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Qu Y, Cai R, Li Q, Wang H, Lu L. Neuroinflammation signatures in dorsal root ganglia following chronic constriction injury. Heliyon 2024; 10:e31481. [PMID: 38813203 PMCID: PMC11133895 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31481] [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: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain (NP) is a common debilitating chronic pain condition with limited effective therapeutics. Further investigating mechanisms underlying NP is therefore of great importance for discovering more promising therapeutic targets. In the current study, we employed high-throughput RNA sequencing to explore transcriptome profiles of mRNAs and microRNAs in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) following chronic constriction injury (CCI) and also integrated published datasets for comprehensive analysis. First, we established CCI rat model confirmed by behavioral testings, and excavated 467 differentially expressed mRNAs (DEGs) and 16 differentially expressed microRNAs (DEmiRNAs) in the ipsilateral lumbar 4-6 DRG of CCI rats 11 days after surgery. Functional enrichment analysis of 337 upregulated DEGs showed that most of the DEGs were enriched in inflammation- and immune-associated biological processes and signaling pathways. The protein-protein interaction networks were constructed and hub DEGs were screened. Besides hub DEGs, we also identified 113 overlapped DEGs by intersecting our dataset with dataset GSE100122. Subsequently, we predicted potential miRNA-mRNA regulatory pairs using DEmiRNAs and a given set of key DEGs (including hub and overlapped DEGs). By integrative analysis, we found commonly differentially expressed mRNAs and miRNAs following CCI of different time points and different nerve injury types. Highlighted mRNAs include Atf3, Vip, Gal, Npy, Adcyap1, Reg3b, Jun, Cd74, Gadd45a, Tgm1, Csrp3, Sprr1a, Serpina3n, Gap43, Serpinb2 and Vtcn1, while miRNAs include miR-21-5p, miR-34a-5p, miR-200a-3p, miR-130a-5p, miR-216b-5p, miR-217-5p, and miR-541-5p. Additionally, 15 DEGs, including macrophages-specific (Cx3cr1, Arg1, Cd68, Csf1r) and the ones related to macrophages' involvement in NP (Ccl2, Fcgr3a, Bdnf, Ctss, Tyrobp) were verified by qRT-PCR. By functional experiments in future studies, promising therapeutic targets for NP treatment may be identified among these mRNAs and miRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Qu
- Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, No.1 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
- Department of Pain Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Ruirui Cai
- School of Information Science and Technology, Institute of Computational Biology, Northeast Normal University, No.2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun, 130117, Jilin, China
| | - Qiao Li
- Department of Spinal Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Han Wang
- School of Information Science and Technology, Institute of Computational Biology, Northeast Normal University, No.2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun, 130117, Jilin, China
| | - Laijin Lu
- Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, No.1 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
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Serafini RA, Ramakrishnan A, Shen L, Zachariou V. Desipramine induces anti-inflammatory dorsal root ganglion transcriptional signatures in the murine spared nerve injury model. NEUROBIOLOGY OF PAIN (CAMBRIDGE, MASS.) 2024; 15:100153. [PMID: 38549875 PMCID: PMC10973649 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynpai.2024.100153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Monoamine-targeting antidepressants serve as frontline medications for chronic pain and associated comorbidities. While persistent anti-allodynic properties of antidepressants generally require weeks of treatment, several groups have demonstrated acute analgesic effects within hours of administration, suggesting a role in non-mesocorticolimbic pain processing regions such as the peripheral nervous system. To further explore this possibility, after four weeks of spared nerve injury or sham surgeries, we systemically administered desipramine or saline for an additional three weeks and performed whole transcriptome RNA sequencing on L3-6 dorsal root ganglia. Along with alterations in molecular pathways associated with neuronal activity, we observed a robust immunomodulatory transcriptional signature in the desipramine treated group. Cell subtype deconvolution predicted that these changes were associated with A- and C-fibers. Of note, differentially expressed genes from the dorsal root ganglia of DMI-treated, injured mice were largely unique compared to those from the nucleus accumbens of the same animals. These observations suggest that, under peripheral nerve injury conditions, desipramine induces specific gene expression changes across various regions of the nociceptive circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randal A. Serafini
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Avedisian and Chobanian School of Medicine at Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, United States
| | - Aarthi Ramakrishnan
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Li Shen
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Avedisian and Chobanian School of Medicine at Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, United States
| | - Venetia Zachariou
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Avedisian and Chobanian School of Medicine at Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, United States
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Deng Y, Tang S, Cheng J, Zhang X, Jing D, Lin Z, Zhou J. Integrated analysis reveals Atf3 promotes neuropathic pain via orchestrating JunB mediated release of inflammatory cytokines in DRG macrophage. Life Sci 2023; 329:121939. [PMID: 37451398 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121939] [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: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The dorsal root ganglion (DRG) is actively involved in the development of neuropathic pain (NP), serving as an intermediate station for pain signals from the peripheral nervous system to the central nervous system. The mechanism by which DRG is involved in NP regulation is not fully understood. The immune system plays a pivotal role in the physiological and pathological states of the human body. In recent years, the immune system has been thought to play an increasingly important role in the pathogenesis of NP. The immune system plays a key role in pain through specific immune cells and their immune-related genes (IRGs). However, the mechanism by which IRGs of DRG regulate NP action has not been fully elucidated. Here, we performed Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses of IRGs in DRG bulk-RNA sequencing data from spared nerve injury (SNI) model mice and found that their IRGs were enriched in many pathways, especially in the immune response pathway. Subsequently, we analyzed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from DRGs extracted from the SNI model and identified eight cell populations. Among them, the highest IRG activity was presented in macrophages. Next, we analyzed the scRNA and bulk-sequencing data and deduced five common transcription factors (TFs) from differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network suggested that Atf3 and JunB are closely related. In vitro experiments, we verified that the protein and mRNA expressions of Atf3 and JunB were up-regulated in macrophages after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Moreover, the down-regulation of Atf3 reduced the release of inflammatory cytokines and decreased the protein and mRNA expression levels of JunB. The down-regulation of JunB also reduced the release of inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, overexpression of JunB attenuated the effect of Atf3 down-regulation in reducing the release of inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, we speculated that Atf3 might promote NP through JunB-mediated release of inflammatory factors in DRG macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingdong Deng
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510000, China
| | - Simin Tang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510000, China
| | - Jiurong Cheng
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510000, China
| | - Xiangsheng Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510000, China
| | - Danqin Jing
- College of Anesthesiology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province 030001, China
| | - Ziqiang Lin
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510000, China
| | - Jun Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510000, China.
