1
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Tasma Z, Rees TA, Guo S, Tan S, O'Carroll SJ, Faull RLM, Curtis MA, Christensen SL, Hay DL, Walker CS. Pharmacology of PACAP and VIP receptors in the spinal cord highlights the importance of the PAC 1 receptor. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:2655-2675. [PMID: 38616050 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16376] [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: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The spinal cord is a key structure involved in the transmission and modulation of pain. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), are expressed in the spinal cord. These peptides activate G protein-coupled receptors (PAC1, VPAC1 and VPAC2) that could provide targets for the development of novel pain treatments. However, it is not clear which of these receptors are expressed within the spinal cord and how these receptors signal. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Dissociated rat spinal cord cultures were used to examine agonist and antagonist receptor pharmacology. Signalling profiles were determined for five signalling pathways. The expression of different PACAP and VIP receptors was then investigated in mouse, rat and human spinal cords using immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. KEY RESULTS PACAP, but not VIP, potently stimulated cAMP, IP1 accumulation and ERK and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) but not Akt phosphorylation in spinal cord cultures. Signalling was antagonised by M65 and PACAP6-38. PACAP-27 was more effectively antagonised than either PACAP-38 or VIP. The patterns of PAC1 and VPAC2 receptor-like immunoreactivity appeared to be distinct in the spinal cord. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The pharmacological profile in the spinal cord suggested that a PAC1 receptor is the major functional receptor subtype present and thus likely mediates the nociceptive effects of the PACAP family of peptides in the spinal cord. However, the potential expression of both PAC1 and VPAC2 receptors in the spinal cord highlights that these receptors may play differential roles and are both possible therapeutic targets.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Spinal Cord/metabolism
- Spinal Cord/drug effects
- Receptors, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide, Type I/metabolism
- Receptors, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide, Type I/agonists
- Humans
- Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide/pharmacology
- Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide/metabolism
- Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide/metabolism
- Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide/pharmacology
- Mice
- Rats
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide/metabolism
- Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide/antagonists & inhibitors
- Cells, Cultured
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Cyclic AMP/metabolism
- Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, Type II/metabolism
- Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, Type II/agonists
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Tasma
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Tayla A Rees
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Song Guo
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Odontology, Panum Institute, Faculty of Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sheryl Tan
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Simon J O'Carroll
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Richard L M Faull
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Maurice A Curtis
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sarah L Christensen
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Debbie L Hay
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Christopher S Walker
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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2
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Chahyadinata G, Nam JH, Battenberg A, Wainger BJ. Physiological profiling of cannabidiol reveals profound inhibition of sensory neurons. Pain 2024:00006396-990000000-00614. [PMID: 38815194 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Cannabidiol (CBD), the main nonpsychoactive cannabinoid of cannabis, holds promise for nonaddictive treatment of pain. Although preclinical studies have been encouraging, well-controlled human trials have been largely unsuccessful. To investigate this dichotomy and better understand the actions of CBD, we used high-content calcium imaging with automated liquid handling and observed broad inhibition of neuronal activation by a host of ionotropic and metabotropic receptors, including transient receptor potential (Trp) and purinergic receptors, as well as mediators of intracellular calcium cycling. To assess the effect of CBD on overall nociceptor electrical activity, we combined the light-activated ion channel channelrhodposin in TRPV1-positive nociceptors and a red-shifted calcium indicator and found that 1 µM CBD profoundly increased the optical threshold for calcium flux activation. Experiments using traditional whole-cell patch-clamp showed increase of nociceptor activation threshold at submicromolar concentrations, but with unusually slow kinetics, as well as block of voltage-activated currents. To address a more integrated capacity of CBD to influence nociceptor sensitization, a process implicated in multiple pain states, we found that submicromolar concentrations of CBD inhibited sensitization by the chemotherapeutic drug vincristine. Taken together, these results demonstrate that CBD can reduce neuronal activity evoked by a strikingly wide range of stimuli implicated in pain signaling. The extensive effects underscore the need for further studies at substantially lower drug concentrations, which are more likely to reflect physiologically relevant mechanisms. The slow kinetics and block raise biophysical questions regarding the lipophilic properties of CBD and its action on channels and receptors within membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gracesenia Chahyadinata
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Joo Hyun Nam
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Physiology, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Ashley Battenberg
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Brian J Wainger
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Broad Institute of Harvard University and MIT, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
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3
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Salib AMN, Crane MJ, Lee SH, Wainger BJ, Jamieson AM, Lipscombe D. Interleukin-1α links peripheral Ca V2.2 channel activation to rapid adaptive increases in heat sensitivity in skin. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9051. [PMID: 38643253 PMCID: PMC11032389 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59424-6] [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: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurons have the unique capacity to adapt output in response to changes in their environment. Within seconds, sensory nerve endings can become hypersensitive to stimuli in response to potentially damaging events. The underlying behavioral response is well studied, but several of the key signaling molecules that mediate sensory hypersensitivity remain unknown. We previously discovered that peripheral voltage-gated CaV2.2 channels in nerve endings in skin are essential for the rapid, transient increase in sensitivity to heat, but not to mechanical stimuli, that accompanies intradermal capsaicin. Here we report that the cytokine interleukin-1α (IL-1α), an alarmin, is necessary and sufficient to trigger rapid heat and mechanical hypersensitivity in skin. Of 20 cytokines screened, only IL-1α was consistently detected in hind paw interstitial fluid in response to intradermal capsaicin and, similar to behavioral sensitivity to heat, IL-1α levels were also dependent on peripheral CaV2.2 channel activity. Neutralizing IL-1α in skin significantly reduced capsaicin-induced changes in hind paw sensitivity to radiant heat and mechanical stimulation. Intradermal IL-1α enhances behavioral responses to stimuli and, in culture, IL-1α enhances the responsiveness of Trpv1-expressing sensory neurons. Together, our data suggest that IL-1α is the key cytokine that underlies rapid and reversible neuroinflammatory responses in skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Mary N Salib
- Department of Neuroscience, Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Meredith J Crane
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Sang Hun Lee
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Brian J Wainger
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Amanda M Jamieson
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Diane Lipscombe
- Department of Neuroscience, Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA.
