: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Parvalbumin is one of the calcium-binding proteins. In the spinal cord, it is mainly expressed in inhibitory neurons; in the dorsal root ganglia, it is expressed in proprioceptive neurons. In contrast to in the brain, weak systematization of parvalbumin-expressing neurons occurs in the spinal cord. The aim of this paper is to provide a systematic review of parvalbumin-expressing neuronal populations throughout the spinal cord and the dorsal root ganglia of mammals, regarding their mapping, co-expression with some functional markers. The data reviewed are mostly concerning rodentia species because they are predominantly presented in literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandr Veshchitskii
- Neuromorphology Lab, Pavlov Institute of Physiology Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Natalia Merkulyeva
- Neuromorphology Lab, Pavlov Institute of Physiology Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Russia.
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9
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Nelson TS, Allen HN, Basu P, Prasoon P, Nguyen E, Arokiaraj CM, Santos DF, Seal RP, Ross SE, Todd AJ, Taylor BK. Alleviation of neuropathic pain with neuropeptide Y requires spinal Npy1r interneurons that coexpress Grp. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e169554. [PMID: 37824208 PMCID: PMC10721324 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.169554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptide Y targets the Y1 receptor (Y1) in the spinal dorsal horn (DH) to produce endogenous and exogenous analgesia. DH interneurons that express Y1 (Y1-INs; encoded by Npy1r) are necessary and sufficient for neuropathic hypersensitivity after peripheral nerve injury. However, as Y1-INs are heterogenous in composition in terms of morphology, neurophysiological characteristics, and gene expression, we hypothesized that a more precisely defined subpopulation mediates neuropathic hypersensitivity. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization, we found that Y1-INs segregate into 3 largely nonoverlapping subpopulations defined by the coexpression of Npy1r with gastrin-releasing peptide (Grp/Npy1r), neuropeptide FF (Npff/Npy1r), and cholecystokinin (Cck/Npy1r) in the superficial DH of mice, nonhuman primates, and humans. Next, we analyzed the functional significance of Grp/Npy1r, Npff/Npy1r, and Cck/Npy1r INs to neuropathic pain using a mouse model of peripheral nerve injury. We found that chemogenetic inhibition of Npff/Npy1r-INs did not change the behavioral signs of neuropathic pain. Further, inhibition of Y1-INs with an intrathecal Y1 agonist, [Leu31, Pro34]-NPY, reduced neuropathic hypersensitivity in mice with conditional deletion of Npy1r from CCK-INs and NPFF-INs but not from GRP-INs. We conclude that Grp/Npy1r-INs are conserved in higher order mammalian species and represent a promising and precise pharmacotherapeutic target for the treatment of neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler S. Nelson
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
- Pittsburgh Project to end Opioid Misuse
- Center for Neuroscience
| | - Heather N. Allen
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
- Pittsburgh Project to end Opioid Misuse
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, and
| | - Paramita Basu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
- Pittsburgh Project to end Opioid Misuse
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, and
| | - Pranav Prasoon
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
- Pittsburgh Project to end Opioid Misuse
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, and
| | - Eileen Nguyen
- Center for Neuroscience
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, and
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Cynthia M. Arokiaraj
- Center for Neuroscience
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, and
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Diogo F.S. Santos
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
- Pittsburgh Project to end Opioid Misuse
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, and
| | - Rebecca P. Seal
- Center for Neuroscience
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, and
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sarah E. Ross
- Center for Neuroscience
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, and
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Andrew J. Todd
- Spinal Cord Group, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Bradley K. Taylor
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
- Pittsburgh Project to end Opioid Misuse
- Center for Neuroscience
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, and
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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10
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Gilabert D, Duveau A, Carracedo S, Linck N, Langla A, Muramatsu R, Koch-Nolte F, Rassendren F, Grutter T, Fossat P, Boué-Grabot E, Ulmann L. Microglial P2X4 receptors are essential for spinal neurons hyperexcitability and tactile allodynia in male and female neuropathic mice. iScience 2023; 26:108110. [PMID: 37860691 PMCID: PMC10583052 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In neuropathic pain, recent evidence has highlighted a sex-dependent role of the P2X4 receptor in spinal microglia in the development of tactile allodynia following nerve injury. Here, using internalization-defective P2X4mCherryIN knockin mice (P2X4KI), we demonstrate that increased cell surface expression of P2X4 induces hypersensitivity to mechanical stimulations and hyperexcitability in spinal cord neurons of both male and female naive mice. During neuropathy, both wild-type (WT) and P2X4KI mice of both sexes develop tactile allodynia accompanied by spinal neuron hyperexcitability. These responses are selectively associated with P2X4, as they are absent in global P2X4KO or myeloid-specific P2X4KO mice. We show that P2X4 is de novo expressed in reactive microglia in neuropathic WT and P2X4KI mice of both sexes and that tactile allodynia is relieved by pharmacological blockade of P2X4 or TrkB. These results show that the upregulation of P2X4 in microglia is crucial for neuropathic pain, regardless of sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien Gilabert
- IGF, University Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, F-34094 Montpellier, France
- LabEx Ion Channel Science and Therapeutics, Montpellier, France
| | - Alexia Duveau
- University Bordeaux, CNRS, IMN, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Sara Carracedo
- University Bordeaux, CNRS, IMN, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Nathalie Linck
- IGF, University Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, F-34094 Montpellier, France
- LabEx Ion Channel Science and Therapeutics, Montpellier, France
| | - Adeline Langla
- University Bordeaux, CNRS, IMN, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Rieko Muramatsu
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8502, Japan
| | - Friedrich Koch-Nolte
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - François Rassendren
- IGF, University Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, F-34094 Montpellier, France
- LabEx Ion Channel Science and Therapeutics, Montpellier, France
| | - Thomas Grutter
- University of Strasbourg, CNRS, CAMB UMR 7199, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Pascal Fossat
- University Bordeaux, CNRS, IMN, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Eric Boué-Grabot
- University Bordeaux, CNRS, IMN, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Lauriane Ulmann
- IGF, University Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, F-34094 Montpellier, France
- LabEx Ion Channel Science and Therapeutics, Montpellier, France
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11
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Gilbert JE, Zhang T, Esteller R, Grill WM. Network model of nociceptive processing in the superficial spinal dorsal horn reveals mechanisms of hyperalgesia, allodynia, and spinal cord stimulation. J Neurophysiol 2023; 130:1103-1117. [PMID: 37727912 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00186.2023] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The spinal dorsal horn (DH) processes sensory information and plays a key role in transmitting nociception to supraspinal centers. Loss of DH inhibition during neuropathic pain unmasks a pathway from nonnociceptive Aβ-afferent inputs to superficial dorsal horn (SDH) nociceptive-specific (NS) projection neurons, and this change may contribute to hyperalgesia and allodynia. We developed and validated a computational model of SDH neuronal circuitry that links nonnociceptive Aβ-afferent inputs in lamina II/III to a NS projection neuron in lamina I via a network of excitatory interneurons. The excitatory pathway and the NS projection neuron were in turn gated by inhibitory interneurons with connections based on prior patch-clamp recordings. Changing synaptic weights in the computational model to replicate neuropathic pain states unmasked a low-threshold excitatory pathway to NS neurons similar to experimental recordings. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an effective therapy for neuropathic pain, and accumulating experimental evidence indicates that NS neurons in the SDH also respond to SCS. Accounting for these responses may inform therapeutic improvements, and we quantified responses to SCS in the SDH network model and examined the role of different modes of inhibitory control in modulating NS neuron responses to SCS. We combined the SDH network model with a previously published model of the deep dorsal horn (DDH) and identified optimal stimulation frequencies across different neuropathic pain conditions. Finally, we found that SCS-generated inhibition did not completely suppress model NS activity during simulated pinch inputs, providing an explanation of why SCS does not eliminate acute pain.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Chronic pain is a severe public health problem that reduces the quality of life for those affected and exacts an enormous socio-economic burden worldwide. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an effective treatment for chronic pain, but SCS efficacy has not significantly improved over time, in part because the mechanisms of action remain unclear. Most preclinical studies investigating pain and SCS mechanisms have focused on the responses of deep dorsal horn (DDH) neurons, but neural networks in the superficial dorsal horn (SDH) are also important for processing nociceptive information. This work synthesizes heterogeneous experimental recordings from the SDH into a computational model that replicates experimental responses and that can be used to quantify neuronal responses to SCS under neuropathic pain conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E Gilbert
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Tianhe Zhang
- Neuromodulation Research and Advanced Concepts, Boston Scientific Neuromodulation, Valencia, California, United States
| | - Rosana Esteller
- Neuromodulation Research and Advanced Concepts, Boston Scientific Neuromodulation, Valencia, California, United States
| | - Warren M Grill
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States
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12
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Condon LF, Yu Y, Park S, Cao F, Pauli JL, Nelson TS, Palmiter RD. Parabrachial Calca neurons drive nociplasticity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.26.564223. [PMID: 37961621 PMCID: PMC10634894 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.26.564223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Pain that persists beyond the time required for tissue healing and pain that arises in the absence of tissue injury are poorly understood phenomena mediated by plasticity within the central nervous system. The parabrachial nucleus (PBN) is a hub that relays aversive sensory information and appears to play a role in nociplasticity. Here, by preventing PBN Calca neurons from releasing neurotransmitter or directly stimulating them we demonstrate that activation of Calca neurons is both necessary for the manifestation of chronic pain after nerve ligation and is sufficient to drive nociplasticity in wild-type mice. Aversive stimuli such as exposure to nitroglycerin, cisplatin, or LiCl can drive nociplasticity in a Calca-neuron-dependent manner. Calcium fluorescence imaging reveals that nitroglycerin activates PBN Calca neurons and potentiates their responses to mechanical stimulation. The activity and excitability of Calca neurons increased for several days after aversive events, but prolonged nociplasticity likely occurs in downstream circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan F Condon
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Departments of Biochemistry and Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Ying Yu
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Departments of Biochemistry and Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Sekun Park
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Departments of Biochemistry and Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Feng Cao
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Departments of Biochemistry and Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jordan L Pauli
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Departments of Biochemistry and Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Tyler S Nelson
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, NY 10010, USA
| | - Richard D Palmiter
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Departments of Biochemistry and Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Lead Contact
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13
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Guo R, Xue J, Shao P, Cai C, Wang Y. NETO2-GluK2 interaction contributes to postoperative pain hypersensitivity through inducing PKCγ activation and synaptic incorporation of AMPA receptor GluR1 subunits in rat dorsal horn. Neurosci Lett 2023; 813:137430. [PMID: 37544581 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2023.137430] [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: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Important roles in the initiation and maintenance of postoperative pain are played by the functional control of kainate (KA) and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate (AMPA) receptors in the rat dorsal horn (DH). However, the mechanisms underpinning the cross-talk between spinal KA and AMPA receptors in postoperative pain are poorly understood. We hypothesized that after the rat's plantar incision, the synaptic incorporation of AMPA receptor GluR1 subunits in the DH ipsilateral to the incision would increase due to the interaction between GluK2 and neuropilin tolloid-like 2 (NETO2). Our findings showed that incision stimuli caused severe pain responses, as measured by cumulative pain scores. GluK2-NETO2 but not GluK2-NETO1interaction was upregulated in ipsilateral dorsal horn neurons (DHNs) at 6 h post-incision. At 6 h post-incision, NETO2 small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) intrathecal pretreatment increased mechanical withdrawal thresholds to von Freys and decreased ipsilateral paw cumulative pain scores. Further, PKCγactivation and synaptic abundance of GluK2 and GluR1 subunits in the ipsilateral DH were decreased by intrathecal pretreatment with NETO2 siRNA at 6 h post-incision. In conclusion, our findings imply that GluK2-NETO2 interaction could trigger PKCγactivation and the synaptic incorporation of AMPA receptor GluR1 subunits in rat DHs, which in turn led to the enhanced pain hypersensitivity after surgery. It sheds light on the interplay between KA and AMPA receptors in DHNs, which is thought to contribute to postoperative pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruijuan Guo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jianjun Xue
- Department of Anesthesiology, Gansu Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730050, Gansu, China
| | - Peiqi Shao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Chenghui Cai
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Yun Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China.