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Meng M, Feng H, Tang S, Peng X. Efficacy of ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage for acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis combined with septic shock. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2023; 78:100258. [PMID: 37523978 PMCID: PMC10404602 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinsp.2023.100258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage (PTCD) for the treatment of Acute Obstructive Suppurative Cholangitis (AOSC) combined with septic shock due to choledocholithiasis, and its effect on inflammatory factors. METHODS Clinical data of 86 patients with AOSC and septic shock admitted to our hospital between January 2019 and May 2021 were retrospectively analyzed and grouped according to different treatment methods. Among them, 43 patients who underwent Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and Endoscopic Nasobiliary Drainage (ENBD) were included in the Control Group (CNG), and 43 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided PTCD were included in the Study Group (SG). RESULTS The total effective rate in the SG (88.37%) was higher than that in the CNG (69.77%) (p < 0.05); after surgery, the serum inflammatory factors PCT, IL-6, TNF-α, CRP levels, liver function indicators such as TBIL, DBIL, AST, ALT levels, and stress response indicators including NPY, PGE2, 5-HT levels were reduced, and were lower in the SG than in the CNG (p < 0.05); postoperatively, CD3+, CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+ levels in the CNG were significantly lower than those before surgery (p < 0.05); Postoperatively, CD3+, CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+ levels in the SG were significantly higher than those in the CNG (p < 0.05); and the complication rate in the SG (6.98%) was lower than that in the CNG (25.58%) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Ultrasound-guided PTCD for AOSC combined with septic shock can facilitate the recovery of liver and immune functions with a low complication rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Meng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Wuxi n 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hui Feng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Wuxi n 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shuan Tang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Wuxi n 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaobin Peng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Wuxi n 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, China.
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Chen SH, Wu CC, Tseng WL, Lu FI, Liu YH, Lin SP, Lin SC, Hsueh YY. Adipose-derived stem cells modulate neuroinflammation and improve functional recovery in chronic constriction injury of the rat sciatic nerve. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1172740. [PMID: 37457010 PMCID: PMC10339833 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1172740] [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: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Compressive neuropathy, a common chronic traumatic injury of peripheral nerves, leads to variable impairment in sensory and motor function. Clinical symptoms persist in a significant portion of patients despite decompression, with muscle atrophy and persistent neuropathic pain affecting 10%-25% of cases. Excessive inflammation and immune cell infiltration in the injured nerve hinder axon regeneration and functional recovery. Although adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have demonstrated neural regeneration and immunomodulatory potential, their specific effects on compressive neuropathy are still unclear. Methods We conducted modified CCI models on adult male Sprague-Dawley rats to induce irreversible neuropathic pain and muscle atrophy in the sciatic nerve. Intraneural ASC injection and nerve decompression were performed. Behavioral analysis, muscle examination, electrophysiological evaluation, and immunofluorescent examination of the injured nerve and associated DRG were conducted to explore axon regeneration, neuroinflammation, and the modulation of inflammatory gene expression. Transplanted ASCs were tracked to investigate potential beneficial mechanisms on the local nerve and DRG. Results Persistent neuropathic pain was induced by chronic constriction of the rat sciatic nerve. Local ASC treatment has demonstrated robust beneficial outcomes, including the alleviation of mechanical allodynia, improvement of gait, regeneration of muscle fibers, and electrophysiological recovery. In addition, locally transplanted ASCs facilitated axon remyelination, alleviated neuroinflammation, and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration of the injured nerve and associated dorsal root ganglion (DRG). Trafficking of the transplanted ASC preserved viability and phenotype less than 7 days but contributed to robust immunomodulatory regulation of inflammatory gene expression in both the injured nerve and DRG. Discussion Locally transplanted ASC on compressed nerve improve sensory and motor recoveries from irreversible chronic constriction injury of rat sciatic nerve via alleviation of both local and remote neuroinflammation, suggesting the promising role of adjuvant ASC therapies for clinical compressive neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szu-Han Chen
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Center of Cell Therapy, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- International Research Center for Wound Repair and Regeneration, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ching Wu
- International Research Center for Wound Repair and Regeneration, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Ling Tseng
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Fu-I Lu
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry Science, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- The integrative Evolutionary Galliform Genomics (iEGG) and Animal Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Hsin Liu
- Department of Life Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shau-Ping Lin
- Institute of Biotechnology, College of Bio-Resources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Che Lin
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, An-Nan Hospital, China Medical University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Yu Hsueh
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Center of Cell Therapy, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- International Research Center for Wound Repair and Regeneration, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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The Antinociceptive Potential of Camellia japonica Leaf Extract, (−)-Epicatechin, and Rutin against Chronic Constriction Injury-Induced Neuropathic Pain in Rats. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11020410. [PMID: 35204294 PMCID: PMC8869459 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11020410] [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: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain is caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system. Currently, prescribed treatments are still unsatisfactory or have limited effectiveness. Camellia japonica leaves are known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.; however, their antinociceptive efficacy has not yet been explored. We examined the antinociceptive efficacy and underlying mechanism of C. japonica leaf extract (CJE) in chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced neuropathic pain models. To test the antinociceptive activity of CJE, three types of allodynia were evaluated: punctate allodynia using von Frey filaments, dynamic allodynia using a paintbrush and cotton swab, and cold allodynia using a cold plate test. CCI rats developed neuropathic pain representing increases in the three types of allodynia and spontaneous pain. In addition, CCI rats showed high phosphorylation levels of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), transcription factors, and nociceptive mediators in dorsal root ganglion (DRG). The ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 levels and neuroinflammation also increased following CCI surgery in the spinal cord. CJE and its active components have potential antinociceptive effects against CCI-induced neuropathic pain that might be mediated by MAPK activation in the DRG and microglial activation in the spinal cord. These findings suggest that CJE, (−)-epicatechin, and rutin could be novel candidates for neuropathic pain management.