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4
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Chen X, Gan Y, Au NPB, Ma CHE. Current understanding of the molecular mechanisms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1345811. [PMID: 38660386 PMCID: PMC11039947 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1345811] [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: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is the most common off-target adverse effects caused by various chemotherapeutic agents, such as cisplatin, oxaliplatin, paclitaxel, vincristine and bortezomib. CIPN is characterized by a substantial loss of primary afferent sensory axonal fibers leading to sensory disturbances in patients. An estimated of 19-85% of patients developed CIPN during the course of chemotherapy. The lack of preventive measures and limited treatment options often require a dose reduction or even early termination of life-saving chemotherapy, impacting treatment efficacy and patient survival. In this Review, we summarized the current understanding on the pathogenesis of CIPN. One prominent change induced by chemotherapeutic agents involves the disruption of neuronal cytoskeletal architecture and axonal transport dynamics largely influenced by the interference of microtubule stability in peripheral neurons. Due to an ineffective blood-nerve barrier in our peripheral nervous system, exposure to some chemotherapeutic agents causes mitochondrial swelling in peripheral nerves, which lead to the opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore and cytochrome c release resulting in degeneration of primary afferent sensory fibers. The exacerbated nociceptive signaling and pain transmission in CIPN patients is often linked the increased neuronal excitability largely due to the elevated expression of various ion channels in the dorsal root ganglion neurons. Another important contributing factor of CIPN is the neuroinflammation caused by an increased infiltration of immune cells and production of inflammatory cytokines. In the central nervous system, chemotherapeutic agents also induce neuronal hyperexcitability in the spinal dorsal horn and anterior cingulate cortex leading to the development of central sensitization that causes CIPN. Emerging evidence suggests that the change in the composition and diversity of gut microbiota (dysbiosis) could have direct impact on the development and progression of CIPN. Collectively, all these aspects contribute to the pathogenesis of CIPN. Recent advances in RNA-sequencing offer solid platform for in silico drug screening which enable the identification of novel therapeutic agents or repurpose existing drugs to alleviate CIPN, holding immense promises for enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy and improve their overall treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Chen
- Department of Neuroscience, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yumeng Gan
- Department of Neuroscience, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ngan Pan Bennett Au
- Department of Neuroscience, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
- Institute of Life Sciences and Healthcare, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
| | - Chi Him Eddie Ma
- Department of Neuroscience, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
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5
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Gupta S, Viotti A, Eichwald T, Roger A, Kaufmann E, Othman R, Ghasemlou N, Rafei M, Foster SL, Talbot S. Navigating the blurred path of mixed neuroimmune signaling. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2024; 153:924-938. [PMID: 38373475 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2024.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Evolution has created complex mechanisms to sense environmental danger and protect tissues, with the nervous and immune systems playing pivotal roles. These systems work together, coordinating local and systemic reflexes to restore homeostasis in response to tissue injury and infection. By sharing receptors and ligands, they influence the pathogenesis of various diseases. Recently, a less-explored aspect of neuroimmune communication has emerged: the release of neuropeptides from immune cells and cytokines/chemokines from sensory neurons. This article reviews evidence of this unique neuroimmune interplay and its impact on the development of allergy, inflammation, itch, and pain. We highlight the effects of this neuroimmune signaling on vital processes such as host defense, tissue repair, and inflammation resolution, providing avenues for exploration of the underlying mechanisms and therapeutic potential of this signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surbhi Gupta
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alice Viotti
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Tuany Eichwald
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden; Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anais Roger
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Eva Kaufmann
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rahmeh Othman
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nader Ghasemlou
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Moutih Rafei
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Simmie L Foster
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Sebastien Talbot
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden; Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
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6
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Salib AMN, Crane MJ, Lee SH, Wainger BJ, Jamieson AM, Lipscombe D. Interleukin-1α links peripheral Ca V2.2 channel activation to rapid adaptive increases in heat sensitivity in skin. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.12.17.572072. [PMID: 38585803 PMCID: PMC10996502 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.17.572072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Neurons have the unique capacity to adapt output in response to changes in their environment. Within seconds, sensory nerve endings can become hypersensitive to stimuli in response to potentially damaging events. The underlying behavioral response is well studied, but several of the key signaling molecules that mediate sensory hypersensitivity remain unknown. We previously discovered that peripheral voltage-gated CaV2.2 channels in nerve endings in skin are essential for the rapid, transient increase in sensitivity to heat, but not to mechanical stimuli, that accompanies intradermal capsaicin. Here we report that the cytokine interleukin-1α (IL-1α), an alarmin, is necessary and sufficient to trigger rapid heat and mechanical hypersensitivity in skin. Of 20 cytokines screened, only IL-1α was consistently detected in hind paw interstitial fluid in response to intradermal capsaicin and, similar to behavioral sensitivity to heat, IL-1α levels were also dependent on peripheral CaV2.2 channel activity. Neutralizing IL-1α in skin significantly reduced capsaicin-induced changes in hind paw sensitivity to radiant heat and mechanical stimulation. Intradermal IL-1α enhances behavioral responses to stimuli and, in culture, IL-1α enhances the responsiveness of Trpv1-expressing sensory neurons. Together, our data suggest that IL-1α is the key cytokine that underlies rapid and reversible neuroinflammatory responses in skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Mary N Salib
- Department of Neuroscience, Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Meredith J Crane
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Sang Hun Lee
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Brian J Wainger
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Amanda M Jamieson
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Diane Lipscombe
- Department of Neuroscience, Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
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7
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Sashide Y, Toyota R, Takeda M. Local Administration of the Phytochemical, Quercetin, Attenuates the Hyperexcitability of Rat Nociceptive Primary Sensory Neurons Following Inflammation Comparable to lidocaine. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2024; 25:755-765. [PMID: 37832900 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.10.004] [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: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Although in vivo local injection of quercetin into the peripheral receptive field suppresses the excitability of rat nociceptive trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons, under inflammatory conditions, the acute effects of quercetin in vivo, particularly on nociceptive TG neurons, remain to be determined. The aim of this study was to examine whether acute local administration of quercetin into inflamed tissue attenuates the excitability of nociceptive TG neurons in response to mechanical stimulation. The mechanical escape threshold was significantly lower in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-inflamed rats compared to before CFA injection. Extracellular single-unit recordings were made from TG neurons of CFA-induced inflammation in anesthetized rats in response to orofacial mechanical stimulation. The mean firing frequency of TG neurons in response to both non-noxious and noxious mechanical stimuli was reversibly inhibited by quercetin in a dose-dependent manner (1-10 mM). The mean firing frequency of inflamed TG neurons in response to mechanical stimuli was reversibly inhibited by the local anesthetic, 1% lidocaine (37 mM). The mean magnitude of inhibition on TG neuronal discharge frequency with 1 mM quercetin was significantly greater than that of 1% lidocaine. These results suggest that local injection of quercetin into inflamed tissue suppresses the excitability of nociceptive primary sensory TG neurons. PERSPECTIVE: Local administration of the phytochemical, quercetin, into inflamed tissues is a more potent local analgesic than voltage-gated sodium channel blockers as it inhibits the generation of both generator potentials and action potentials in nociceptive primary nerve terminals. As such, it contributes to the area of complementary and alternative medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukito Sashide
- Laboratory of Food and Physiological Sciences, Department of Life and Food Sciences, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Ryou Toyota
- Laboratory of Food and Physiological Sciences, Department of Life and Food Sciences, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Mamoru Takeda
- Laboratory of Food and Physiological Sciences, Department of Life and Food Sciences, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
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8
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Xu Y, Liu D, Dai S, Zhang J, Guo Z, Liu X, Xiong L, Huang J. Stretchable and neuromorphic transistors for pain perception and sensitization emulation. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2024; 11:958-968. [PMID: 38099601 DOI: 10.1039/d3mh01766d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Pain perception nociceptors (PPN), an important type of sensory neuron, are capable of sending out alarm signals when the human body is exposed to destructive stimuli. Simulating the human ability to perceive the external environment and spontaneously avoid injury is a critical function of neural sensing of artificial intelligence devices. The demand for developing artificial PPN has subsequently increased. However, due to the application scenarios of bionic electronic devices such as human skin, electronic prostheses, and robot bodies, where a certain degree of surface deformation constantly occurs, the ideal artificial PPN should have the stretchability to adapt to real scenarios. Here, an organic semiconductor nanofiber artificial pain perception nociceptor (NAPPN) based on a pre-stretching strategy is demonstrated to achieve key pain aspects such as threshold, sensitization, and desensitization. Remarkably, while stretching up to 50%, the synaptic behaviors and injury warning ability of NAPPN can be retained. To verify the wearability of the device, NAPPN was attached to a curved human finger joint, on which PPN behaviors were successfully mimicked. This provides a promising strategy for realizing neural sensing function on either deformed or mobile electronic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutong Xu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, P. R. China.