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14
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Ma X, Miraucourt LS, Qiu H, Sharif-Naeini R, Khadra A. Modulation of SK Channels via Calcium Buffering Tunes Intrinsic Excitability of Parvalbumin Interneurons in Neuropathic Pain: A Computational and Experimental Investigation. J Neurosci 2023; 43:5608-5622. [PMID: 37451982 PMCID: PMC10401647 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0426-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Parvalbumin-expressing interneurons (PVINs) play a crucial role within the dorsal horn of the spinal cord by preventing touch inputs from activating pain circuits. In both male and female mice, nerve injury decreases PVINs' output via mechanisms that are not fully understood. In this study, we show that PVINs from nerve-injured male mice change their firing pattern from tonic to adaptive. To examine the ionic mechanisms responsible for this decreased output, we used a reparametrized Hodgkin-Huxley type model of PVINs, which predicted (1) the firing pattern transition is because of an increased contribution of small conductance calcium-activated potassium (SK) channels, enabled by (2) impairment in intracellular calcium buffering systems. Analyzing the dynamics of the Hodgkin-Huxley type model further demonstrated that a generalized Hopf bifurcation differentiates the two types of state transitions observed in the transient firing of PVINs. Importantly, this predicted mechanism holds true when we embed the PVIN model within the neuronal circuit model of the spinal dorsal horn. To experimentally validate this hypothesized mechanism, we used pharmacological modulators of SK channels and demonstrated that (1) tonic firing PVINs from naive male mice become adaptive when exposed to an SK channel activator, and (2) adapting PVINs from nerve-injured male mice return to tonic firing on SK channel blockade. Our work provides important insights into the cellular mechanism underlying the decreased output of PVINs in the spinal dorsal horn after nerve injury and highlights potential pharmacological targets for new and effective treatment approaches to neuropathic pain.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Parvalbumin-expressing interneurons (PVINs) exert crucial inhibitory control over Aβ fiber-mediated nociceptive pathways at the spinal dorsal horn. The loss of their inhibitory tone leads to neuropathic symptoms, such as mechanical allodynia, via mechanisms that are not fully understood. This study identifies the reduced intrinsic excitability of PVINs as a potential cause for their decreased inhibitory output in nerve-injured condition. Combining computational and experimental approaches, we predict a calcium-dependent mechanism that modulates PVINs' electrical activity following nerve injury: a depletion of cytosolic calcium buffer allows for the rapid accumulation of intracellular calcium through the active membranes, which in turn potentiates SK channels and impedes spike generation. Our results therefore pinpoint SK channels as potential therapeutic targets for treating neuropathic symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Ma
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
- Alan Edwards Center for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Loïs S Miraucourt
- Alan Edwards Center for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Haoyi Qiu
- Alan Edwards Center for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Reza Sharif-Naeini
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
- Alan Edwards Center for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Anmar Khadra
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
- Department of Quantitative Life Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
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15
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Du F, Yin G, Han L, Liu X, Dong D, Duan K, Huo J, Sun Y, Cheng L. Targeting Peripheral μ-opioid Receptors or μ-opioid Receptor-Expressing Neurons Does not Prevent Morphine-induced Mechanical Allodynia and Anti-allodynic Tolerance. Neurosci Bull 2023; 39:1210-1228. [PMID: 36622575 PMCID: PMC10387027 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-022-01009-2] [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: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The chronic use of morphine and other opioids is associated with opioid-induced hypersensitivity (OIH) and analgesic tolerance. Among the different forms of OIH and tolerance, the opioid receptors and cell types mediating opioid-induced mechanical allodynia and anti-allodynic tolerance remain unresolved. Here we demonstrated that the loss of peripheral μ-opioid receptors (MORs) or MOR-expressing neurons attenuated thermal tolerance, but did not affect the expression and maintenance of morphine-induced mechanical allodynia and anti-allodynic tolerance. To confirm this result, we made dorsal root ganglia-dorsal roots-sagittal spinal cord slice preparations and recorded low-threshold Aβ-fiber stimulation-evoked inputs and outputs in superficial dorsal horn neurons. Consistent with the behavioral results, peripheral MOR loss did not prevent the opening of Aβ mechanical allodynia pathways in the spinal dorsal horn. Therefore, the peripheral MOR signaling pathway may not be an optimal target for preventing mechanical OIH and analgesic tolerance. Future studies should focus more on central mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Du
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Guangjuan Yin
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Lei Han
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xi Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Dong Dong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Kaifang Duan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jiantao Huo
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yanyan Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Longzhen Cheng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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16
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Rayi PR, Lev S, Binshtok AM. Age-dependent decrease in inhibitory drive on the excitatory superficial spinal dorsal horn neurons. NEUROBIOLOGY OF PAIN (CAMBRIDGE, MASS.) 2023; 14:100139. [PMID: 37927365 PMCID: PMC10624944 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynpai.2023.100139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
The excitatory and inhibitory interneurons of superficial laminae I-II of the spinal dorsal horn (SDH) receive and process pain-related information from the primary afferents and transmit it to the brain via the projection neurons. Thus, the interaction between excitatory and inhibitory SDH interneurons is crucial in determining the output from the spinal cord network. Disruption of this interaction in pathological conditions leads to increased SDH output to the higher brain centers, which could underlie pathological pain. Here, we examined whether the changes in the intrinsic SDH connectivity also occur with age, possibly underlying age-related increase in pain sensitivity. Using Vgat;tdTomato transgenic mouse line, we compared the spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) in inhibitory tdTomato+ and excitatory tdTomato- interneurons between adult (3-5 m.o.) and aged (12-13 m.o.) mice. We demonstrate that in adult mice, the amplitude and frequency of the sIPSCs on the excitatory interneurons were significantly higher than on inhibitory interneurons. These differences were annulled in aged mice. Further, we show that in aged mice, excitatory neurons receive less inhibition than in adult mice. This could lead to overall disinhibition of the SDH network, which might underlie increased pain perception among the aged population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prudhvi Raj Rayi
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shaya Lev
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Alexander M Binshtok
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
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17
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Ma Q, Su D, Huo J, Yin G, Dong D, Duan K, Cheng H, Xu H, Ma J, Liu D, Mou B, Peng J, Cheng L. Microglial Depletion does not Affect the Laterality of Mechanical Allodynia in Mice. Neurosci Bull 2023; 39:1229-1245. [PMID: 36637789 PMCID: PMC10387012 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-022-01017-2] [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: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanical allodynia (MA), including punctate and dynamic forms, is a common and debilitating symptom suffered by millions of chronic pain patients. Some peripheral injuries result in the development of bilateral MA, while most injuries usually led to unilateral MA. To date, the control of such laterality remains poorly understood. Here, to study the role of microglia in the control of MA laterality, we used genetic strategies to deplete microglia and tested both dynamic and punctate forms of MA in mice. Surprisingly, the depletion of central microglia did not prevent the induction of bilateral dynamic and punctate MA. Moreover, in dorsal root ganglion-dorsal root-sagittal spinal cord slice preparations we recorded the low-threshold Aβ-fiber stimulation-evoked inputs and outputs of superficial dorsal horn neurons. Consistent with behavioral results, microglial depletion did not prevent the opening of bilateral gates for Aβ pathways in the superficial dorsal horn. This study challenges the role of microglia in the control of MA laterality in mice. Future studies are needed to further understand whether the role of microglia in the control of MA laterality is etiology-or species-specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Ma
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Dongmei Su
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jiantao Huo
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Guangjuan Yin
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Dong Dong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Kaifang Duan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Hong Cheng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Huiling Xu
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jiao Ma
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Dong Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Bin Mou
- Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Jiyun Peng
- Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.