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Lo WC, Chen YT, Chen CC. The Effects of Elgucare on Degenerated Intervertebral Disc-Induced Low Back Pain and Disc Regeneration: A Clinical Trial. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2021; 2021:5824956. [PMID: 34790253 PMCID: PMC8592736 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5824956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic low back pain (LBP) has a wide range of causes. However, most cases are induced by degeneration of the lumbar intervertebral discs (IVDs), and the aching caused by local compression of the affected region has considerable impacts on quality of life. This clinical trial investigated the use of Elgucare, a Chinese herbal formula, as a food supplement to reduce the pain of patients with LBP induced by degeneration of the lumbar IVDs. METHODS The study assessed patient subjective quality of life, functional limitations caused by LBP, and variations in pain. The assessment was done through the visual analogue scale (VAS) and effects on lumbar IVD thickness, water content, and bone mineral density (BMD). These parameters were evaluated before and after the administration of Elgucare or a placebo, one of which was taken by each participant for a 12-month period. RESULTS Elgucare reduced the patients' mean VAS pain score by 2.25 points and improved their mean LBP-hampered mobility as assessed by the Roland-Morris Questionnaire by 5.17 points. The results of another questionnaire indicated that Elgucare slowed the LBP-induced deterioration of patients' quality of life, while objective assessment indices obtained through X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging showed that the height and water retention of their IVDs were increased. However, the BMD results showed no improvements. CONCLUSIONS Elgucare can increase the water retention and height of IVDs and reduce LBP, thereby enhancing quality of life. Therefore, Elgucare can potentially be used as a clinical supplement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Cheng Lo
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu Ting Chen
- Research and Development of DC Botanical Biotechnology CO., LTD, LDY Chinese Medicine Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chen Ching Chen
- DC Botanical Biotechnology CO., LTD, LDY Chinese Medicine Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
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Bai X, Xiao K, Yang Z, Zhang Z, Li J, Yan Z, Cao K, Zhang W, Zhang X. Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth relieve pain via downregulation of c-Jun in a rat model of trigeminal neuralgia. J Oral Rehabil 2021; 49:219-227. [PMID: 34386989 DOI: 10.1111/joor.13243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) have excellent immunomodulatory and neuroprotective abilities. It is possible that systemic SHED transplantation could ameliorate trigeminal neuralgia. The phosphorylation of c-Jun contributes to the development of hyperalgesia and allodynia. OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to evaluate whether systemic SHED transplantation could lead to analgesic effects by regulating peripheral c-Jun in the trigeminal ganglia (TG) in a rat model of trigeminal neuralgia. METHODS Chronic constriction injury of the infraorbital nerve (CCI-ION) was performed to establish a rat pain model. SHED were obtained from discarded exfoliated deciduous teeth from children and transplanted by a single infusion through the tail vein. SHED were labelled with the PKH26 red fluorescent cell linker mini kit for tract distribution. The mechanical threshold was determined using von Frey filaments. The mRNA levels of c-Jun in the ipsilateral TG were quantified. The phosphorylation of c-Jun in the ipsilateral TG was assessed by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. RESULTS PKH26-labelled SHED were distributed to both sides of TG, lung, liver and spleen. Systemic SHED transplantation significantly elevated the mechanical thresholds in CCI-ION rats and blocked the upregulation of c-Jun mRNA levels in the TG caused by nerve ligation. The activation of c-Jun in the TG was blocked by SHED transplantation. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that systemic SHED administration reverts trigeminal neuralgia via downregulation of c-Jun in the TG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Bai
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Shenyang, China
| | - Ke Xiao
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Shenyang, China.,Painless Dental Treatment Center, Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhijie Yang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Shenyang, China
| | - Ziqi Zhang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Shenyang, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Shenyang, China
| | - Ziyi Yan
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Shenyang, China
| | - Keda Cao
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Shenyang, China
| | - Weiqian Zhang
- Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xia Zhang
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Shenyang, China.,Painless Dental Treatment Center, Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Brifault C, Romero H, Van-Enoo A, Pizzo D, Azmoon P, Kwon H, Nasamran C, Gonias SL, Campana WM. Deletion of the Gene Encoding the NMDA Receptor GluN1 Subunit in Schwann Cells Causes Ultrastructural Changes in Remak Bundles and Hypersensitivity in Pain Processing. J Neurosci 2020; 40:9121-9136. [PMID: 33051351 PMCID: PMC7672997 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0663-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormalities in interactions between sensory neurons and Schwann cells (SCs) may result in heightened pain processing and chronic pain states. We previously reported that SCs express the NMDA receptor (NMDA-R), which activates cell signaling in response to glutamate and specific protein ligands, such as tissue-type plasminogen activator. Herein, we genetically targeted grin1 encoding the essential GluN1 NMDA-R subunit, conditionally in SCs, to create a novel mouse model in which SCs are NMDA-R-deficient (GluN1- mice). These mice demonstrated increased sensitivity to light touch, pinprick, and thermal hyperalgesia in the absence of injury, without associated changes in motor function. Ultrastructural analysis of adult sciatic nerve in GluN1- mice revealed increases in the density of Aδ fibers and Remak bundles and a decrease in the density of Aβ fibers, without altered g-ratios. Abnormalities in adult Remak bundle ultrastructure were also present including aberrant C-fiber ensheathment, distances between axons, and increased poly-axonal pockets. Developmental and post radial sorting defects contributed to altered nerve fiber densities in adult. Uninjured sciatic nerves in GluN1- mice did not demonstrate an increase in neuroinflammatory infiltrates. Transcriptome profiling of dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) revealed 138 differentially regulated genes in GluN1- mice. One third of the regulated genes are known to be involved in pain processing, including sprr1a, npy, fgf3, atf3, and cckbr, which were significantly increased. The intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) was significantly decreased in the skin of GluN1- mice. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that SC NMDA-R is essential for normal PNS development and for preventing development of pain states.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Chronic unremitting pain is a prevalent medical condition; however, the molecular mechanisms that underlie heightened pain processing remain incompletely understood. Emerging data suggest that abnormalities in Schwann cells (SCs) may cause neuropathic pain. We established a novel mouse model for small fiber neuropathy (SFN) in which grin1, the gene that encodes the NMDA receptor (NMDA-R) GluN1 subunit, is deleted in SCs. These mice demonstrate hypersensitivity in pain processing in the absence of nerve injury. Changes in the density of intraepidermal small fibers, the ultrastructure of Remak bundles, and the transcriptome of dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) provide possible explanations for the increase in pain processing. Our results support the hypothesis that abnormalities in communication between sensory nerve fibers and SCs may result in pain states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coralie Brifault
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Haylie Romero
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