| | - Dapeng Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, P. R. China.
| | - Shilei Dai
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, P. R. China.
| | - Junyao Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, P. R. China.
| | - Ziyi Guo
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, P. R. China.
| | - Xu Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, P. R. China.
| | - Lize Xiong
- Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Brain Functional Modulation, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200434, P. R. China.
| | - Jia Huang
- Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Brain Functional Modulation, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200434, P. R. China.
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, P. R. China.
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9
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Staud R, Godfrey MM, Stroman PW. Fibromyalgia is associated with hypersensitivity but not with abnormal pain modulation: evidence from QST trials and spinal fMRI. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2023; 4:1284103. [PMID: 38116188 PMCID: PMC10728773 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2023.1284103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Widespread pain and hyperalgesia are characteristics of chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions, including fibromyalgia syndrome (FM). Despite mixed evidence, there is increasing consensus that these characteristics depend on abnormal pain augmentation and dysfunctional pain inhibition. Our recent investigations of pain modulation with individually adjusted nociceptive stimuli have confirmed the mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia of FM patients but failed to detect abnormalities of pain summation or descending pain inhibition. Furthermore, our functional magnetic resonance imaging evaluations of spinal and brainstem pain processing during application of sensitivity-adjusted heat stimuli demonstrated similar temporal patterns of spinal cord activation in FM and HC participants. However, detailed modeling of brainstem activation showed that BOLD activity during "pain summation" was increased in FM subjects, suggesting differences in brain stem modulation of nociceptive stimuli compared to HC. Whereas these differences in brain stem activation are likely related to the hypersensitivity of FM patients, the overall central pain modulation of FM showed no significant abnormalities. These findings suggest that FM patients are hyperalgesic but modulate nociceptive input as effectively as HC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Staud
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Melyssa M. Godfrey
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Patrick W. Stroman
- Center for Neuroscience Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada
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10
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Párraga JP, Castellanos A. A Manifesto in Defense of Pain Complexity: A Critical Review of Essential Insights in Pain Neuroscience. J Clin Med 2023; 12:7080. [PMID: 38002692 PMCID: PMC10672144 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12227080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain has increasingly become a significant health challenge, not just as a symptomatic manifestation but also as a pathological condition with profound socioeconomic implications. Despite the expansion of medical interventions, the prevalence of chronic pain remains remarkably persistent, prompting a turn towards non-pharmacological treatments, such as therapeutic education, exercise, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. With the advent of cognitive neuroscience, pain is often presented as a primary output derived from the brain, aligning with Engel's Biopsychosocial Model that views disease not solely from a biological perspective but also considering psychological and social factors. This paradigm shift brings forward potential misconceptions and over-simplifications. The current review delves into the intricacies of nociception and pain perception. It questions long-standing beliefs like the cerebral-centric view of pain, the forgotten role of the peripheral nervous system in pain chronification, misconceptions around central sensitization syndromes, the controversy about the existence of a dedicated pain neuromatrix, the consciousness of the pain experience, and the possible oversight of factors beyond the nervous system. In re-evaluating these aspects, the review emphasizes the critical need for understanding the complexity of pain, urging the scientific and clinical community to move beyond reductionist perspectives and consider the multifaceted nature of this phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Picañol Párraga
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Biomedicine Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
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11
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Nagaraja S, Tewari SG, Reifman J. Predictive analytics identifies key factors driving hyperalgesic priming of muscle sensory neurons. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1254154. [PMID: 37942142 PMCID: PMC10629345 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1254154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperalgesic priming, a form of neuroplasticity induced by inflammatory mediators, in peripheral nociceptors enhances the magnitude and duration of action potential (AP) firing to future inflammatory events and can potentially lead to pain chronification. The mechanisms underlying the development of hyperalgesic priming are not well understood, limiting the identification of novel therapeutic strategies to combat chronic pain. In this study, we used a computational model to identify key proteins whose modifications caused priming of muscle nociceptors and made them hyperexcitable to a subsequent inflammatory event. First, we extended a previously validated model of mouse muscle nociceptor sensitization to incorporate Epac-mediated interaction between two G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathways commonly activated by inflammatory mediators. Next, we calibrated and validated the model simulations of the nociceptor's AP response to both innocuous and noxious levels of mechanical force after two subsequent inflammatory events using literature data. Then, by performing global sensitivity analyses that simulated thousands of nociceptor-priming scenarios, we identified five ion channels and two molecular processes (from the 18 modeled transmembrane proteins and 29 intracellular signaling components) as potential regulators of the increase in AP firing in response to mechanical forces. Finally, when we simulated specific neuroplastic modifications in Kv1.1 and Nav1.7 alone as well as with simultaneous modifications in Nav1.7, Nav1.8, TRPA1, and Kv7.2, we observed a considerable increase in the fold change in the number of triggered APs in primed nociceptors. These results suggest that altering the expression of Kv1.1 and Nav1.7 might regulate the neuronal hyperexcitability in primed mechanosensitive muscle nociceptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sridevi Nagaraja
- Department of Defense Biotechnology High Performance Computing Software Applications Institute, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, US Army Medical Research and Development Command, Fort Detrick, MD, United States
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Shivendra G. Tewari
- Department of Defense Biotechnology High Performance Computing Software Applications Institute, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, US Army Medical Research and Development Command, Fort Detrick, MD, United States
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jaques Reifman
- Department of Defense Biotechnology High Performance Computing Software Applications Institute, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, US Army Medical Research and Development Command, Fort Detrick, MD, United States
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12
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Hucho T. [Lipedema pain-the neglected symptom]. DERMATOLOGIE (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 74:575-579. [PMID: 37438647 DOI: 10.1007/s00105-023-05189-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Pain, which is a central characteristic of lipedema, allows differentiation from other fat tissue diseases. The analysis of the multiple aspects of pain beyond a quantification of pain scale scores could make molecular disease and therapy mechanisms accessible. Lipedema pain is causally linked to lipedema fat. First robust data show peripheral sensory changes. Tissue weight and systemic inflammation are becoming less likely as causes for the experianced pain. Furthermore, genetics and hormonal influences need to be investigated. Lipedema pain cannot currently be treated with drugs. Physical therapy shows transient relief. Liposuction has been shown to have a long-term effect on pain. The potential of modulating the perception of pain with psychotherapeutic approaches is emerging as a potentially effective new therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Hucho
- Translationale Schmerzforschung, Klinik für Anästhesiologie und Operative Intensivmedizin, Uniklinik Köln (AöR), Universität zu Köln, Joseph-Stelzmann Str. 9, Geb. 35, 50931, Köln, Deutschland.