| | - Longzhen Cheng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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18
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Boyle KA, Polgar E, Gutierrez-Mecinas M, Dickie AC, Cooper AH, Bell AM, Jumolea E, Casas-Benito A, Watanabe M, Hughes DI, Weir GA, Riddell JS, Todd AJ. Neuropeptide Y-expressing dorsal horn inhibitory interneurons gate spinal pain and itch signalling. eLife 2023; 12:RP86633. [PMID: 37490401 PMCID: PMC10392120 DOI: 10.7554/elife.86633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Somatosensory information is processed by a complex network of interneurons in the spinal dorsal horn. It has been reported that inhibitory interneurons that express neuropeptide Y (NPY), either permanently or during development, suppress mechanical itch, with no effect on pain. Here, we investigate the role of interneurons that continue to express NPY (NPY-INs) in the adult mouse spinal cord. We find that chemogenetic activation of NPY-INs reduces behaviours associated with acute pain and pruritogen-evoked itch, whereas silencing them causes exaggerated itch responses that depend on cells expressing the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor. As predicted by our previous studies, silencing of another population of inhibitory interneurons (those expressing dynorphin) also increases itch, but to a lesser extent. Importantly, NPY-IN activation also reduces behavioural signs of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. These results demonstrate that NPY-INs gate pain and itch transmission at the spinal level, and therefore represent a potential treatment target for pathological pain and itch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran A Boyle
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Erika Polgar
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Gutierrez-Mecinas
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Allen C Dickie
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew H Cooper
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew M Bell
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Evelline Jumolea
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian Casas-Benito
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Masahiko Watanabe
- Department of Anatomy, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - David I Hughes
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Gregory A Weir
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - John S Riddell
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J Todd
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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19
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Davis OC, Dickie AC, Mustapa MB, Boyle KA, Browne TJ, Gradwell MA, Smith KM, Polgár E, Bell AM, Kókai É, Watanabe M, Wildner H, Zeilhofer HU, Ginty DD, Callister RJ, Graham BA, Todd AJ, Hughes DI. Calretinin-expressing islet cells are a source of pre- and post-synaptic inhibition of non-peptidergic nociceptor input to the mouse spinal cord. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11561. [PMID: 37464016 PMCID: PMC10354228 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38605-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Unmyelinated non-peptidergic nociceptors (NP afferents) arborise in lamina II of the spinal cord and receive GABAergic axoaxonic synapses, which mediate presynaptic inhibition. However, until now the source of this axoaxonic synaptic input was not known. Here we provide evidence that it originates from a population of inhibitory calretinin-expressing interneurons (iCRs), which correspond to lamina II islet cells. The NP afferents can be assigned to 3 functionally distinct classes (NP1-3). NP1 afferents have been implicated in pathological pain states, while NP2 and NP3 afferents also function as pruritoceptors. Our findings suggest that all 3 of these afferent types innervate iCRs and receive axoaxonic synapses from them, providing feedback inhibition of NP input. The iCRs also form axodendritic synapses, and their targets include cells that are themselves innervated by the NP afferents, thus allowing for feedforward inhibition. The iCRs are therefore ideally placed to control the input from non-peptidergic nociceptors and pruritoceptors to other dorsal horn neurons, and thus represent a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of chronic pain and itch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia C Davis
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Allen C Dickie
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Marami B Mustapa
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
- Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kieran A Boyle
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Tyler J Browne
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Mark A Gradwell
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Kelly M Smith
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Erika Polgár
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Andrew M Bell
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Éva Kókai
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Masahiko Watanabe
- Department of Anatomy, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Hendrik Wildner
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Hanns Ulrich Zeilhofer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - David D Ginty
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Robert J Callister
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Brett A Graham
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
| | - Andrew J Todd
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
| | - David I Hughes
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
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20
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Olde Heuvel F, Ouali Alami N, Aousji O, Pogatzki-Zahn E, Zahn PK, Wilhelm H, Deshpande D, Khatamsaz E, Catanese A, Woelfle S, Schön M, Jain S, Grabrucker S, Ludolph AC, Verpelli C, Michaelis J, Boeckers TM, Roselli F. Shank2 identifies a subset of glycinergic neurons involved in altered nociception in an autism model. Mol Autism 2023; 14:21. [PMID: 37316943 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-023-00552-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) patients experience disturbed nociception in the form of either hyposensitivity to pain or allodynia. A substantial amount of processing of somatosensory and nociceptive stimulus takes place in the dorsal spinal cord. However, many of these circuits are not very well understood in the context of nociceptive processing in ASD. METHODS We have used a Shank2-/- mouse model, which displays a set of phenotypes reminiscent of ASD, and performed behavioural and microscopic analysis to investigate the role of dorsal horn circuitry in nociceptive processing of ASD. RESULTS We determined that Shank2-/- mice display increased sensitivity to formalin pain and thermal preference, but a sensory specific mechanical allodynia. We demonstrate that high levels of Shank2 expression identifies a subpopulation of neurons in murine and human dorsal spinal cord, composed mainly by glycinergic interneurons and that loss of Shank2 causes the decrease in NMDAR in excitatory synapses on these inhibitory interneurons. In fact, in the subacute phase of the formalin test, glycinergic interneurons are strongly activated in wild type (WT) mice but not in Shank2-/- mice. Consequently, nociception projection neurons in laminae I are activated in larger numbers in Shank2-/- mice. LIMITATIONS Our investigation is limited to male mice, in agreement with the higher representation of ASD in males; therefore, caution should be applied to extrapolate the findings to females. Furthermore, ASD is characterized by extensive genetic diversity and therefore the findings related to Shank2 mutant mice may not necessarily apply to patients with different gene mutations. Since nociceptive phenotypes in ASD range between hyper- and hypo-sensitivity, diverse mutations may affect the circuit in opposite ways. CONCLUSION Our findings prove that Shank2 expression identifies a new subset of inhibitory interneurons involved in reducing the transmission of nociceptive stimuli and whose unchecked activation is associated with pain hypersensitivity. We provide evidence that dysfunction in spinal cord pain processing may contribute to the nociceptive phenotypes in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Najwa Ouali Alami
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- International PhD Program, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Esther Pogatzki-Zahn
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Peter K Zahn
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
- Clinic for Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, University Hospital Bergmannsheil Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Hanna Wilhelm
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | | | - Alberto Catanese
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sarah Woelfle
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Michael Schön
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sanjay Jain
- Department of Internal Medicine (Renal), Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
| | | | - Albert C Ludolph
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm, Germany
| | - Chiara Verpelli
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Science Council, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Tobias M Boeckers
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm, Germany.
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Francesco Roselli
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm, Germany.
- Center for Biomedical Research (ZBF), Helmholtzstraße 8/2, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
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21
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Davis OC, Dickie AC, Mustapa MB, Boyle KA, Browne TJ, Gradwell MA, Smith KM, Polgár E, Bell AM, Kókai É, Watanabe M, Wildner H, Zeilhofer HU, Ginty DD, Callister RJ, Graham BA, Todd AJ, Hughes DI. Calretinin-expressing islet cells: a source of pre- and post-synaptic inhibition of non-peptidergic nociceptor input to the mouse spinal cord. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.01.543241. [PMID: 37333120 PMCID: PMC10274676 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.01.543241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Unmyelinated non-peptidergic nociceptors (NP afferents) arborise in lamina II of the spinal cord and receive GABAergic axoaxonic synapses, which mediate presynaptic inhibition. However, until now the source of this axoaxonic synaptic input was not known. Here we provide evidence that it originates from a population of inhibitory calretinin-expressing interneurons (iCRs), which correspond to lamina II islet cells. The NP afferents can be assigned to 3 functionally distinct classes (NP1-3). NP1 afferents have been implicated in pathological pain states, while NP2 and NP3 afferents also function as pruritoceptors. Our findings suggest that all 3 of these afferent types innervate iCRs and receive axoaxonic synapses from them, providing feedback inhibition of NP input. The iCRs also form axodendritic synapses, and their targets include cells that are themselves innervated by the NP afferents, thus allowing for feedforward inhibition. The iCRs are therefore ideally placed to control the input from non-peptidergic nociceptors and pruritoceptors to other dorsal horn neurons, and thus represent a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of chronic pain and itch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia C. Davis
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, Sir James Black Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Allen C. Dickie
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, Sir James Black Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Marami B. Mustapa
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, Sir James Black Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
- Present address: Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kieran A. Boyle
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, Sir James Black Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Tyler J. Browne
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Mark A. Gradwell
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Kelly M. Smith
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Erika Polgár
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, Sir James Black Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Andrew M. Bell
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, Sir James Black Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Éva Kókai
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, Sir James Black Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Masahiko Watanabe
- Department of Anatomy, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Hendrik Wildner
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Hanns Ulrich Zeilhofer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - David D. Ginty
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Robert J. Callister
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Brett A. Graham
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew J. Todd
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, Sir James Black Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - David I. Hughes
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, Sir James Black Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
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22
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Zhang Y, Huang X, Xin WJ, He S, Deng J, Ruan X. Somatostatin Neurons from Periaqueductal Gray to Medulla Facilitate Neuropathic Pain in Male Mice. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2023; 24:1020-1029. [PMID: 36641028 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Projections from the periaqueductal gray (PAG) to the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) are known to engage in descending pain modulation, but how the neural substrates of the PAG-RVM projections contribute to neuropathic pain remains largely unknown. In this study, we showed somatostatin-expressing glutamatergic neurons in the lateral/ventrolateral PAG that facilitate mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity in a mouse model of chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain. We found that these neurons form direct excitatory connections with neurons in the RVM region. Inhibition of this PAG-RVM projection alleviates mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity associated with neuropathy, whereas its activation enhances hypersensitivity in the mice. Thus, our findings revealed that somatostatin neurons within the PAG-RVM axial are crucial for descending pain facilitation and can potentially be exploited as a useful therapeutic target for neuropathic pain. PERSPECTIVE: We report the profound contribution of somatostatin neurons within the PAG-RVM projections to descending pain facilitation underlying neuropathic pain. These results may help to develop central therapeutic strategies for neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuehong Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Clinical Molecular Medicine and Diagnostics, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xuelin Huang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Clinical Molecular Medicine and Diagnostics, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wen-Jun Xin
- Zhongshan Medical School and Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shilang He
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jie Deng
- Zhongshan Medical School and Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiangcai Ruan
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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23
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Wilson AC, Sweeney LB. Spinal cords: Symphonies of interneurons across species. Front Neural Circuits 2023; 17:1146449. [PMID: 37180760 PMCID: PMC10169611 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2023.1146449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Vertebrate movement is orchestrated by spinal inter- and motor neurons that, together with sensory and cognitive input, produce dynamic motor behaviors. These behaviors vary from the simple undulatory swimming of fish and larval aquatic species to the highly coordinated running, reaching and grasping of mice, humans and other mammals. This variation raises the fundamental question of how spinal circuits have changed in register with motor behavior. In simple, undulatory fish, exemplified by the lamprey, two broad classes of interneurons shape motor neuron output: ipsilateral-projecting excitatory neurons, and commissural-projecting inhibitory neurons. An additional class of ipsilateral inhibitory neurons is required to generate escape swim behavior in larval zebrafish and tadpoles. In limbed vertebrates, a more complex spinal neuron composition is observed. In this review, we provide evidence that movement elaboration correlates with an increase and specialization of these three basic interneuron types into molecularly, anatomically, and functionally distinct subpopulations. We summarize recent work linking neuron types to movement-pattern generation across fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lora B. Sweeney
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria), Klosterneuburg, Lower Austria, Austria
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24
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Frezel N, Ranucci M, Foster E, Wende H, Pelczar P, Mendes R, Ganley RP, Werynska K, d'Aquin S, Beccarini C, Birchmeier C, Zeilhofer HU, Wildner H. c-Maf-positive spinal cord neurons are critical elements of a dorsal horn circuit for mechanical hypersensitivity in neuropathy. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112295. [PMID: 36947543 PMCID: PMC10157139 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Corticospinal tract (CST) neurons innervate the deep spinal dorsal horn to sustain chronic neuropathic pain. The majority of neurons targeted by the CST are interneurons expressing the transcription factor c-Maf. Here, we used intersectional genetics to decipher the function of these neurons in dorsal horn sensory circuits. We find that excitatory c-Maf (c-MafEX) neurons receive sensory input mainly from myelinated fibers and target deep dorsal horn parabrachial projection neurons and superficial dorsal horn neurons, thereby connecting non-nociceptive input to nociceptive output structures. Silencing c-MafEX neurons has little effect in healthy mice but alleviates mechanical hypersensitivity in neuropathic mice. c-MafEX neurons also receive input from inhibitory c-Maf and parvalbumin neurons, and compromising inhibition by these neurons caused mechanical hypersensitivity and spontaneous aversive behaviors reminiscent of c-MafEX neuron activation. Our study identifies c-MafEX neurons as normally silent second-order nociceptors that become engaged in pathological pain signaling upon loss of inhibitory control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noémie Frezel
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Matteo Ranucci
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Edmund Foster
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Pawel Pelczar
- Center for Transgenic Models (CTM), University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Raquel Mendes
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Robert P Ganley
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Karolina Werynska
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Simon d'Aquin
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Camilla Beccarini
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Hanns Ulrich Zeilhofer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland; Pharmaceutical Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Hendrik Wildner
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland.