- Program in Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Alicia Van-Enoo
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
- Program in Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Don Pizzo
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Pardis Azmoon
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - HyoJun Kwon
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Chanond Nasamran
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Steven L Gonias
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Wendy M Campana
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
- Program in Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
- San Diego Veterans Administration Health Care System, San Diego, California 92161
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10
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Sun W, Kou D, Yu Z, Yang S, Jiang C, Xiong D, Xiao L, Deng Q, Xie H, Hao Y. A Transcriptomic Analysis of Neuropathic Pain in Rat Dorsal Root Ganglia Following Peripheral Nerve Injury. Neuromolecular Med 2019; 22:250-263. [PMID: 31858405 DOI: 10.1007/s12017-019-08581-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this work is to provide a comprehensive and unbiased understanding at the molecular correlates of peripheral nerve injury. In this study, we screened the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the DRG from rats using RNA-seq technique. Moreover, the bioinformatics methods were used to figure out the signaling pathways and expression regulation pattern of the DEGs enriched in. In addition, quantitative real-time RT-PCR was carried out to further confirm the expression of DEGs. 414 genes were upregulated, while 184 genes were downregulated in the DRG of rats 7 days after partial sciatic nerve ligation (pSNL) surgery. Moreover, GO and KEGG enrichment analysis suggested that most of the altered genes were involved in inflammatory responses and signaling transduction. In addition, our results state that they shared similar characters in the DRG among four types of neuropathic pain models. Eighteen genes have been altered (17 of them were upregulated) in the DRG of all four types of neuropathic pain models, in which Vgf, Atf3, Cd74, Gal, Jun, Npy, Serpina3n, and Hspb1 have been reported to be involved in neuropathic pain. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR results further confirmed the mRNA expression levels of Vgf, Atf3, Cd74, Gal, Jun, Npy, Serpina3n, and Hspb1 in the DRG of rats with pSNL surgery. The present study suggested that these eight genes may play important roles in neuropathic pain, revealing that these genes might serve as therapeutic targets for neuropathic pain. Moreover, anti-inflammatory therapy might be an effective approach for neuropathic pain treatment and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wuping Sun
- Department of Pain Medicine and Shenzhen Municipal Key Laboratory for Pain Medicine, Shenzhen Nanshan People's Hospital and the 6th Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Dongquan Kou
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, 400080, China
| | - Zhijian Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Shenzhen Municipal Key Laboratory for Endogenous Infection, Shenzhen Nanshan People's Hospital and the 6th Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Shaomin Yang
- Department of Pain Medicine and Shenzhen Municipal Key Laboratory for Pain Medicine, Shenzhen Nanshan People's Hospital and the 6th Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Changyu Jiang
- Department of Pain Medicine and Shenzhen Municipal Key Laboratory for Pain Medicine, Shenzhen Nanshan People's Hospital and the 6th Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Donglin Xiong
- Department of Pain Medicine and Shenzhen Municipal Key Laboratory for Pain Medicine, Shenzhen Nanshan People's Hospital and the 6th Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Lizu Xiao
- Department of Pain Medicine and Shenzhen Municipal Key Laboratory for Pain Medicine, Shenzhen Nanshan People's Hospital and the 6th Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Qiwen Deng
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Shenzhen Municipal Key Laboratory for Endogenous Infection, Shenzhen Nanshan People's Hospital and the 6th Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
| | - Hengtao Xie
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Yue Hao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
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11
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Carcolé M, Kummer S, Gonçalves L, Zamanillo D, Merlos M, Dickenson AH, Fernández‐Pastor B, Cabañero D, Maldonado R. Sigma-1 receptor modulates neuroinflammation associated with mechanical hypersensitivity and opioid tolerance in a mouse model of osteoarthritis pain. Br J Pharmacol 2019; 176:3939-3955. [PMID: 31332781 PMCID: PMC6811737 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 07/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Osteoarthritic pain is a chronic disabling condition lacking effective treatment. Continuous use of opioid drugs during osteoarthritic pain induces tolerance and may result in dose escalation and abuse. Sigma-1 (σ1) receptors, a chaperone expressed in key areas for pain control, modulates μ-opioid receptor activity and represents a promising target to tackle these problems. The present study investigates the efficacy of the σ1 receptor antagonist E-52862 to inhibit pain sensitization, morphine tolerance, and associated electrophysiological and molecular changes in a murine model of osteoarthritic pain. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Mice received an intra-knee injection of monoiodoacetate followed by 14-day treatment with E-52862, morphine, or vehicle, and mechanical sensitivity was assessed before and after the daily doses. KEY RESULTS Monoiodoacetate-injected mice developed persistent mechanical hypersensitivity, which was dose-dependently inhibited by E-52862. Mechanical thresholds assessed before the daily E-52862 dose showed gradual recovery, reaching complete restoration by the end of the treatment. When repeated treatment started 15 days after knee injury, E-52862 produced enhanced short-term analgesia, but recovery to baseline threshold was slower. Both a σ1 receptor agonist and a μ receptor antagonist blocked the analgesic effects of E-52862. An acute, sub-effective dose of E-52862 restored morphine analgesia in opioid-tolerant mice. Moreover, E-52862 abolished spinal sensitization in osteoarthritic mice and inhibited pain-related molecular changes. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS These findings show dual effects of σ1 receptor antagonism alleviating both short- and long-lasting antinociception during chronic osteoarthritis pain. They identify E-52862 as a promising pharmacological agent to treat chronic pain and avoid opioid tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mireia Carcolé
- Neuropharmacology Lab, Department of Experimental and Health SciencesUniversity Pompeu FabraBarcelonaSpain
| | - Sami Kummer
- Neuropharmacology Lab, Department of Experimental and Health SciencesUniversity Pompeu FabraBarcelonaSpain
| | - Leonor Gonçalves
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and PharmacologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Daniel Zamanillo
- Drug Discovery and Preclinical Development, Laboratories EsteveBarcelona Science ParkBarcelonaSpain
| | - Manuel Merlos
- Drug Discovery and Preclinical Development, Laboratories EsteveBarcelona Science ParkBarcelonaSpain
| | - Anthony H. Dickenson
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and PharmacologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Begoña Fernández‐Pastor
- Drug Discovery and Preclinical Development, Laboratories EsteveBarcelona Science ParkBarcelonaSpain
| | - David Cabañero
- Neuropharmacology Lab, Department of Experimental and Health SciencesUniversity Pompeu FabraBarcelonaSpain
| | - Rafael Maldonado
- Neuropharmacology Lab, Department of Experimental and Health SciencesUniversity Pompeu FabraBarcelonaSpain