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13
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Caspi Y, Mazar M, Kushnir Y, Mazor Y, Katz B, Lev S, Binshtok AM. Structural plasticity of axon initial segment in spinal cord neurons underlies inflammatory pain. Pain 2023; 164:1388-1401. [PMID: 36645177 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Physiological or pathology-mediated changes in neuronal activity trigger structural plasticity of the action potential generation site-the axon initial segment (AIS). These changes affect intrinsic neuronal excitability, thus tuning neuronal and overall network output. Using behavioral, immunohistochemical, electrophysiological, and computational approaches, we characterized inflammation-related AIS plasticity in rat's superficial (lamina II) spinal cord dorsal horn (SDH) neurons and established how AIS plasticity regulates the activity of SDH neurons, thus contributing to pain hypersensitivity. We show that in naive conditions, AIS in SDH inhibitory neurons is located closer to the soma than in excitatory neurons. Shortly after inducing inflammation, when the inflammatory hyperalgesia is at its peak, AIS in inhibitory neurons is shifted distally away from the soma. The shift in AIS location is accompanied by the decrease in excitability of SDH inhibitory neurons. These AIS location and excitability changes are selective for inhibitory neurons and reversible. We show that AIS shift back close to the soma, and SDH inhibitory neurons' excitability increases to baseline levels following recovery from inflammatory hyperalgesia. The computational model of SDH inhibitory neurons predicts that the distal shift of AIS is sufficient to decrease the intrinsic excitability of these neurons. Our results provide evidence of inflammatory pain-mediated AIS plasticity in the central nervous system, which differentially affects the excitability of inhibitory SDH neurons and contributes to inflammatory hyperalgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaki Caspi
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Michael Mazar
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yishai Kushnir
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yoav Mazor
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ben Katz
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shaya Lev
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Alexander M Binshtok
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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14
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Nagaraja S, Tewari SG, Reifman J. Identification of key factors driving inflammation-induced sensitization of muscle sensory neurons. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1147437. [PMID: 37250415 PMCID: PMC10213456 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1147437] [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: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Sensory neurons embedded in muscle tissue that initiate pain sensations, i.e., nociceptors, are temporarily sensitized by inflammatory mediators during musculoskeletal trauma. These neurons transduce peripheral noxious stimuli into an electrical signal [i.e., an action potential (AP)] and, when sensitized, demonstrate lower activation thresholds and a heightened AP response. We still do not understand the relative contributions of the various transmembrane proteins and intracellular signaling processes that drive the inflammation-induced hyperexcitability of nociceptors. In this study, we used computational analysis to identify key proteins that could regulate the inflammation-induced increase in the magnitude of AP firing in mechanosensitive muscle nociceptors. First, we extended a previously validated model of a mechanosensitive mouse muscle nociceptor to incorporate two inflammation-activated G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling pathways and validated the model simulations of inflammation-induced nociceptor sensitization using literature data. Then, by performing global sensitivity analyses that simulated thousands of inflammation-induced nociceptor sensitization scenarios, we identified three ion channels and four molecular processes (from the 17 modeled transmembrane proteins and 28 intracellular signaling components) as potential regulators of the inflammation-induced increase in AP firing in response to mechanical forces. Moreover, we found that simulating single knockouts of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) and reducing the rates of Gαq-coupled receptor phosphorylation and Gαq subunit activation considerably altered the excitability of nociceptors (i.e., each modification increased or decreased the inflammation-induced fold change in the number of triggered APs compared to when all channels were present). These results suggest that altering the expression of TRPA1 or the concentration of intracellular Gαq might regulate the inflammation-induced increase in AP response of mechanosensitive muscle nociceptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sridevi Nagaraja
- Department of Defense Biotechnology High Performance Computing Software Applications Institute, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, Fort Detrick, MD, United States
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Shivendra G. Tewari
- Department of Defense Biotechnology High Performance Computing Software Applications Institute, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, Fort Detrick, MD, United States
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jaques Reifman
- Department of Defense Biotechnology High Performance Computing Software Applications Institute, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, Fort Detrick, MD, United States
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15
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Lee GJ, Porreca F, Navratilova E. Prolactin and pain of endometriosis. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 247:108435. [PMID: 37169264 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Women experience chronic pain more often than men with some pain conditions being specific to women while others are more prevalent in women. Prolactin, a neuropeptide hormone with higher serum levels in women, has recently been demonstrated in preclinical studies to sensitize nociceptive sensory neurons in a sexually dimorphic manner. Dysregulation of prolactin and prolactin receptors may be responsible for increased pain especially in female predominant conditions such as migraine, fibromyalgia, and pelvic pain. In this review, we focus on the role of prolactin in endometriosis, a condition characterized by pelvic pain and infertility that affects a large proportion of women during their reproductive age. We discuss the symptoms and pathology of endometriosis and discuss how different sources of prolactin secretion may contribute to this disease. We highlight our current understanding of prolactin-mediated mechanisms of nociceptor sensitization in females and how this mechanism may apply to endometriosis. Lastly, we report the results of a systematic review of clinical studies conducted by searching the PubMed and EMBASE databases to identify association between endometriosis and blood levels of prolactin. The results of this search strongly indicate that serum prolactin levels are increased in patients with endometriosis and support the possibility that high levels of prolactin may promote pelvic pain in these patients and increase vulnerability to other comorbid pain conditions likely by dysregulating prolactin receptor expression. Targeting of prolactin and prolactin receptors may improve management of pain associated with endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace J Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Frank Porreca
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Edita Navratilova
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
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16
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Su J, Li Y, Xie D, Jiang J. Vertical 0.6 V sub-10 nm oxide-homojunction transistor gated by a silk fibroin/sodium alginate crosslinking hydrogel for pain-sensitization enhancement emulation. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2023; 10:1745-1756. [PMID: 36809465 DOI: 10.1039/d2mh01431a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The sensory nervous system of humans mainly depends on continuous training and memory to improve the pain-perceptional abilities for the complex noxious information in the real world and make appropriate responses. Unfortunately, the solid-state device for emulating this pain recognition with ultralow voltage operation still remains to be a great challenge. Herein, a vertical transistor with an ultrashort channel of ∼9.6 nm and ultralow voltage of ∼0.6 V based on protonic silk fibroin/sodium alginate crosslinking hydrogel electrolyte is successfully demonstrated. Such a hydrogel electrolyte with high ionic conductivity allows the transistor to work in an ultralow voltage, while the vertical transistor structure makes it have an ultrashort channel. Pain perception, memory, and sensitization can be integrated into this vertical transistor. Furthermore, using the photogating effect of light stimulus, the device displays multi-state pain-sensitization enhancement abilities through Pavlovian training. Most importantly, the cortical reorganization that reveals a close relationship among the pain stimulus, memory, and sensitization is finally realized. Therefore, this device can provide a great opportunity for multi-dimensional pain assessment, which is of great significance for the new generation of bio-inspired intelligent electronics, such as bionic robots, and smart medical equipment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingya Su