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25
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Huo J, Du F, Duan K, Yin G, Liu X, Ma Q, Dong D, Sun M, Hao M, Su D, Huang T, Ke J, Lai S, Zhang Z, Guo C, Sun Y, Cheng L. Identification of brain-to-spinal circuits controlling the laterality and duration of mechanical allodynia in mice. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112300. [PMID: 36952340 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112300] [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: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanical allodynia (MA) represents one prevalent symptom of chronic pain. Previously we and others have identified spinal and brain circuits that transmit or modulate the initial establishment of MA. However, brain-derived descending pathways that control the laterality and duration of MA are still poorly understood. Here we report that the contralateral brain-to-spinal circuits, from Oprm1 neurons in the lateral parabrachial nucleus (lPBNOprm1), via Pdyn neurons in the dorsal medial regions of hypothalamus (dmHPdyn), to the spinal dorsal horn (SDH), act to prevent nerve injury from inducing contralateral MA and reduce the duration of bilateral MA induced by capsaicin. Ablating/silencing dmH-projecting lPBNOprm1 neurons or SDH-projecting dmHPdyn neurons, deleting Dyn peptide from dmH, or blocking spinal κ-opioid receptors all led to long-lasting bilateral MA. Conversely, activation of dmHPdyn neurons or their axonal terminals in SDH can suppress sustained bilateral MA induced by lPBN lesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiantao Huo
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Feng Du
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Kaifang Duan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Guangjuan Yin
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xi Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Quan Ma
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Dong Dong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Mengge Sun
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Mei Hao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Dongmei Su
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Tianwen Huang
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jin Ke
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Shishi Lai
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhi Zhang
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Chao Guo
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yuanjie Sun
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Longzhen Cheng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China; Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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26
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Miranda CO, Hegedüs K, Kis G, Antal M. Synaptic Targets of Glycinergic Neurons in Laminae I-III of the Spinal Dorsal Horn. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24086943. [PMID: 37108107 PMCID: PMC10139066 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24086943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A great deal of evidence supports the inevitable importance of spinal glycinergic inhibition in the development of chronic pain conditions. However, it remains unclear how glycinergic neurons contribute to the formation of spinal neural circuits underlying pain-related information processing. Thus, we intended to explore the synaptic targets of spinal glycinergic neurons in the pain processing region (laminae I-III) of the spinal dorsal horn by combining transgenic technology with immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization accompanied by light and electron microscopy. First, our results suggest that, in addition to neurons in laminae I-III, glycinergic neurons with cell bodies in lamina IV may contribute substantially to spinal pain processing. On the one hand, we show that glycine transporter 2 immunostained glycinergic axon terminals target almost all types of excitatory and inhibitory interneurons identified by their neuronal markers in laminae I-III. Thus, glycinergic postsynaptic inhibition, including glycinergic inhibition of inhibitory interneurons, must be a common functional mechanism of spinal pain processing. On the other hand, our results demonstrate that glycine transporter 2 containing axon terminals target only specific subsets of axon terminals in laminae I-III, including nonpeptidergic nociceptive C fibers binding IB4 and nonnociceptive myelinated A fibers immunoreactive for type 1 vesicular glutamate transporter, indicating that glycinergic presynaptic inhibition may be important for targeting functionally specific subpopulations of primary afferent inputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Oliveira Miranda
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Krisztina Hegedüs
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Gréta Kis
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Miklós Antal
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
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27
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Franzen AD, Paulsen RT, Kabeiseman EJ, Burrell BD. Heterosynaptic long-term potentiation of non-nociceptive synapses requires endocannabinoids, NMDARs, CamKII, and PKCζ. J Neurophysiol 2023; 129:807-818. [PMID: 36883763 PMCID: PMC10085563 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00494.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Noxious stimuli or injury can trigger long-lasting sensitization to non-nociceptive stimuli (referred to as allodynia in mammals). Long-term potentiation (LTP) of nociceptive synapses has been shown to contribute to nociceptive sensitization (hyperalgesia) and there is even evidence of heterosynaptic spread of LTP contributing to this type of sensitization. This study will focus on how activation of nociceptors elicits heterosynaptic LTP (hetLTP) in non-nociceptive synapses. Previous studies in the medicinal leech (Hirudo verbana) have demonstrated that high-frequency stimulation (HFS) of nociceptors produces both homosynaptic LTP as well as hetLTP in non-nociceptive afferent synapses. This hetLTP involves endocannabinoid-mediated disinhibition of non-nociceptive synapses at the presynaptic level, but it is not clear if there are additional processes contributing to this synaptic potentiation. In this study, we found evidence for the involvement of postsynaptic level change and observed that postsynaptic N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (NMDARs) were required for this potentiation. Next, Hirudo orthologs for known LTP signaling proteins, CamKII and PKCζ, were identified based on sequences from humans, mice, and the marine mollusk Aplysia. In electrophysiological experiments, inhibitors of CamKII (AIP) and PKCζ (ZIP) were found to interfere with hetLTP. Interestingly, CamKII was found to be necessary for both induction and maintenance of hetLTP, whereas PKCζ was only necessary for maintenance. These findings show that activation of nociceptors can elicit a potentiation of non-nociceptive synapses through a process that involves both endocannabinoid-mediated disinhibition and NMDAR-initiated signaling pathways.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Pain-related sensitization involves increases in signaling by non-nociceptive sensory neurons. This can allow non-nociceptive afferents to have access to nociceptive circuitry. In this study, we examine a form of synaptic potentiation in which nociceptor activity elicits increases in non-nociceptive synapses. This process involves endocannabinoids, "gating" the activation of NMDA receptors, which in turn activate CamKII and PKCζ. This study provides an important link in how nociceptive stimuli can enhance non-nociceptive signaling related to pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avery D Franzen
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Center for Brain and Behavior Research, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota, United States
| | - Riley T Paulsen
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Center for Brain and Behavior Research, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota, United States
| | - Emily J Kabeiseman
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Center for Brain and Behavior Research, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota, United States
| | - Brian D Burrell
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Center for Brain and Behavior Research, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota, United States
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28
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Gu X, Zhang YZ, O'Malley JJ, De Preter CC, Penzo M, Hoon MA. Neurons in the caudal ventrolateral medulla mediate descending pain control. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:594-605. [PMID: 36894654 PMCID: PMC11114367 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01268-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Supraspinal brain regions modify nociceptive signals in response to various stressors including stimuli that elevate pain thresholds. The medulla oblongata has previously been implicated in this type of pain control, but the neurons and molecular circuits involved have remained elusive. Here we identify catecholaminergic neurons in the caudal ventrolateral medulla that are activated by noxious stimuli in mice. Upon activation, these neurons produce bilateral feed-forward inhibition that attenuates nociceptive responses through a pathway involving the locus coeruleus and norepinephrine in the spinal cord. This pathway is sufficient to attenuate injury-induced heat allodynia and is required for counter-stimulus induced analgesia to noxious heat. Our findings define a component of the pain modulatory system that regulates nociceptive responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinglong Gu
- Molecular Genetics Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research/NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yizhen Z Zhang
- Molecular Genetics Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research/NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - John J O'Malley
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Caitlynn C De Preter
- Molecular Genetics Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research/NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mario Penzo
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mark A Hoon
- Molecular Genetics Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research/NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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29
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Rankin G, Chirila AM, Emanuel AJ, Zhang Z, Woolf CJ, Drugowitsch J, Ginty DD. Nerve injury disrupts temporal processing in the spinal cord dorsal horn through alterations in PV + interneurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.20.533541. [PMID: 36993199 PMCID: PMC10055222 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.20.533541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
How mechanical allodynia following nerve injury is encoded in patterns of neural activity in the spinal cord dorsal horn (DH) is not known. We addressed this using the spared nerve injury model of neuropathic pain and in vivo electrophysiological recordings. Surprisingly, despite dramatic behavioral over-reactivity to mechanical stimuli following nerve injury, an overall increase in sensitivity or reactivity of DH neurons was not observed. We did, however, observe a marked decrease in correlated neural firing patterns, including the synchrony of mechanical stimulus-evoked firing, across the DH. Alterations in DH temporal firing patterns were recapitulated by silencing DH parvalbumin + (PV + ) inhibitory interneurons, previously implicated in mechanical allodynia, as were allodynic pain-like behaviors in mice. These findings reveal decorrelated DH network activity, driven by alterations in PV + interneurons, as a prominent feature of neuropathic pain, and suggest that restoration of proper temporal activity is a potential treatment for chronic neuropathic pain.