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Stephens KE, Zhou W, Ji Z, Chen Z, He S, Ji H, Guan Y, Taverna SD. Sex differences in gene regulation in the dorsal root ganglion after nerve injury. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:147. [PMID: 30782122 PMCID: PMC6381758 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-5512-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pain is a subjective experience derived from complex interactions among biological, environmental, and psychosocial pathways. Sex differences in pain sensitivity and chronic pain prevalence are well established. However, the molecular basis underlying these sex dimorphisms are poorly understood particularly with regard to the role of the peripheral nervous system. Here we sought to identify shared and distinct gene networks functioning in the peripheral nervous systems that may contribute to sex differences of pain in rats after nerve injury. RESULTS We performed RNA-seq on dorsal root ganglia following chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve in male and female rats. Analysis from paired naive and injured tissues showed that 1513 genes were differentially expressed between sexes. Genes which facilitated synaptic transmission in naïve and injured females did not show increased expression in males. CONCLUSIONS Appreciating sex-related gene expression differences and similarities in neuropathic pain models may help to improve the translational relevance to clinical populations and efficacy of clinical trials of this major health issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly E. Stephens
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, School of Medicine, Center for Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Weiqiang Zhou
- Department of Biostatics, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Zhicheng Ji
- Department of Biostatics, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Zhiyong Chen
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Shaoqiu He
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Hongkai Ji
- Department of Biostatics, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Yun Guan
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Sean D. Taverna
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, School of Medicine, Center for Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
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Gu Y, Qiu Z, Cheng N, Chen C, Hei Z, Li X. Identification of potential mechanism and hub genes for neuropathic pain by expression-based genome-wide association study. J Cell Biochem 2018; 120:4912-4923. [PMID: 30269359 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.27766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Neuropathic pain (NP) is a common pathological pain state with limited effective treatments. This study was designed to identify potential mechanisms and candidate genes using gene expression-based genome-wide association study (eGWAS). All NP-related microarray experiments were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus and ArrayExpress. Significantly dysregulated genes were identified between experimental and untreated groups, and the number of microarray experiments in which each gene was dysregulated was calculated. Significantly dysregulated genes were ranked according to P values of the chi-square test. Using Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database, we performed functional and pathway enrichment analysis. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and module analysis was performed using Cytoscape software. A total of 115 candidate genes were identified from 19 independent microarray experiments by eGWAS based on the Bonferroni threshold ( P < 2.97 × 10 -6 ). Immune and inflammatory responses, and complement and coagulation cascades, were respectively the most enriched biological process and pathways for candidate genes. The hub genes with highest connectivity in PPI network and two modules Ccl2 and Jun, and Ctss application of the eGWAS methodology can identify mechanisms and candidate genes associated with NP. Our results support the validity and prevalence of inflammatory and immune mechanisms across different NP models, and Ccl2, Jun, and Ctss may be the hub genes for NP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Gu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhuolin Qiu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Nan Cheng
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chaojin Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ziqing Hei
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Salinas-Abarca AB, Velazquez-Lagunas I, Franco-Enzástiga Ú, Torres-López JE, Rocha-González HI, Granados-Soto V. ATF2, but not ATF3, participates in the maintenance of nerve injury-induced tactile allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. Mol Pain 2018; 14:1744806918787427. [PMID: 29921170 PMCID: PMC6050803 DOI: 10.1177/1744806918787427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors are proteins that modulate the transcriptional rate of target genes in the nucleus in response to extracellular or cytoplasmic signals. Activating transcription factors 2 (ATF2) and 3 (ATF3) respond to environmental signals and maintain cellular homeostasis. There is evidence that inflammation and nerve injury modulate ATF2 and ATF3 expression. However, the function of these transcription factors in pain is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the contribution of ATF2 and ATF3 to nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain. L5/6 spinal nerve ligation induced tactile allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. Moreover, nerve damage enhanced ATF2 and ATF3 protein expression in injured L5/6 dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord but not in uninjured L4 dorsal root ganglia. Nerve damage also enhanced ATF2 immunoreactivity in dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord 7 to 21 days post-injury. Repeated intrathecal post-treatment with a small-interfering RNA targeted against ATF2 (ATF2 siRNA) or anti-ATF2 antibody partially reversed tactile allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. In contrast, ATF3 siRNA or anti-ATF3 antibody did not modify nociceptive behaviors. ATF2 immunoreactivity was found in dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord co-labeling with NeuN mainly in non-peptidergic (IB4+) but also in peptidergic (CGRP+) neurons. ATF2 was found mainly in small- and medium-sized neurons. These results suggest that ATF2, but not ATF3, is found in strategic sites related to spinal nociceptive processing and participates in the maintenance of neuropathic pain in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana B Salinas-Abarca
- 1 Neurobiology of Pain Laboratory, Departamento de Farmacobiología, Cinvestav, Mexico
| | | | | | - Jorge E Torres-López
- 2 Laboratorio Mecanismos del Dolor, Centro de Investigación, División Académica de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Mexico.,3 Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad Dr. Juan Graham Casasús, Mexico
| | - Héctor I Rocha-González
- 4 Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico
| | - Vinicio Granados-Soto
- 1 Neurobiology of Pain Laboratory, Departamento de Farmacobiología, Cinvestav, Mexico
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Abstract
Neuropathic pain is a chronic pain state associated with multiple etiologies that results in considerable social and economic burden. The identification of key genes associated with neuropathic pain is important for the development of novel therapies. Therefore, the present study downloaded the gene expression profile GSE15041 from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The unverified gene chip was removed and the microarray data was normalized following quality control. The limma package in R was used to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), followed by Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. Furthermore, a protein‑protein interaction (PPI) network based on the identified DEGs was constructed to select hub proteins, and reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect the expression of these proteins in a mouse model of neuropathic pain. In total, 86 common DEGs were identified. DEGs were significantly enriched in ̔extracellular space̓ and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis demonstrated that the DEGs were significantly enriched in inflammatory diseases and the mitogen‑activated protein kinase signaling pathway. The PPI network consisted of 27 nodes (proteins) and 47 PPI edges (interactions). Interleukin (IL)‑6, transcription factor AP‑1 (c‑Jun) and urikinase‑type plasminogen activator (Plau) were identified as hub proteins and key genes in neuropathic pain. The mRNA expression of these hub proteins was significantly increased in the neuropathic pain model, compared with the sham group. IL‑6, c‑Jun, and Plau may be involved in development of neuropathic pain and further research investigating the exact role of these key genes is required.