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nanophotonics and Devices, Hunan Key Laboratory of Super Microstructure and Ultrafast Process, School of Physics and Electronics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410083, China.
| | - Yanran Li
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nanophotonics and Devices, Hunan Key Laboratory of Super Microstructure and Ultrafast Process, School of Physics and Electronics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410083, China.
| | - Dingdong Xie
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nanophotonics and Devices, Hunan Key Laboratory of Super Microstructure and Ultrafast Process, School of Physics and Electronics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410083, China.
| | - Jie Jiang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nanophotonics and Devices, Hunan Key Laboratory of Super Microstructure and Ultrafast Process, School of Physics and Electronics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410083, China.
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17
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Schaefer I, Verkest C, Vespermann L, Mair T, Voß H, Zeitzschel N, Lechner SG. Protein kinase A mediates modality-specific modulation of the mechanically-gated ion channel PIEZO2. J Biol Chem 2023:104782. [PMID: 37146970 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein kinase A is a downstream effector of many inflammatory mediators that induce pain hypersensitivity by increasing the mechanosensitivity of nociceptive sensory afferent. Here we examine the molecular mechanism underlying protein kinase-A-dependent modulation of the mechanically-activated ion channel PIEZO2, which confers mechanosensitivity to many nociceptors. Using phosphorylation site prediction algorithms, we identified multiple putative and highly conserved PKA phosphorylation sites located on intracellular intrinsically disordered regions of PIEZO2. Site-directed mutagenesis and patch-clamp recordings showed that substitution of one or multiple putative PKA sites within a single intracellular domain does not alter PKA-induced PIEZO2 sensitization, whereas mutation of a combination of nine putative sites located on four different intracellular regions completely abolishes PKA-dependent PIEZO2 modulation, though it remains unclear whether all or just some of these nine sites are required. By demonstrating that PIEZO1 is not modulated by PKA, our data also reveals a previously unrecognized functional difference between PIEZO1 and PIEZO2. Moreover, by demonstrating that PKA only modulates PIEZO2 currents evoked by focal mechanical indentation of the cell, but not currents evoked by pressure-induced membrane stretch, we provide evidence suggesting that PIEZO2 is a polymodal mechanosensor that engages different protein domains for detecting different types of mechanical stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Schaefer
- Institute of Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Clement Verkest
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lucas Vespermann
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Mair
- Section for Mass-Spectrometry and Proteomics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hannah Voß
- Section for Mass-Spectrometry and Proteomics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nadja Zeitzschel
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan G Lechner
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
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18
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Deng D, Xu F, Ma L, Zhang T, Wang Y, Huang S, Zhao W, Chen X. Electroacupuncture Alleviates CFA-Induced Inflammatory Pain via PD-L1/PD-1-SHP-1 Pathway. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:2922-2936. [PMID: 36753045 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03233-x] [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: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Inflammatory pain is difficult to treat clinically, but electroacupuncture (EA) has been demonstrated to be effective in alleviating inflammatory pain. Programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and its downstream signal, Src homology region two domain-containing phosphatase-1 (SHP-1) have a critical role in relieving inflammatory pain. However, whether the PD-L1/PD-1-SHP-1 pathway mediates the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of EA in inflammatory pain remains unclear. Here, we observed that EA reversed the complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced hyperalgesia. EA reduced the expression of IL-6, iNOS, and NF-κB pathway in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) on day 7 after CFA injection but had no effect on the expression of IL-6, iNOS, and NF-κB PP65 on day 21 after CFA injection. Moreover, EA upregulated the protein levels of the PD-L1/PD-1-SHP-1 pathway on day 7 and day 21 after CFA injection. Furthermore, EA upregulated PD-L1 expression in calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)+ but not in isohaemagglutinin B4 (IB4)+ and NF200+ neurons on day 7 and day 21 after CFA injection. Intrathecal injection of the PD-L1/PD-1 inhibitor BMS-1 (50 or 100 µg) blocked the EA-induced analgesic effect, significantly increased IL-6 and iNOS levels, and reduced the levels of PD-L1/PD-1-SHP-1. BMS-1 (50 or 100 µg) significantly reduced the expression of PD-L1 in IB4+, CGRP+, and NF200+ neurons. Our results show that EA's anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects are associated with activating the PD-L1/PD-1-SHP-1 pathway and suppressing its regulated neuroinflammation. This study provides a new potential therapeutic target for treating inflammatory pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daling Deng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Feng Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Lulin Ma
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Tianhao Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yafeng Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Shiqian Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Wenjing Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Xiangdong Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
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19
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Li S, Jin Y, Li M, Yu H. NAN-190, a 5-HT 1A antagonist, alleviates inflammatory pain by targeting Nav1.7 sodium channels. Life Sci 2023; 319:121520. [PMID: 36828129 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121520] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
AIMS In the present study, NAN-190 [1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-(2-phthalimido) butyl] piperazine] was identified as a Nav1.7 blocker. In the meantime, the compound could alleviate the Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammatory pain. To understand the molecular mechanisms of NAN-190 on pain, the effect of NAN-190 on Nav1.7 sodium channels was studied. MAIN METHODS Inflammatory pain was induced by injection of CFA solution into the plantar side of the left hindpaw. Thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia were measured. Whole-cell patch clamp methods were used to record sodium channels and other pain-related targets in the cultured recombinant cells and dorsal root ganglion neurons. KEY FINDINGS Nan-190 was identified as an inhibitor of Nav1.7 sodium channels and animal experiments showed that NAN-190 significantly alleviated CFA-induced inflammatory pain. Mechanism studies demonstrated that NAN-190 was a state-dependent Nav1.7 blocker with IC50 value on the inactivated state ten-fold more potent than that on the rest state. NAN-190 leftward-shifted the fast and slow inactivation curves about 9.07 mV and 38.56 mV, respectively, but had no effects on channel activation. The compound also slowed the recovery from fast and slow inactivation and showed use-dependent properties. Further, the site-directed mutagenesis experiments demonstrated that NAN-190 mainly worked on the open state of Nav1.7 channels by interacting with sites similar as local anesthetics. In DRG neurons, NAN-190 mainly blocks TTX-sensitive currents but is less sensitive to TTX-R sodium currents. SIGNIFICANCE Taken together, our results indicated that NAN-190 alleviated pain behaviors by blocking sodium channels by interacting with the open state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaohua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Yuchen Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Min Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Haibo Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