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30
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Jang W, Oh M, Cho EH, Baek M, Kim C. Drosophila pain sensitization and modulation unveiled by a novel pain model and analgesic drugs. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281874. [PMID: 36795675 PMCID: PMC9934396 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In mammals, pain is regulated by the combination of an ascending stimulating and descending inhibitory pain pathway. It remains an intriguing question whether such pain pathways are of ancient origin and conserved in invertebrates. Here we report a new Drosophila pain model and use it to elucidate the pain pathways present in flies. The model employs transgenic flies expressing the human capsaicin receptor TRPV1 in sensory nociceptor neurons, which innervate the whole fly body, including the mouth. Upon capsaicin sipping, the flies abruptly displayed pain-related behaviors such as running away, scurrying around, rubbing vigorously, and pulling at their mouth parts, suggesting that capsaicin stimulated nociceptors in the mouth via activating TRPV1. When reared on capsaicin-containing food, the animals died of starvation, demonstrating the degree of pain experienced. This death rate was reduced by treatment both with NSAIDs and gabapentin, analgesics that inhibit the sensitized ascending pain pathway, and with antidepressants, GABAergic agonists, and morphine, analgesics that strengthen the descending inhibitory pathway. Our results suggest Drosophila to possess intricate pain sensitization and modulation mechanisms similar to mammals, and we propose that this simple, non-invasive feeding assay has utility for high-throughput evaluation and screening of analgesic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wijeong Jang
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Myungsok Oh
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Eun-Hee Cho
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Minwoo Baek
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Changsoo Kim
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea
- * E-mail:
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31
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Yadav A, Matson KJE, Li L, Hua I, Petrescu J, Kang K, Alkaslasi MR, Lee DI, Hasan S, Galuta A, Dedek A, Ameri S, Parnell J, Alshardan MM, Qumqumji FA, Alhamad SM, Wang AP, Poulen G, Lonjon N, Vachiery-Lahaye F, Gaur P, Nalls MA, Qi YA, Maric D, Ward ME, Hildebrand ME, Mery PF, Bourinet E, Bauchet L, Tsai EC, Phatnani H, Le Pichon CE, Menon V, Levine AJ. A cellular taxonomy of the adult human spinal cord. Neuron 2023; 111:328-344.e7. [PMID: 36731429 PMCID: PMC10044516 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian spinal cord functions as a community of cell types for sensory processing, autonomic control, and movement. While animal models have advanced our understanding of spinal cellular diversity, characterizing human biology directly is important to uncover specialized features of basic function and human pathology. Here, we present a cellular taxonomy of the adult human spinal cord using single-nucleus RNA sequencing with spatial transcriptomics and antibody validation. We identified 29 glial clusters and 35 neuronal clusters, organized principally by anatomical location. To demonstrate the relevance of this resource to human disease, we analyzed spinal motoneurons, which degenerate in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other diseases. We found that compared with other spinal neurons, human motoneurons are defined by genes related to cell size, cytoskeletal structure, and ALS, suggesting a specialized molecular repertoire underlying their selective vulnerability. We include a web resource to facilitate further investigations into human spinal cord biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archana Yadav
- Department of Neurology, Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kaya J E Matson
- Spinal Circuits and Plasticity Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, USA; Johns Hopkins University Department of Biology, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Li Li
- Spinal Circuits and Plasticity Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Isabelle Hua
- Spinal Circuits and Plasticity Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Joana Petrescu
- Department of Neurology, Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Center for Genomics of Neurodegenerative Disease, New York Genome Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kristy Kang
- Department of Neurology, Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Center for Genomics of Neurodegenerative Disease, New York Genome Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mor R Alkaslasi
- Unit on the Development of Neurodegeneration, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Dylan I Lee
- Department of Neurology, Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Saadia Hasan
- Inherited Neurodegenerative Diseases Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ahmad Galuta
- Neuroscience Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Annemarie Dedek
- Neuroscience Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Sara Ameri
- Neuroscience Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jessica Parnell
- Neuroscience Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Saud M Alhamad
- Neuroscience Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Alick Pingbei Wang
- Neuroscience Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Gaetan Poulen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Gui de Chauliac Hospital, and Donation and Transplantation Coordination Unit, Montpellier University Medical Center, Montpellier, France
| | - Nicolas Lonjon
- Department of Neurosurgery, Gui de Chauliac Hospital, and Donation and Transplantation Coordination Unit, Montpellier University Medical Center, Montpellier, France
| | - Florence Vachiery-Lahaye
- Department of Neurosurgery, Gui de Chauliac Hospital, and Donation and Transplantation Coordination Unit, Montpellier University Medical Center, Montpellier, France
| | - Pallavi Gaur
- Department of Neurology, Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mike A Nalls
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA; Center for Alzheimer's and Related Dementias, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA; Data Tecnica International LLC, Glen Echo, MD, USA
| | - Yue A Qi
- Center for Alzheimer's and Related Dementias, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dragan Maric
- Flow and Imaging Cytometry Core Facility, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Michael E Ward
- Inherited Neurodegenerative Diseases Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Michael E Hildebrand
- Inherited Neurodegenerative Diseases Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, USA; Neuroscience Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Pierre-Francois Mery
- Institute of Functional Genomics, Montpellier University, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Emmanuel Bourinet
- Institute of Functional Genomics, Montpellier University, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Luc Bauchet
- Department of Neurosurgery, Gui de Chauliac Hospital, and Donation and Transplantation Coordination Unit, Montpellier University Medical Center, Montpellier, France; Institute of Functional Genomics, Montpellier University, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Eve C Tsai
- Neuroscience Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Hemali Phatnani
- Department of Neurology, Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Center for Genomics of Neurodegenerative Disease, New York Genome Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Claire E Le Pichon
- Unit on the Development of Neurodegeneration, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Vilas Menon
- Department of Neurology, Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Ariel J Levine
- Spinal Circuits and Plasticity Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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32
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Time-dependent and selective microglia-mediated removal of spinal synapses in neuropathic pain. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112010. [PMID: 36656715 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain is a debilitating condition resulting from damage to the nervous system. Imbalance of spinal excitation and inhibition has been proposed to contribute to neuropathic pain. However, the structural basis of this imbalance remains unknown. Using a preclinical model of neuropathic pain, we show that microglia selectively engulf spinal synapses that are formed by central neurons and spare those of peripheral sensory neurons. Furthermore, we reveal that removal of inhibitory and excitatory synapses exhibits distinct temporal patterns, in which microglia-mediated inhibitory synapse removal precedes excitatory synapse removal. We also find selective and gradual increase in complement depositions on dorsal horn synapses that corresponds to the temporal pattern of microglial synapse pruning activity and type-specific synapse loss. Together, these results define a specific role for microglia in the progression of neuropathic pain pathogenesis and implicate these immune cells in structural remodeling of dorsal horn circuitry.
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Ca 2+-Permeable AMPA Receptors Contribute to Changed Dorsal Horn Neuronal Firing and Inflammatory Pain. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032341. [PMID: 36768663 PMCID: PMC9916706 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The dorsal horn (DH) neurons of the spinal cord play a critical role in nociceptive input integration and processing in the central nervous system. Engaged neuronal classes and cell-specific excitability shape nociceptive computation within the DH. The DH hyperexcitability (central sensitisation) has been considered a fundamental mechanism in mediating nociceptive hypersensitivity, with the proven role of Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptors (AMPARs). However, whether and how the DH hyperexcitability relates to changes in action potential (AP) parameters in DH neurons and if Ca2+-permeable AMPARs contribute to these changes remain unknown. We examined the cell-class heterogeneity of APs generated by DH neurons in inflammatory pain conditions to address these. Inflammatory-induced peripheral hypersensitivity increased DH neuronal excitability. We found changes in the AP threshold and amplitude but not kinetics (spike waveform) in DH neurons generating sustained or initial bursts of firing patterns. In contrast, there were no changes in AP parameters in the DH neurons displaying a single spike firing pattern. Genetic knockdown of the molecular mechanism responsible for the upregulation of Ca2+-permeable AMPARs allowed the recovery of cell-specific AP changes in peripheral inflammation. Selective inhibition of Ca2+-permeable AMPARs in the spinal cord alleviated nociceptive hypersensitivity, both thermal and mechanical modalities, in animals with peripheral inflammation. Thus, Ca2+-permeable AMPARs contribute to shaping APs in DH neurons and nociceptive hypersensitivity. This may represent a neuropathological mechanism in the DH circuits, leading to aberrant signal transfer to other nociceptive pathways.