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16
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Sympathetic Dysfunction in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain and Failed Back Surgery Syndrome. Clin J Pain 2016; 32:226-31. [PMID: 25968450 DOI: 10.1097/ajp.0000000000000250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is defined as pain that persists longer than 12 weeks and is often attributed to degenerative or traumatic conditions of the spine. Failed back surgery syndrome is a condition in which chronic pain persists after spinal surgery. Electrodiagnostic studies can be used to confirm the diagnosis of lumbosacral radiculopathy, but other diagnostic methods are often needed to assess sympathetic nervous system dysfunction. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the affection of sympathetic skin response (SSR) in cases of chronic low back pain (LBP) and failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) and to assess the association of SSR abnormalities with perceived functional disability and pain among these patients. METHODOLOGY Twenty patients with CLBP and 10 patients with failed FBSS who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were recruited to the present study. All cases had back, leg, or back and leg pain of at least 3-month duration or following spinal surgery. The control group consists of 10 healthy participants matched in age and sex. Electrophysiologic nerve conduction studies and SSR recording were applied on the symptomatic and normal side in study cases and on both sides in the control group. Pain intensity was analyzed by the visual analogue scale (VAS) and perceived functional disability was assessed with the Oswestry disability index (ODI). CONCLUSIONS It was concluded that the sympathetic nervous system is affected in CLBP and FBSS patients with abnormalities in SSR and that the dysfunction of sympathetic nervous system may contribute to the intensity and chronicity of pain in these groups of patients. Moreover, a strong association was found between SSR and functional disabilities in these patients.
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Kirkpatrick DR, McEntire DM, Smith TA, Dueck NP, Kerfeld MJ, Hambsch ZJ, Nelson TJ, Reisbig MD, Agrawal DK. Transmission pathways and mediators as the basis for clinical pharmacology of pain. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2016; 9:1363-1387. [PMID: 27322358 PMCID: PMC5215101 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2016.1204231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mediators in pain transmission are the targets of a multitude of different analgesic pharmaceuticals. This review explores the most significant mediators of pain transmission as well as the pharmaceuticals that act on them. Areas covered: The review explores many of the key mediators of pain transmission. In doing so, this review uncovers important areas for further research. It also highlights agents with potential for producing novel analgesics, probes important interactions between pain transmission pathways that could contribute to synergistic analgesia, and emphasizes transmission factors that participate in transforming acute injury into chronic pain. Expert commentary: This review examines current pain research, particularly in the context of identifying novel analgesics, highlighting interactions between analgesic transmission pathways, and discussing factors that may contribute to the development of chronic pain after an acute injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R. Kirkpatrick
- Departments of Clinical and Translational Science and Anesthesiology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178 USA
| | - Dan M. McEntire
- Departments of Clinical and Translational Science and Anesthesiology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178 USA
| | - Tyler A. Smith
- Departments of Clinical and Translational Science and Anesthesiology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178 USA
| | - Nicholas P. Dueck
- Departments of Clinical and Translational Science and Anesthesiology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178 USA
| | - Mitchell J. Kerfeld
- Departments of Clinical and Translational Science and Anesthesiology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178 USA
| | - Zakary J. Hambsch
- Departments of Clinical and Translational Science and Anesthesiology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178 USA
| | - Taylor J. Nelson
- Departments of Clinical and Translational Science and Anesthesiology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178 USA
| | - Mark D. Reisbig
- Departments of Clinical and Translational Science and Anesthesiology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178 USA
| | - Devendra K. Agrawal
- Departments of Clinical and Translational Science and Anesthesiology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178 USA
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18
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Jamieson DG, Moss A, Kennedy M, Jones S, Nenadic G, Robertson DL, Sidders B. The pain interactome: connecting pain-specific protein interactions. Pain 2014; 155:2243-52. [PMID: 24978826 PMCID: PMC4247380 DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2014.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2014] [Revised: 06/13/2014] [Accepted: 06/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the molecular mechanisms associated with disease is a central goal of modern medical research. As such, many thousands of experiments have been published that detail individual molecular events that contribute to a disease. Here we use a semi-automated text mining approach to accurately and exhaustively curate the primary literature for chronic pain states. In so doing, we create a comprehensive network of 1,002 contextualized protein-protein interactions (PPIs) specifically associated with pain. The PPIs form a highly interconnected and coherent structure, and the resulting network provides an alternative to those derived from connecting genes associated with pain using interactions that have not been shown to occur in a painful state. We exploit the contextual data associated with our interactions to analyse subnetworks specific to inflammatory and neuropathic pain, and to various anatomical regions. Here, we identify potential targets for further study and several drug-repurposing opportunities. Finally, the network provides a framework for the interpretation of new data within the field of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel G Jamieson
- Computational and Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Andrew Moss
- Neusentis, Pfizer, Worldwide Research & Development, Cambridge, UK
| | - Michael Kennedy
- Neusentis, Pfizer, Worldwide Research & Development, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sherrie Jones
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Goran Nenadic
- Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - David L Robertson
- Computational and Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Ben Sidders
- Neusentis, Pfizer, Worldwide Research & Development, Cambridge, UK.