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20
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Marino Y, Arangia A, Cordaro M, Siracusa R, D’Amico R, Impellizzeri D, Cupi R, Peritore AF, Gugliandolo E, Fusco R, Cuzzocrea S, Di Paola R. Analysis of the Influence of IL-6 and the Activation of the Jak/Stat3 Pathway in Fibromyalgia. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030792. [PMID: 36979771 PMCID: PMC10045851 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Fibromyalgia is a medical condition that affects a small percentage of the population, with no known effective treatment. There is evidence to suggest that inflammation is a key factor in the nerve sensitization that characterizes the disorder. Therefore, this paper concentrates on the role of IL-6 in fibromyalgia and the related pain-like symptoms. Methods: This work aimed to evaluate Sprague–Dawley rats, which were injected for three consecutive days with 1 mg/kg of reserpine; IL-6-R Ab was intraperitoneally injected at 1.5 mg/kg seven days after the first reserpine injection. Behavioral analyses were conducted at the beginning of the experiment and at seven and twenty-one days from the first reserpine injection. At this timepoint, the animals were sacrificed, and tissues were collected for molecular and histological analysis. Results: Our data showed the analgesic effect of IL-6-R-Ab administration on mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. Additionally, the reserpine + IL-6-R-Ab group showed a reduced expression of the pain-related mediators cFOS and NFG and reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) and chemokines (Cxcl5, Cxcl10 and Cx3cl1). From the molecular point of view, the IL-6-R-Ab administration reduced the gp130 phosphorylation and the activation of the Jak/STAT3 pathway. Additionally, the IL-6-R Ab reduced the activation of neuroinflammatory cells. Conclusions: Our study showed that IL-6 plays a crucial role in fibromyalgia by triggering the Jak/STAT3 pathway, leading to an increase in chemokine levels and activating glial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ylenia Marino
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, n 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Alessia Arangia
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, n 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Marika Cordaro
- Department of Biomedical, Dental and Morphological and Functional Imaging, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Rosalba Siracusa
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, n 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Ramona D’Amico
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, n 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Daniela Impellizzeri
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, n 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Rosalia Cupi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Annunzita, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Alessio Filippo Peritore
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, n 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Enrico Gugliandolo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Annunzita, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Roberta Fusco
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, n 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Salvatore Cuzzocrea
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, n 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Rosanna Di Paola
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Annunzita, 98168 Messina, Italy
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21
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Kimpara K, Arizono S, Tanaka T, Kimpara T, Terada K, Ohgi S. Brain Activation of Unpleasant Emotions Increases Catastrophizing in Patients with Chronic Pain. Pain Manag Nurs 2023; 24:329-334. [PMID: 36781329 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmn.2023.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Catastrophic thinking among patients with chronic pain impairs their quality of life and increases anxiety levels. Further, severe pain causes high emotional brain sensitivity and unpleasant feelings. However, the effects of emotional changes on catastrophic thinking in patients with chronic pain remain unclear. AIMS We hypothesised that emotional brain activity during mild pain stimuli would affect catastrophic thinking in these patients. We aimed to examine the relationship between unpleasant emotional brain activation and catastrophic thinking due to pain stimuli in patients with chronic pain. DESIGN This was a prospective observational study. PARTICIPANTS We included patients with chronic pain and healthy individuals. METHODS The impact of emotional brain activity on catastrophic thinking was evaluated, specifically, the skin conductance response and oxygenated haemoglobin levels using near-infrared spectroscopy. After receiving three different pain stimuli, the participants were evaluated using the Numeric Rating Scale, Pain Catastrophising Scale, and McGill Pain Questionnaire. RESULTS There were 28 patients in the chronic pain group and 33 patients in the healthy group. There was no between-group difference in oxygenated haemoglobin levels during pain stimulation. The chronic pain group showed a higher Pain Catastrophising Scale score and skin conductance response than the healthy group (p < .05). In the chronic pain group, oxygenated haemoglobin levels after pain stimuli were significantly associated with the Pain Catastrophising Scale score and skin conductance response (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS Brain activity of unpleasant emotions may influence catastrophic thinking in patients with chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiro Kimpara
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Seirei Christopher University, Hamamatsu, Japan; Terada Pain Clinic, Hamamatsu, Japan; School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Seirei Christopher University, Hamamatsu, Japan.
| | - Shinichi Arizono
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Seirei Christopher University, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Takako Tanaka
- Department of Physical Therapy, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | | | | | - Shohei Ohgi
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Seirei Christopher University, Hamamatsu, Japan
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22
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Encoding of inflammatory hyperalgesia in mouse spinal cord. Pain 2023; 164:443-460. [PMID: 36149026 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Inflammation modifies the input-output properties of peripheral nociceptive neurons such that the same stimulus produces enhanced nociceptive firing. This increased nociceptive output enters the superficial dorsal spinal cord (SDH), an intricate neuronal network composed largely of excitatory and inhibitory interneurons and a small percentage of projection neurons. The SDH network comprises the first central nervous system network integrating noxious information. Using in vivo calcium imaging and a computational approach, we characterized the responsiveness of the SDH network in mice to noxious stimuli in normal conditions and investigated the changes in SDH response patterns after acute burn injury-induced inflammation. We show that the application of noxious heat stimuli to the hind paw of naïve mice results in an overall increase in SDH network activity. Single-cell response analysis reveals that 70% of recorded neurons increase or suppress their activity, while ∼30% of neurons remain nonresponsive. After acute burn injury and the development of inflammatory hyperalgesia, application of the same noxious heat stimuli leads to the activation of previously nonresponding neurons and desuppression of suppressed neurons. We further demonstrate that an increase in afferent activity mimics the response of the SDH network to noxious heat stimuli under inflammatory conditions. Using a computational model of the SDH network, we predict that the changes in SDH network activity result in overall increased activity of excitatory neurons, amplifying the output from SDH to higher brain centers. We suggest that during acute local peripheral inflammation, the SDH network undergoes dynamic changes promoting hyperalgesia.