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34
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Qiu H, Miraucourt L, Sharif-Naeini R. Spinal processing of cold information by Kcnip2 neurons. Neuron 2023; 111:8-9. [PMID: 36603551 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord circuits that process cold inputs from the periphery are poorly understood. In this issue of Neuron, Albisetti et al.1 identify a subset of inhibitory interneurons essential to this function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyi Qiu
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir-William-Osler, Montreal, QC, Canada; Cell Information Systems Group, McGill University, 3649 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, QC, Canada; Alan Edwards Center for Research on Pain, McGill University, 3775 University, Suite 100, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Loïs Miraucourt
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir-William-Osler, Montreal, QC, Canada; Cell Information Systems Group, McGill University, 3649 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, QC, Canada; Alan Edwards Center for Research on Pain, McGill University, 3775 University, Suite 100, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Reza Sharif-Naeini
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir-William-Osler, Montreal, QC, Canada; Cell Information Systems Group, McGill University, 3649 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, QC, Canada; Alan Edwards Center for Research on Pain, McGill University, 3775 University, Suite 100, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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35
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Albisetti GW, Ganley RP, Pietrafesa F, Werynska K, Magalhaes de Sousa M, Sipione R, Scheurer L, Bösl MR, Pelczar P, Wildner H, Zeilhofer HU. Inhibitory Kcnip2 neurons of the spinal dorsal horn control behavioral sensitivity to environmental cold. Neuron 2023; 111:92-105.e5. [PMID: 36323322 PMCID: PMC9831669 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Proper sensing of ambient temperature is of utmost importance for the survival of euthermic animals, including humans. While considerable progress has been made in our understanding of temperature sensors and transduction mechanisms, the higher-order neural circuits processing such information are still only incompletely understood. Using intersectional genetics in combination with circuit tracing and functional neuron manipulation, we identified Kcnip2-expressing inhibitory (Kcnip2GlyT2) interneurons of the mouse spinal dorsal horn as critical elements of a neural circuit that tunes sensitivity to cold. Diphtheria toxin-mediated ablation of these neurons increased cold sensitivity without affecting responses to other somatosensory modalities, while their chemogenetic activation reduced cold and also heat sensitivity. We also show that Kcnip2GlyT2 neurons become activated preferentially upon exposure to cold temperatures and subsequently inhibit spinal nociceptive output neurons that project to the lateral parabrachial nucleus. Our results thus identify a hitherto unknown spinal circuit that tunes cold sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gioele W. Albisetti
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Robert P. Ganley
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Francesca Pietrafesa
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Karolina Werynska
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Rebecca Sipione
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Louis Scheurer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Michael R. Bösl
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, and Rudolf Virchow Center, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Pawel Pelczar
- Center for Transgenic Models, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hendrik Wildner
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland,Corresponding author
| | - Hanns Ulrich Zeilhofer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland,Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland,Center for Neuroscience Zurich (ZNZ), 8057 Zürich, Switzerland,Drug Discovery Network Zurich (DDNZ), 8057 Zürich, Switzerland,Corresponding author
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36
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Hu Z, Yu X, Chen P, Jin K, Zhou J, Wang G, Yu J, Wu T, Wang Y, Lin F, Zhang T, Wang Y, Zhao X. BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway-mediated microglial activation induces neuronal KCC2 downregulation contributing to dynamic allodynia following spared nerve injury. Mol Pain 2023; 19:17448069231185439. [PMID: 37321969 PMCID: PMC10402286 DOI: 10.1177/17448069231185439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanical allodynia can be evoked by punctate pressure contact with the skin (punctate mechanical allodynia) and dynamic contact stimulation induced by gentle touching of the skin (dynamic mechanical allodynia). Dynamic allodynia is insensitive to morphine treatment and is transmitted through the spinal dorsal horn by a specific neuronal pathway, which is different from that for punctate allodynia, leading to difficulties in clinical treatment. K+-Cl- cotransporter-2 (KCC2) is one of the major determinants of inhibitory efficiency, and the inhibitory system in the spinal cord is important in the regulation of neuropathic pain. The aim of the current study was to determine whether neuronal KCC2 is involved in the induction of dynamic allodynia and to identify underlying spinal mechanisms involved in this process. Dynamic and punctate allodynia were assessed using either von Frey filaments or a paint brush in a spared nerve injury (SNI) mouse model. Our study discovered that the downregulated neuronal membrane KCC2 (mKCC2) in the spinal dorsal horn of SNI mice is closely associated with SNI-induced dynamic allodynia, as the prevention of KCC2 downregulation significantly suppressed the induction of dynamic allodynia. The over activation of microglia in the spinal dorsal horn after SNI was at least one of the triggers in SNI-induced mKCC2 reduction and dynamic allodynia, as these effects were blocked by the inhibition of microglial activation. Finally, the BDNF-TrkB pathway mediated by activated microglial affected SNI-induced dynamic allodynia through neuronal KCC2 downregulation. Overall, our findings revealed that activation of microglia through the BDNF-TrkB pathway affected neuronal KCC2 downregulation, contributing to dynamic allodynia induction in an SNI mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihan Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai tenth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinren Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai tenth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Pei Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai tenth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Keyu Jin
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai tenth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Rehabilitation Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Guoxiang Wang
- Department of Neurology, Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiangning Yu
- Department of Neurology, Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tong Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai tenth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Yulong Wang
- Rehabilitation Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fuqing Lin
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai tenth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Tingting Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai tenth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Wang
- Department of Neurology, Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuan Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai tenth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, China
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37
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Cao B, Scherrer G, Chen L. Spinal cord retinoic acid receptor signaling gates mechanical hypersensitivity in neuropathic pain. Neuron 2022; 110:4108-4124.e6. [PMID: 36223767 PMCID: PMC9789181 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Central sensitization caused by spinal disinhibition is a key mechanism of mechanical allodynia in neuropathic pain. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying spinal disinhibition after nerve injury remain unclear. Here, we show in mice that spared nerve injury (SNI), which induces mechanical hypersensitivity and neuropathic pain, triggers homeostatic reduction of inhibitory outputs from dorsal horn parvalbumin-positive (PV+) interneurons onto both primary afferent terminals and excitatory interneurons. The reduction in inhibitory outputs drives hyperactivation of the spinal cord nociceptive pathway, causing mechanical hypersensitivity. We identified the retinoic acid receptor RARα, a central regulator of homeostatic plasticity, as the key molecular mediator for this synaptic disinhibition. Deletion of RARα in spinal PV+ neurons or application of an RARα antagonist in the spinal cord prevented the development of SNI-induced mechanical hypersensitivity. Our results identify RARα as a crucial molecular effector for neuropathic pain and a potential target for its treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Cao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wu Tsai Neuroscience Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Gregory Scherrer
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, UNC Neuroscience Center, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Lu Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wu Tsai Neuroscience Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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Kókai É, Luz LL, Fernandes EC, Safronov BV, Poisbeau P, Szucs P. Quantitative spatial analysis reveals that the local axons of lamina I projection neurons and interneurons exhibit distributions that predict distinct roles in spinal sensory processing. J Comp Neurol 2022; 530:3270-3287. [PMID: 36094014 PMCID: PMC9826435 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Our knowledge about the detailed wiring of neuronal circuits in the spinal dorsal horn (DH), where initial sensory processing takes place, is still very sparse. While a substantial amount of data is available on the somatodendritic morphology of DH neurons, the laminar and segmental distribution patterns and consequential function of individual axons are much less characterized. In the present study, we fully reconstructed the axonal and dendritic processes of 10 projection neurons (PNs) and 15 interneurons (INs) in lamina I of the rat, to reveal quantitative differences in their distribution. We also performed whole-cell patch-clamp recordings to test the predicted function of certain axon collaterals. In line with our earlier qualitative description, we found that lamina I INs in the lateral aspect of the superficial DH send axon collaterals toward the medial part and occupy mostly laminae I-III, providing anatomical basis for a lateromedial flow of information within the DH. Local axon collaterals of PNs were more extensively distributed including dorsal commissural axon collaterals that might refer to those reported earlier linking the lateral aspect of the left and right DHs. PN collaterals dominated the dorsolateral funiculus and laminae IV-VI, suggesting propriospinal and ventral connections. Indeed, patch-clamp recordings confirmed the existence of a dorsoventral excitatory drive upon activation of neurokinin-1 receptors that, although being expressed in various lamina I neurons, are specifically enriched in PNs. In summary, lamina I PNs and INs have almost identical dendritic input fields, while their segmental axon collateral distribution patterns are distinct. INs, whose somata reside in lamina I, establish local connections, may show asymmetry, and contribute to bridging the medial and lateral halves of the DH. PNs, on the other hand, preferably relay their integrated dendritic input to deeper laminae of the spinal gray matter where it might be linked to other ascending pathways or the premotor network, resulting in a putative direct contribution to the nociceptive withdrawal reflex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Éva Kókai
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of DebrecenDebrecenHungary,ELKH‐DE Neuroscience Research GroupDebrecenHungary
| | - Lilana L. Luz
- Instituto de Investigacao e Inovacao em SaudeUniversidade do PortoPortoPortugal,Neuronal Networks Group, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC)Universidade do PortoPortoPortugal
| | - Elisabete C. Fernandes
- Instituto de Investigacao e Inovacao em SaudeUniversidade do PortoPortoPortugal,Neuronal Networks Group, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC)Universidade do PortoPortoPortugal
| | - Boris V. Safronov
- Instituto de Investigacao e Inovacao em SaudeUniversidade do PortoPortoPortugal,Neuronal Networks Group, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC)Universidade do PortoPortoPortugal
| | - Pierrick Poisbeau
- Centre national de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et IntégrativesUniversity de StrasbourgStrasbourgFrance
| | - Peter Szucs
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of DebrecenDebrecenHungary,ELKH‐DE Neuroscience Research GroupDebrecenHungary
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39
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Nelson TS, Sinha GP, Santos DFS, Jukkola P, Prasoon P, Winter MK, McCarson KE, Smith BN, Taylor BK. Spinal neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor-expressing neurons are a pharmacotherapeutic target for the alleviation of neuropathic pain. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2204515119. [PMID: 36343228 PMCID: PMC9674229 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2204515119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Peripheral nerve injury sensitizes a complex network of spinal cord dorsal horn (DH) neurons to produce allodynia and neuropathic pain. The identification of a druggable target within this network has remained elusive, but a promising candidate is the neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y1 receptor-expressing interneuron (Y1-IN) population. We report that spared nerve injury (SNI) enhanced the excitability of Y1-INs and elicited allodynia (mechanical and cold hypersensitivity) and affective pain. Similarly, chemogenetic or optogenetic activation of Y1-INs in uninjured mice elicited behavioral signs of spontaneous, allodynic, and affective pain. SNI-induced allodynia was reduced by chemogenetic inhibition of Y1-INs, or intrathecal administration of a Y1-selective agonist. Conditional deletion of Npy1r in DH neurons, but not peripheral afferent neurons prevented the anti-hyperalgesic effects of the intrathecal Y1 agonist. We conclude that spinal Y1-INs are necessary and sufficient for the behavioral symptoms of neuropathic pain and represent a promising target for future pharmacotherapeutic development of Y1 agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler S. Nelson
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Center for Neuroscience, Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, Pittsburgh Project to End Opioid Misuse, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261
- Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261
| | - Ghanshyam P. Sinha
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Center for Neuroscience, Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, Pittsburgh Project to End Opioid Misuse, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261
| | - Diogo F. S. Santos
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Center for Neuroscience, Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, Pittsburgh Project to End Opioid Misuse, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261
| | - Peter Jukkola
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Center for Neuroscience, Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, Pittsburgh Project to End Opioid Misuse, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261
| | - Pranav Prasoon
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Center for Neuroscience, Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, Pittsburgh Project to End Opioid Misuse, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261
| | - Michelle K. Winter
- Kansas Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center; Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
| | - Ken E. McCarson
- Kansas Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center; Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
| | - Bret N. Smith
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536
| | - Bradley K. Taylor
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Center for Neuroscience, Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, Pittsburgh Project to End Opioid Misuse, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261
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Warwick C, Salsovic J, Hachisuka J, Smith KM, Sheahan TD, Chen H, Ibinson J, Koerber HR, Ross SE. Cell type-specific calcium imaging of central sensitization in mouse dorsal horn. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5199. [PMID: 36057681 PMCID: PMC9440908 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32608-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Allodynia is a state in which pain is elicited by innocuous stimuli. Capsaicin applied to the skin results in an allodynia that extends to a broad region beyond the application site. This sensitization is thought to be mediated by spinal networks; however, we do not have a clear picture of which spinal neurons mediate this phenomenon. To address this gap, we used two-photon calcium imaging of excitatory interneurons and spinal projection neurons in the mouse spinal dorsal horn. To distinguish among neuronal subtypes, we developed CICADA, a cell profiling approach to identify cell types during calcium imaging. We then identified capsaicin-responsive and capsaicin-sensitized neuronal populations. Capsaicin-sensitized neurons showed emergent responses to innocuous input and increased receptive field sizes consistent with psychophysical reports. Finally, we identified spinal output neurons that showed enhanced responses from innocuous input. These experiments provide a population-level view of central sensitization and a framework with which to model somatosensory integration in the dorsal horn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Warwick
- Department of Neurobiology and the Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Joseph Salsovic
- Department of Neurobiology and the Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Junichi Hachisuka
- Department of Neurobiology and the Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Spinal Cord Group, Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Kelly M Smith
- Department of Neurobiology and the Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Tayler D Sheahan
- Department of Neurobiology and the Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Haichao Chen
- Department of Neurobiology and the Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - James Ibinson
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - H Richard Koerber
- Department of Neurobiology and the Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Sarah E Ross
- Department of Neurobiology and the Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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41
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Pre-Synaptic GABAA in NaV1.8+ Primary Afferents Is Required for the Development of Punctate but Not Dynamic Mechanical Allodynia following CFA Inflammation. Cells 2022; 11:cells11152390. [PMID: 35954234 PMCID: PMC9368720 DOI: 10.3390/cells11152390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypersensitivity to mechanical stimuli is a cardinal symptom of neuropathic and inflammatory pain. A reduction in spinal inhibition is generally considered a causal factor in the development of mechanical hypersensitivity after injury. However, the extent to which presynaptic inhibition contributes to altered spinal inhibition is less well established. Here, we used conditional deletion of GABAA in NaV1.8-positive sensory neurons (Scn10aCre;Gabrb3fl/fl) to manipulate selectively presynaptic GABAergic inhibition. Behavioral testing showed that the development of inflammatory punctate allodynia was mitigated in mice lacking pre-synaptic GABAA. Dorsal horn cellular circuits were visualized in single slices using stimulus-tractable dual-labelling of c-fos mRNA for punctate and the cognate c-Fos protein for dynamic mechanical stimulation. This revealed a substantial reduction in the number of cells activated by punctate stimulation in mice lacking presynaptic GABAA and an approximate 50% overlap of the punctate with the dynamic circuit, the relative percentage of which did not change following inflammation. The reduction in dorsal horn cells activated by punctate stimuli was equally prevalent in parvalbumin- and calretinin-positive cells and across all laminae I–V, indicating a generalized reduction in spinal input. In peripheral DRG neurons, inflammation following complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) led to an increase in axonal excitability responses to GABA, suggesting that presynaptic GABA effects in NaV1.8+ afferents switch from inhibition to excitation after CFA. In the days after inflammation, presynaptic GABAA in NaV1.8+ nociceptors constitutes an “open gate” pathway allowing mechanoreceptors responding to punctate mechanical stimulation access to nociceptive dorsal horn circuits.