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Malafoglia V, Colasanti M, Raffaeli W, Balciunas D, Giordano A, Bellipanni G. Extreme thermal noxious stimuli induce pain responses in zebrafish larvae. J Cell Physiol 2014; 229:300-8. [PMID: 23929528 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.24447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2013] [Accepted: 08/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Exposing tissues to extreme high or low temperature leads to burns. Burned animals sustain several types of damage, from the disruption of the tissue to degeneration of axons projecting through muscle and skin. Such damage causes pain due to both inflammation and axonal degeneration (neuropathic-like pain). Thus, the approach to cure and alleviate the symptoms of burns must be twofold: rebuilding the tissue that has been destroyed and alleviating the pain derived from the burns. While tissue regeneration techniques have been developed, less is known on the treatment of the induced pain. Thus, appropriate animal models are necessary for the development of the best treatment for pain induced in burned tissues. We have developed a methodology in the zebrafish aimed to produce a new animal model for the study of pain induced by burns. Here, we show that two events linked to the onset of burn-induced inflammation and neuropathic-like pain in mammals, degeneration of axons innervating the affected tissues and over-expression of specific genes in sensory tissues, are conserved from zebrafish to mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Malafoglia
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; ISAL-Foundation, Institute for Research on Pain, Torre Pedrera (RN), Italy
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Tumor necrosis factor-neuropeptide Y cross talk regulates inflammation, epithelial barrier functions, and colonic motility. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2013; 19:2535-46. [PMID: 24108115 PMCID: PMC4180268 DOI: 10.1097/01.mib.0000437042.59208.9f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuro-immune interactions play a significant role in regulating the severity of inflammation. Our previous work demonstrated that neuropeptide Y (NPY) is upregulated in the enteric nervous system during murine colitis and that NPY knockout mice exhibit reduced inflammation. Here, we investigated if NPY expression during inflammation is induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF), the main proinflammatory cytokine. METHODS Using primary enteric neurons and colon explant cultures from wild type and NPY knockout (NPY(-/-)) mice, we determined if NPY knockdown modulates TNF release and epithelial permeability. Further, we assessed if NPY expression is inducible by TNF in enteric neuronal cells and mouse model of experimental colitis, using the TNF inhibitors-etanercept (blocks transmembrane and soluble TNF) and XPro1595 (blocks soluble TNF only). RESULTS We found that enteric neurons express TNF receptors (TNFR1 and R2). Primary enteric neurons from NPY(-/-) mice produced less TNF compared with wild type. Further, TNF activated NPY promoter in enteric neurons through phospho-c-Jun. NPY(-/-) mice had decreased intestinal permeability. In vitro, NPY increased epithelial permeability through phosphatidyl inositol-3-kinase (PI3-K)-induced pore-forming claudin-2. TNF inhibitors attenuated NPY expression in vitro and in vivo. TNF inhibitor-treated colitic mice exhibited reduced NPY expression and inflammation, reduced oxidative stress, enhanced neuronal survival, and improved colonic motility. XPro1595 had more protective effects on neuronal survival and motility compared with etanercept. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate a novel TNF-NPY cross talk that modulates inflammation, barrier functions, and colonic motility during inflammation. It is also suggested that selective blocking of soluble TNF may be a better therapeutic option than using anti-TNF antibodies.
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Kim JS, Kroin JS, Li X, An HS, Buvanendran A, Yan D, Tuman KJ, van Wijnen AJ, Chen D, Im HJ. The rat intervertebral disk degeneration pain model: relationships between biological and structural alterations and pain. Arthritis Res Ther 2011; 13:R165. [PMID: 21996269 PMCID: PMC3308099 DOI: 10.1186/ar3485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2011] [Revised: 06/09/2011] [Accepted: 10/13/2011] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Degeneration of the interverterbral disk is as a cause of low-back pain is increasing. To gain insight into relationships between biological processes, structural alterations and behavioral pain, we created an animal model in rats. METHODS Disk degeneration was induced by removal of the nucleus pulposus (NP) from the lumbar disks (L4/L5 and L5/L6) of Sprague Dawley rats using a 0.5-mm-diameter microsurgical drill. The degree of primary hyperalgesia was assessed by using an algometer to measure pain upon external pressure on injured lumbar disks. Biochemical and histological assessments and radiographs of injured disks were used for evaluation. We investigated therapeutic modulation of chronic pain by administering pharmaceutical drugs in this animal model. RESULTS After removal of the NP, pressure hyperalgesia developed over the lower back. Nine weeks after surgery we observed damaged or degenerated disks with proteoglycan loss and narrowing of disk height. These biological and structural changes in disks were closely related to the sustained pain hyperalgesia. A high dose of morphine (6.7 mg/kg) resulted in effective pain relief. However, high doses of pregabalin (20 mg/kg), a drug that has been used for treatment of chronic neuropathic pain, as well as the anti-inflammatory drugs celecoxib (50 mg/kg; a selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2)) and ketorolac (20 mg/kg; an inhibitor of COX-1 and COX-2), did not have significant antihyperalgesic effects in our disk injury animal model. CONCLUSIONS Although similarities in gene expression profiles suggest potential overlap in chronic pain pathways linked to disk injury or neuropathy, drug-testing results suggest that pain pathways linked to these two chronic pain conditions are mechanistically distinct. Our findings provide a foundation for future research on new therapeutic interventions that can lead to improvements in the treatment of patients with back pain due to disk degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Sung Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, Rush University Medical Center, Cohn Research BD 516, 1735 West Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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Heinzlmann A, Tóth ZE, Köves K. Secretin mRNA in the subdivision of primary sensory neurons in the trigeminal ganglion of rats. J Mol Neurosci 2010; 43:101-8. [PMID: 20582488 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-010-9395-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2010] [Accepted: 05/19/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The primary sensory neurons use glutamate as a major neurotransmitter. Several neuropeptides are also found in these neurons. In our laboratory we demonstrated secretin-like immunoreactivity in primary sensory neurons of several species including human, rat and cat. In the present experiment utilizing in situ hybridization, we have demonstrated for the first time that secretin is not only immunostained but is also expressed in the primary sensory neurons of the trigeminal ganglion of male rats. In intact rats, secretin mRNA was not observed; we had to use intracerebroventricular colchicine administration to induce the expression of secretin. Secretin was expressed in about 5% of the cells in all the three subdivisions of the trigeminal ganglion. The secretin-synthetizing cells were large and medium sized, and their mean diameter was about 50 μm. When we compared the percentage and the size of secretin to that of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance-P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) cells, it was found that CGRP, SP and VIP are present in about 15-20% of the cells and their mean diameter is about 20-25 μm. The morphometric data indicate that secretin is present in a subdivision of neurons that is different from the subdivision of the CGRP, SP and VIP cells. It is suggested that secretin may modulate the function of the primary neurotransmitter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Heinzlmann
- Department of Human Morphology and Developmental Biology, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó u. 58, Budapest 1094, Hungary.