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23
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Ji RR. Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators as Resolution Pharmacology for the Control of Pain and Itch. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2023; 63:273-293. [PMID: 36100219 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-051921-084047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), including resolvins, protectins, and maresins, are endogenous lipid mediators that are synthesized from omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids during the acute phase or resolution phase of inflammation. Synthetic SPMs possess broad safety profiles and exhibit potent actions in resolving inflammation in preclinical models. Accumulating evidence in the past decade has demonstrated powerful analgesia of exogenous SPMs in rodent models of inflammatory, neuropathic, and cancer pain. Furthermore, endogenous SPMs are produced by sham surgery and neuromodulation (e.g., vagus nerve stimulation). SPMs produce their beneficial actions through multiple G protein-coupled receptors, expressed by immune cells, glial cells, and neurons. Notably, loss of SPM receptors impairs the resolution of pain. I also highlight the emerging role of SPMs in the control of itch. Pharmacological targeting of SPMs or SPM receptors has the potential to lead to novel therapeutics for pain and itch as emerging approaches in resolution pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru-Rong Ji
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, and Departments of Neurobiology and Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA;
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24
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Röderer P, Belu A, Heidrich L, Siobal M, Isensee J, Prolingheuer J, Janocha E, Valdor M, Hagendorf S, Bahrenberg G, Opitz T, Segschneider M, Haupt S, Nitzsche A, Brüstle O, Hucho T. Emergence of nociceptive functionality and opioid signaling in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived sensory neurons. Pain 2023:00006396-990000000-00249. [PMID: 36727909 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have enabled the generation of various difficult-to-access cell types such as human nociceptors. A key challenge associated with human iPSC-derived nociceptors (hiPSCdNs) is their prolonged functional maturation. While numerous studies have addressed the expression of classic neuronal markers and ion channels in hiPSCdNs, the temporal development of key signaling cascades regulating nociceptor activity has remained largely unexplored. In this study, we used an immunocytochemical high-content imaging approach alongside electrophysiological staging to assess metabotropic and ionotropic signaling of large scale-generated hiPSCdNs across 70 days of in vitro differentiation. During this period, the resting membrane potential became more hyperpolarized, while rheobase, action potential peak amplitude, and membrane capacitance increased. After 70 days, hiPSCdNs exhibited robust physiological responses induced by GABA, pH shift, ATP, and capsaicin. Direct activation of protein kinase A type II (PKA-II) through adenylyl cyclase stimulation with forskolin resulted in PKA-II activation at all time points. Depolarization-induced activation of PKA-II emerged after 35 days of differentiation. However, effective inhibition of forskolin-induced PKA-II activation by opioid receptor agonists required 70 days of in vitro differentiation. Our results identify a pronounced time difference between early expression of functionally important ion channels and emergence of regulatory metabotropic sensitizing and desensitizing signaling only at advanced stages of in vitro cultivation, suggesting an independent regulation of ionotropic and metabotropic signaling. These data are relevant for devising future studies into the development and regulation of human nociceptor function and for defining time windows suitable for hiPSCdN-based drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Röderer
- Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, University of Bonn Medical Faculty and University Hospital Bonn, Bonn
- LIFE & BRAIN GmbH, Cellomics Unit, Bonn, Germany, Germany
| | - Andreea Belu
- Translational Pain Research, Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Luzia Heidrich
- Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, University of Bonn Medical Faculty and University Hospital Bonn, Bonn
- LIFE & BRAIN GmbH, Cellomics Unit, Bonn, Germany, Germany
| | - Maike Siobal
- Translational Pain Research, Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jörg Isensee
- Translational Pain Research, Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jonathan Prolingheuer
- Translational Pain Research, Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Thoralf Opitz
- Institute of Experimental Epileptology and Cognition Research, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Michaela Segschneider
- Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, University of Bonn Medical Faculty and University Hospital Bonn, Bonn
| | - Simone Haupt
- LIFE & BRAIN GmbH, Cellomics Unit, Bonn, Germany, Germany
| | - Anja Nitzsche
- Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, University of Bonn Medical Faculty and University Hospital Bonn, Bonn
- LIFE & BRAIN GmbH, Cellomics Unit, Bonn, Germany, Germany
| | - Oliver Brüstle
- Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, University of Bonn Medical Faculty and University Hospital Bonn, Bonn
- LIFE & BRAIN GmbH, Cellomics Unit, Bonn, Germany, Germany
| | - Tim Hucho
- Translational Pain Research, Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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25
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Fang XX, Zhai MN, Zhu M, He C, Wang H, Wang J, Zhang ZJ. Inflammation in pathogenesis of chronic pain: Foe and friend. Mol Pain 2023; 19:17448069231178176. [PMID: 37220667 DOI: 10.1177/17448069231178176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain is a refractory health disease worldwide causing an enormous economic burden on individuals and society. Accumulating evidence suggests that inflammation in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and central nervous system (CNS) is the major factor in the pathogenesis of chronic pain. The inflammation in the early- and late phase may have distinctive effects on the initiation and resolution of pain, which can be viewed as friend or foe. On the one hand, painful injuries lead to the activation of glial cells and immune cells in the PNS, releasing pro-inflammatory mediators, which contribute to the sensitization of nociceptors, leading to chronic pain; neuroinflammation in the CNS drives central sensitization and promotes the development of chronic pain. On the other hand, macrophages and glial cells of PNS and CNS promote pain resolution via anti-inflammatory mediators and specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs). In this review, we provide an overview of the current understanding of inflammation in the deterioration and resolution of pain. Further, we summarize a number of novel strategies that can be used to prevent and treat chronic pain by controlling inflammation. This comprehensive view of the relationship between inflammation and chronic pain and its specific mechanism will provide novel targets for the treatment of chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Xia Fang
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Meng-Nan Zhai
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Meixuan Zhu
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Cheng He
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Heng Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Zhi-Jun Zhang
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