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Gradwell MA, Smith KM, Dayas CV, Smith DW, Hughes DI, Callister RJ, Graham BA. Altered Intrinsic Properties and Inhibitory Connectivity in Aged Parvalbumin-Expressing Dorsal Horn Neurons. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:834173. [PMID: 35874431 PMCID: PMC9305305 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.834173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of pain symptoms such as allodynia are known to increase with age. Parvalbumin expressing interneurons (PVINs) within the dorsal horn (DH) of the spinal cord play an important role in allodynia whereby their inhibitory connections prevent innocuous touch information from exciting nociceptive pathways. Here we ask whether the functional properties of PVINs are altered by aging, comparing their functional properties in adult (3–7 month) and aged mice (23–28 month). Patch clamp recordings were made from PVINs in laminae IIi-III of parasagittal spinal cord slices. The intrinsic excitability of PVINs changed with age. Specifically, AP discharge shifted from initial bursting to tonic firing, and firing duration during current injection increased. The nature of excitatory synaptic input to PVINs also changed with age with larger but less frequent spontaneous excitatory currents occurring in aged mice, however, the net effect of these differences produced a similar level of overall excitatory drive. Inhibitory drive was also remarkably similar in adult and aged PVINs. Photostimulation of ChR2 expressing PVINs was used to study inhibitory connections between PVINs and unidentified DH neurons and other PVINs. Based on latency and jitter, monosynaptic PVIN to unidentified-cell and PVIN-PVIN connections were compared in adult and aged mice, showing that PVIN to unidentified-cell connection strength increased with age. Fitting single or double exponentials to the decay phase of IPSCs showed there was also a shift from mixed (glycinergic and GABAergic) to GABAergic inhibitory transmission in aged animals. Overall, our data suggest the properties of PVIN neurons in aged animals enhance their output in spinal circuits in a manner that would blunt allodynia and help maintain normal sensory experience during aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A. Gradwell
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
| | - Kelly M. Smith
- Centre for Neuroscience, Science Tower, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Christopher V. Dayas
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Brain Neuromodulation Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Douglas W. Smith
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Brain Neuromodulation Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - David I. Hughes
- Institute of Neuroscience Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Robert J. Callister
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Brain Neuromodulation Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Brett A. Graham
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Brain Neuromodulation Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Brett A. Graham,
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Ishibashi T, Yoshikawa Y, Sueto D, Tashima R, Tozaki-Saitoh H, Koga K, Yamaura K, Tsuda M. Selective Involvement of a Subset of Spinal Dorsal Horn Neurons Operated by a Prodynorphin Promoter in Aβ Fiber-Mediated Neuropathic Allodynia-Like Behavioral Responses in Rats. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:911122. [PMID: 35813063 PMCID: PMC9260077 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.911122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanical allodynia (pain produced by innocuous stimuli such as touch) is the main symptom of neuropathic pain. Its underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated, but peripheral nerve injury (PNI)-induced malfunction of neuronal circuits in the central nervous system, including the spinal dorsal horn (SDH), is thought to be involved in touch-pain conversion. Here, we found that intra-SDH injection of adeno-associated viral vectors including a prodynorphin promoter (AAV-PdynP) captured a subset of neurons that were mainly located in the superficial laminae, including lamina I, and exhibited mostly inhibitory characteristics. Using transgenic rats that enable optogenetic stimulation of touch-sensing Aβ fibers, we found that the light-evoked paw withdrawal behavior and aversive responses after PNI were attenuated by selective ablation of AAV-PdynP-captured SDH neurons. Notably, the ablation had no effect on withdrawal behavior from von Frey filaments. Furthermore, Aβ fiber stimulation did not excite AAV-PdynP+ SDH neurons under normal conditions, but after PNI, this induced excitation, possibly due to enhanced Aβ fiber-evoked excitatory synaptic inputs and elevated resting membrane potentials of these neurons. Moreover, the chemogenetic silencing of AAV-PdynP+ neurons of PNI rats attenuated the Aβ fiber-evoked paw withdrawal behavior and c-FOS expression in superficial SDH neurons. Our findings suggest that PNI renders AAV-PdynP-captured neurons excitable to Aβ fiber stimulation, which selectively contributes to the conversion of Aβ fiber-mediated touch signal to nociceptive. Thus, reducing the excitability of AAV-PdynP-captured neurons may be a new option for the treatment of neuropathic allodynia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadayuki Ishibashi
- Department of Molecular and System Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yu Yoshikawa
- Department of Molecular and System Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Daichi Sueto
- Department of Molecular and System Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ryoichi Tashima
- Department of Molecular and System Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Tozaki-Saitoh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, International University of Health and Welfare, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Keisuke Koga
- Department of Neurophysiology, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - Ken Yamaura
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Makoto Tsuda
- Department of Molecular and System Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
- Kyushu University Institute for Advanced Study, Fukuoka, Japan
- *Correspondence: Makoto Tsuda
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44
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Spinal ascending pathways for somatosensory information processing. Trends Neurosci 2022; 45:594-607. [PMID: 35701247 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2022.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The somatosensory system processes diverse types of information including mechanical, thermal, and chemical signals. It has an essential role in sensory perception and body movement and, thus, is crucial for organism survival. The neural network for processing somatosensory information comprises multiple key nodes. Spinal projection neurons represent the key node for transmitting somatosensory information from the periphery to the brain. Although the anatomy of spinal ascending pathways has been characterized, the mechanisms underlying somatosensory information processing by spinal ascending pathways are incompletely understood. Recent studies have begun to reveal the diversity of spinal ascending pathways and their functional roles in somatosensory information processing. Here, we review the anatomic, molecular, and functional characteristics of spinal ascending pathways.
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45
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Zhou F, Metzner K, Engel P, Balzulat A, Sisignano M, Ruth P, Lukowski R, Schmidtko A, Lu R. Slack Potassium Channels Modulate TRPA1-Mediated Nociception in Sensory Neurons. Cells 2022; 11:cells11101693. [PMID: 35626730 PMCID: PMC9140117 DOI: 10.3390/cells11101693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The transient receptor potential (TRP) ankyrin type 1 (TRPA1) channel is highly expressed in a subset of sensory neurons where it acts as an essential detector of painful stimuli. However, the mechanisms that control the activity of sensory neurons upon TRPA1 activation remain poorly understood. Here, using in situ hybridization and immunostaining, we found TRPA1 to be extensively co-localized with the potassium channel Slack (KNa1.1, Slo2.2, or Kcnt1) in sensory neurons. Mice lacking Slack globally (Slack−/−) or conditionally in sensory neurons (SNS-Slack−/−) demonstrated increased pain behavior after intraplantar injection of the TRPA1 activator allyl isothiocyanate. By contrast, pain behavior induced by the TRP vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) activator capsaicin was normal in Slack-deficient mice. Patch-clamp recordings in sensory neurons and in a HEK cell line transfected with TRPA1 and Slack revealed that Slack-dependent potassium currents (IKS) are modulated in a TRPA1-dependent manner. Taken together, our findings highlight Slack as a modulator of TRPA1-mediated, but not TRPV1-mediated, activation of sensory neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangyuan Zhou
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Goethe University, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (F.Z.); (K.M.); (P.E.); (A.B.); (A.S.)
| | - Katharina Metzner
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Goethe University, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (F.Z.); (K.M.); (P.E.); (A.B.); (A.S.)
| | - Patrick Engel
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Goethe University, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (F.Z.); (K.M.); (P.E.); (A.B.); (A.S.)
| | - Annika Balzulat
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Goethe University, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (F.Z.); (K.M.); (P.E.); (A.B.); (A.S.)
| | - Marco Sisignano
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmazentrum Frankfurt/ZAFES, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany;
| | - Peter Ruth
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacy, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (P.R.); (R.L.)
| | - Robert Lukowski
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacy, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (P.R.); (R.L.)
| | - Achim Schmidtko
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Goethe University, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (F.Z.); (K.M.); (P.E.); (A.B.); (A.S.)