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Li MY, Lai FJ, Hsu LJ, Lo CP, Cheng CL, Lin SR, Lee MH, Chang JY, Subhan D, Tsai MS, Sze CI, Pugazhenthi S, Chang NS, Chen ST. Dramatic co-activation of WWOX/WOX1 with CREB and NF-kappaB in delayed loss of small dorsal root ganglion neurons upon sciatic nerve transection in rats. PLoS One 2009; 4:e7820. [PMID: 19918364 PMCID: PMC2771921 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0007820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2009] [Accepted: 10/17/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor suppressor WOX1 (also named WWOX or FOR) is known to participate in neuronal apoptosis in vivo. Here, we investigated the functional role of WOX1 and transcription factors in the delayed loss of axotomized neurons in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in rats. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Sciatic nerve transection in rats rapidly induced JNK1 activation and upregulation of mRNA and protein expression of WOX1 in the injured DRG neurons in 30 min. Accumulation of p-WOX1, p-JNK1, p-CREB, p-c-Jun, NF-kappaB and ATF3 in the nuclei of injured neurons took place within hours or the first week of injury. At the second month, dramatic nuclear accumulation of WOX1 with CREB (>65% neurons) and NF-kappaB (40-65%) occurred essentially in small DRG neurons, followed by apoptosis at later months. WOX1 physically interacted with CREB most strongly in the nuclei as determined by FRET analysis. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed the complex formation of p-WOX1 with p-CREB and p-c-Jun in vivo. WOX1 blocked the prosurvival CREB-, CRE-, and AP-1-mediated promoter activation in vitro. In contrast, WOX1 enhanced promoter activation governed by c-Jun, Elk-1 and NF-kappaB. WOX1 directly activated NF-kappaB-regulated promoter via its WW domains. Smad4 and p53 were not involved in the delayed loss of small DRG neurons. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Rapid activation of JNK1 and WOX1 during the acute phase of injury is critical in determining neuronal survival or death, as both proteins functionally antagonize. In the chronic phase, concurrent activation of WOX1, CREB, and NF-kappaB occurs in small neurons just prior to apoptosis. Likely in vivo interactions are: 1) WOX1 inhibits the neuroprotective CREB, which leads to eventual neuronal death, and 2) WOX1 enhances NF-kappaB promoter activation (which turns to be proapoptotic). Evidently, WOX1 is the potential target for drug intervention in mitigating symptoms associated with neuronal injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Yen Li
- Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, National Cheng Kung
University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Jie Lai
- Department of Dermatology, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan,
Taiwan
| | - Li-Jin Hsu
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, National Cheng Kung
University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan
- Center for Gene Regulation and Signal Transduction Research, National
Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Peng Lo
- Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, National Cheng Kung
University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan
- Institute of Basic Medical Science, National Cheng Kung University
Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Li Cheng
- Institute of Basic Medical Science, National Cheng Kung University
Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Sing-Ru Lin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Medical
College, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hui Lee
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Medical
College, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Jean-Yun Chang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Medical
College, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Dudekula Subhan
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Medical
College, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Shu Tsai
- Putz General Hospital, Department of Health, Executive Yuan, Chiayi,
Taiwan
| | - Chun-I Sze
- Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, National Cheng Kung
University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Subbiah Pugazhenthi
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado at Denver and Health
Sciences Center, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Nan-Shan Chang
- Center for Gene Regulation and Signal Transduction Research, National
Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan
- Institute of Basic Medical Science, National Cheng Kung University
Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Medical
College, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical
University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
| | - Shur-Tzu Chen
- Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, National Cheng Kung
University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Dermatology, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan,
Taiwan
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Chien LY, Cheng JK, Chu D, Cheng CF, Tsaur ML. Reduced expression of A-type potassium channels in primary sensory neurons induces mechanical hypersensitivity. J Neurosci 2007; 27:9855-65. [PMID: 17855600 PMCID: PMC6672648 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0604-07.2007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A-type K+ channels (A-channels) are crucial in controlling neuronal excitability, and their downregulation in pain-sensing neurons may increase pain sensation. To test this hypothesis, we first characterized the expression of two A-channels, Kv3.4 and Kv4.3, in rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Kv3.4 was expressed mainly in the nociceptive DRG neurons, in their somata, axons, and nerve terminals innervating the dorsal horn of spinal cord. In contrast, Kv4.3 appeared selectively in the somata of a subset of nonpeptidergic nociceptive DRG neurons. Most Kv4.3(+) DRG neurons also expressed Kv3.4. In a neuropathic pain model induced by spinal nerve ligation in rats, the protein levels of Kv3.4 and Kv4.3 in the DRG neurons were greatly reduced. After Kv3.4 or Kv4.3 expression in lumbar DRG neurons was suppressed by intrathecal injections of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides, mechanical but not thermal hypersensitivity developed. Together, our data suggest that reduced expression of A-channels in pain-sensing neurons may induce mechanical hypersensitivity, a major symptom of neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ying Chien
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Kun Cheng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Dachen Chu
- Department of Neurosurgery in Hoping Branch and
| | - Chau-Fu Cheng
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Meei-Ling Tsaur
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Education and Research, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, and
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