| | - Ruirui Lu
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Goethe University, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (F.Z.); (K.M.); (P.E.); (A.B.); (A.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-69-798-29377
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Mack D, Yevugah A, Renner K, Burrell BD. Serotonin mediates stress-like effects on responses to non-nociceptive stimuli in Hirudo. J Exp Biol 2022; 225:275639. [PMID: 35510636 PMCID: PMC9234501 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.243404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Noxious stimuli can elicit stress in animals that produce a variety of adaptations including changes in responses to nociceptive and non-nociceptive sensory input. One example is stress-induced analgesia that may be mediated, in part, by the endocannabinoid system. However, endocannabinoids can also have pro-nociceptive effects. In this study, the effects of electroshock, one experimental approach for producing acute stress, were examined on responses to non-nociceptive mechanical stimuli and nociceptive thermal stimuli in the medicinal leech (Hirudo verbana). The electroshock stimuli did not alter the leeches’ responses to nociceptive stimuli, but did cause sensitization to non-nociceptive stimuli, characterized by a reduction in response threshold. These experiments were repeated with drugs that either blocked synthesis of the endocannabinoid transmitter 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) or transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) channel, which is known to act as an endocannabinoid receptor. Surprisingly, neither treatment had any effect on responses following electroshock. However, the electroshock stimuli reliably increased serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5HT) levels in the H. verbana CNS. Injection of 5HT mimicked the effects of the electroshocks, sensitizing responses to non-nociceptive stimuli and having no effect on responses to nociceptive stimuli. Injections of the 5HT receptor antagonist methysergide reduced the sensitization effect to non-nociceptive stimuli after electroshock treatment. These results indicate that electroshocks enhance response to non-nociceptive stimuli but do not alter responses to nociceptive stimuli. Furthermore, while 5HT appears to play a critical role in this shock-induced sensitizing effect, the endocannabinoid system seems to have no effect. Summary: The role of serotonin and endocannabinoids in mediating the effects of potentially stress-inducing stimuli on Hirudo verbana’s response to nociceptive and non-nociceptive input.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Mack
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, University of South Dakota, USA.,Center for Brain and Behavior Research, University of South Dakota, USA
| | | | - Kenneth Renner
- Department of Biology, University of South Dakota, USA.,Center for Brain and Behavior Research, University of South Dakota, USA
| | - Brian D Burrell
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, University of South Dakota, USA.,Center for Brain and Behavior Research, University of South Dakota, USA
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47
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Hiraga SI, Itokazu T, Nishibe M, Yamashita T. Neuroplasticity related to chronic pain and its modulation by microglia. Inflamm Regen 2022; 42:15. [PMID: 35501933 PMCID: PMC9063368 DOI: 10.1186/s41232-022-00199-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain is often chronic and can persist after overt tissue damage heals, suggesting that its underlying mechanism involves the alteration of neuronal function. Such an alteration can be a direct consequence of nerve damage or a result of neuroplasticity secondary to the damage to tissues or to neurons. Recent studies have shown that neuroplasticity is linked to causing neuropathic pain in response to nerve damage, which may occur adjacent to or remotely from the site of injury. Furthermore, studies have revealed that neuroplasticity relevant to chronic pain is modulated by microglia, resident immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS). Microglia may directly contribute to synaptic remodeling and altering pain circuits, or indirectly contribute to neuroplasticity through property changes, including the secretion of growth factors. We herein highlight the mechanisms underlying neuroplasticity that occur in the somatosensory circuit of the spinal dorsal horn, thalamus, and cortex associated with chronic pain following injury to the peripheral nervous system (PNS) or CNS. We also discuss the dynamic functions of microglia in shaping neuroplasticity related to chronic pain. We suggest further understanding of post-injury ectopic plasticity in the somatosensory circuits may shed light on the differential mechanisms underlying nociceptive, neuropathic, and nociplastic-type pain. While one of the prominent roles played by microglia appears to be the modulation of post-injury neuroplasticity. Therefore, future molecular- or genetics-based studies that address microglia-mediated post-injury neuroplasticity may contribute to the development of novel therapies for chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin-Ichiro Hiraga
- Department of Neuro-Medical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takahide Itokazu
- Department of Neuro-Medical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan. .,Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Mariko Nishibe
- Center for Strategic Innovative Dentistry, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Toshihide Yamashita
- Department of Neuro-Medical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan. .,Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan. .,WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka, Japan. .,Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
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Harding EK, Zamponi GW. Central and peripheral contributions of T-type calcium channels in pain. Mol Brain 2022; 15:39. [PMID: 35501819 PMCID: PMC9063214 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-022-00923-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractChronic pain is a severely debilitating condition that reflects a long-term sensitization of signal transduction in the afferent pain pathway. Among the key players in this pathway are T-type calcium channels, in particular the Cav3.2 isoform. Because of their biophysical characteristics, these channels are ideally suited towards regulating neuronal excitability. Recent evidence suggests that T-type channels contribute to excitability of neurons all along the ascending and descending pain pathways, within primary afferent neurons, spinal dorsal horn neurons, and within pain-processing neurons in the midbrain and cortex. Here we review the contribution of T-type channels to neuronal excitability and function in each of these neuronal populations and how they are dysregulated in chronic pain conditions. Finally, we discuss their molecular pharmacology and the potential role of these channels as therapeutic targets for chronic pain.
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49
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El Khoueiry C, Alba-Delgado C, Antri M, Gutierrez-Mecinas M, Todd AJ, Artola A, Dallel R. GABAA and Glycine Receptor-Mediated Inhibitory Synaptic Transmission onto Adult Rat Lamina IIi PKCγ-Interneurons: Pharmacological but not Anatomical Specialization. Cells 2022; 11:cells11081356. [PMID: 35456035 PMCID: PMC9033052 DOI: 10.3390/cells11081356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanical allodynia (pain to normally innocuous tactile stimuli) is a widespread symptom of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Spinal or medullary dorsal horn (SDH or MDH) circuits mediating tactile sensation and pain need to interact in order to evoke mechanical allodynia. PKCγ-expressing (PKCγ+) interneurons and inhibitory controls within SDH/MDH inner lamina II (IIi) are pivotal in connecting touch and pain circuits. However, the relative contribution of GABA and glycine to PKCγ+ interneuron inhibition remains unknown. We characterized inhibitory inputs onto PKCγ+ interneurons by combining electrophysiology to record spontaneous and miniature IPSCs (sIPSCs, mIPSCs) and immunohistochemical detection of GABAARα2 and GlyRα1 subunits in adult rat MDH. While GlyR-only- and GABAAR-only-mediated mIPSCs/sIPSCs are predominantly recorded from PKCγ+ interneurons, immunohistochemistry reveals that ~80% of their inhibitory synapses possess both GABAARα2 and GlyRα1. Moreover, nearly all inhibitory boutons at gephyrin-expressing synapses on these cells contain glutamate decarboxylase and are therefore GABAergic, with around half possessing the neuronal glycine transporter (GlyT2) and therefore being glycinergic. Thus, while GABA and glycine are presumably co-released and GABAARs and GlyRs are present at most inhibitory synapses on PKCγ+ interneurons, these interneurons exhibit almost exclusively GABAAR-only and GlyR-only quantal postsynaptic inhibitory currents, suggesting a pharmacological specialization of their inhibitory synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne El Khoueiry
- Neuro-Dol, Inserm, Université Clermont Auvergne, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (C.E.K.); (C.A.-D.); (M.A.)
| | - Cristina Alba-Delgado
- Neuro-Dol, Inserm, Université Clermont Auvergne, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (C.E.K.); (C.A.-D.); (M.A.)
| | - Myriam Antri
- Neuro-Dol, Inserm, Université Clermont Auvergne, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (C.E.K.); (C.A.-D.); (M.A.)
| | - Maria Gutierrez-Mecinas
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK; (M.G.-M.); (A.J.T.)
| | - Andrew J. Todd
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK; (M.G.-M.); (A.J.T.)
| | - Alain Artola
- Neuro-Dol, Inserm, Université Clermont Auvergne, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (C.E.K.); (C.A.-D.); (M.A.)
- Correspondence: (A.A.); (R.D.)
| | - Radhouane Dallel
- Neuro-Dol, Inserm, Université Clermont Auvergne, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (C.E.K.); (C.A.-D.); (M.A.)
- Correspondence: (A.A.); (R.D.)
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50
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Medlock L, Sekiguchi K, Hong S, Dura-Bernal S, Lytton WW, Prescott SA. Multiscale Computer Model of the Spinal Dorsal Horn Reveals Changes in Network Processing Associated with Chronic Pain. J Neurosci 2022; 42:3133-3149. [PMID: 35232767 PMCID: PMC8996343 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1199-21.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain-related sensory input is processed in the spinal dorsal horn (SDH) before being relayed to the brain. That processing profoundly influences whether stimuli are correctly or incorrectly perceived as painful. Significant advances have been made in identifying the types of excitatory and inhibitory neurons that comprise the SDH, and there is some information about how neuron types are connected, but it remains unclear how the overall circuit processes sensory input or how that processing is disrupted under chronic pain conditions. To explore SDH function, we developed a computational model of the circuit that is tightly constrained by experimental data. Our model comprises conductance-based neuron models that reproduce the characteristic firing patterns of spinal neurons. Excitatory and inhibitory neuron populations, defined by their expression of genetic markers, spiking pattern, or morphology, were synaptically connected according to available qualitative data. Using a genetic algorithm, synaptic weights were tuned to reproduce projection neuron firing rates (model output) based on primary afferent firing rates (model input) across a range of mechanical stimulus intensities. Disparate synaptic weight combinations could produce equivalent circuit function, revealing degeneracy that may underlie heterogeneous responses of different circuits to perturbations or pathologic insults. To validate our model, we verified that it responded to the reduction of inhibition (i.e., disinhibition) and ablation of specific neuron types in a manner consistent with experiments. Thus validated, our model offers a valuable resource for interpreting experimental results and testing hypotheses in silico to plan experiments for examining normal and pathologic SDH circuit function.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT We developed a multiscale computer model of the posterior part of spinal cord gray matter (spinal dorsal horn), which is involved in perceiving touch and pain. The model reproduces several experimental observations and makes predictions about how specific types of spinal neurons and synapses influence projection neurons that send information to the brain. Misfiring of these projection neurons can produce anomalous sensations associated with chronic pain. Our computer model will not only assist in planning future experiments, but will also be useful for developing new pharmacotherapy for chronic pain disorders, connecting the effect of drugs acting at the molecular scale with emergent properties of neurons and circuits that shape the pain experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Medlock
- Neurosciences & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A4, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Kazutaka Sekiguchi
- Drug Developmental Research Laboratory, Shionogi Pharmaceutical Research Center, Toyonaka, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
- State University of New York Downstate Health Science University, Brooklyn, New York 11203
| | - Sungho Hong
- Computational Neuroscience Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan
| | - Salvador Dura-Bernal
- State University of New York Downstate Health Science University, Brooklyn, New York 11203
- Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York 10962
| | - William W Lytton
- State University of New York Downstate Health Science University, Brooklyn, New York 11203
- Kings County Hospital, Brooklyn, New York 11207
| | - Steven A Prescott
- Neurosciences & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A4, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
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