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DuBreuil DM, Lai X, Zhu K, Chahyadinata G, Perner C, Chiang BM, Battenberg A, Sokol CL, Wainger BJ. Phenotypic screen identifies the natural product silymarin as a novel anti-inflammatory analgesic. Mol Pain 2023; 19:17448069221148351. [PMID: 36526437 PMCID: PMC9893088 DOI: 10.1177/17448069221148351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensory neuron hyperexcitability is a critical driver of pathological pain and can result from axon damage, inflammation, or neuronal stress. G-protein coupled receptor signaling can induce pain amplification by modulating the activation of Trp-family ionotropic receptors and voltage-gated ion channels. Here, we sought to use calcium imaging to identify novel inhibitors of the intracellular pathways that mediate sensory neuron sensitization and lead to hyperexcitability. We identified a novel stimulus cocktail, consisting of the SSTR2 agonist L-054,264 and the S1PR3 agonist CYM5541, that elicits calcium responses in mouse primary sensory neurons in vitro as well as pain and thermal hypersensitivity in mice in vivo. We screened a library of 906 bioactive compounds and identified 24 hits that reduced calcium flux elicited by L-054,264/CYM5541. Among these hits, silymarin, a natural product derived from milk thistle, strongly reduced activation by the stimulation cocktail, as well as by a distinct inflammatory cocktail containing bradykinin and prostaglandin E2. Silymarin had no effect on sensory neuron excitability at baseline, but reduced calcium flux via Orai channels and downstream mediators of phospholipase C signaling. In vivo, silymarin pretreatment blocked development of adjuvant-mediated thermal hypersensitivity, indicating potential use as an anti-inflammatory analgesic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel M DuBreuil
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Genomic Medicine Unit, Sanofi, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Xiaofan Lai
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kevin Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gracesenia Chahyadinata
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Caroline Perner
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Germany
| | - Brenda M Chiang
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ashley Battenberg
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Caroline L Sokol
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard University and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Brian J Wainger
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard University and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA, USA
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27
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Nie C, Chen K, Zhu YU, Song H, Lyu F, Jiang J, Xia X, Zheng C. Comparison of time-dependent resistance isometric exercise and active range of motion exercise in alleviating the sensitization of postoperative axial pain after cervical laminoplasty. Musculoskelet Sci Pract 2022; 62:102669. [PMID: 36201875 DOI: 10.1016/j.msksp.2022.102669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Postoperative axial pain (PAP) is a significant complication after cervical laminoplasty. OBJECTIVE To investigate pain sensitization in PAP patients and effects of time-dependent resistance isometric exercise compared to active range-of-motion exercise on PAP. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort analysis. METHODS 211 patients undergoing postoperative 12-week exercises were evaluated for pressure pain threshold (PPT), temporal summation (TS) and both cross-sectional area and fatty infiltration of paraspinal muscles preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. There patients underwent Numeric rating pain scale (NRS) and neck disability index (NDI) 3 and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS At postoperative 3-month assessments, fewer patients undergoing isometric exercise showed PAP compared to range-of-motion exercise group (14/98 vs. 34/113; P = 0.006), and pain-related assessments in the former were lower than the latter (NRS at rest: 0.3 ± 0.8 vs. 0.7 ± 1.4, P = 0.014; NRS with movements: 0.4 ± 1.0 vs. 1.0 ± 1.7, P = 0.015; NDI: 2.4 ± 6.3 vs. 6.7 ± 10.9, P = 0.002). Postoperative cross-sectional area was smaller in isometric exercise group (603.5 ± 190.2) than in range-of-motion exercise group (678.7 ± 215.5) (P = 0.033), and the former showed higher local-area PPT and lower TS than the latter (PPT: 3.9 ± 1.8 vs. 3.1 ± 1.6, P = 0.002; TS: 1.8 ± 0.9 vs. 2.2 ± 1.0, P = 0.003). PAP patients showed lower local-area PPT and greater TS than those without PAP in both isometric (PPT: 2.8 ± 0.7 vs. 4.0 ± 1.9, P = 0.019; TS: 2.4 ± 0.6 vs. 1.7 ± 0.9, P = 0.011) and range-of-motion (PPT: 2.2 ± 0.9 vs. 3.6 ± 1.7, P < 0.001; TS: 2.8 ± 0.8 vs. 1.9 ± 0.9, P < 0.001) exercise groups. CONCLUSIONS Both peripheral and central sensitization are involved in PAP. Time-dependent isometric exercise has more positive effects on PAP than range-of-motion exercise because of its advantages in improving pain sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Nie
- Department of Orthopedics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Kaiwen Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Y U Zhu
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Upstate Medical University, State University of New York at Syracuse, Syracuse, NY, 10212, USA
| | - Huan Song
- Department of Nursing, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Feizhou Lyu
- Department of Orthopedics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China; Department of Orthopedics, The Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Jianyuan Jiang
- Department of Orthopedics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Xinlei Xia
- Department of Orthopedics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Chaojun Zheng
- Department of Orthopedics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China.
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28
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Pathophysiology of Post-Traumatic Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12121753. [PMID: 36551181 PMCID: PMC9775491 DOI: 10.3390/biom12121753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Trigeminal nerve injury is one of the causes of chronic orofacial pain. Patients suffering from this condition have a significantly reduced quality of life. The currently available management modalities are associated with limited success. This article reviews some of the common causes and clinical features associated with post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathic pain (PTNP). A cascade of events in the peripheral and central nervous system function is involved in the pathophysiology of pain following nerve injuries. Central and peripheral processes occur in tandem and may often be co-dependent. Due to the complexity of central mechanisms, only peripheral events contributing to the pathophysiology have been reviewed in this article. Future investigations will hopefully help gain insight into trigeminal-specific events in the pathophysiology of the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain secondary to nerve injury and enable the development of new therapeutic modalities.
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29
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Alexander TD, Muqeem T, Zhi L, Tymanskyj SR, Covarrubias M. Tunable Action Potential Repolarization Governed by Kv3.4 Channels in Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons. J Neurosci 2022; 42:8647-8657. [PMID: 36198500 PMCID: PMC9671581 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1210-22.2022] [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: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Kv3.4 channel regulates action potential (AP) repolarization in nociceptors and excitatory synaptic transmission in the spinal cord. We hypothesize that this is a tunable role governed by protein kinase-C-dependent phosphorylation of the Kv3.4 cytoplasmic N-terminal inactivation domain (NTID) at four nonequivalent sites. However, there is a paucity of causation evidence linking the phosphorylation status of Kv3.4 to the properties of the AP. To establish this link, we used adeno-associated viral vectors to specifically manipulate the expression and the effective phosphorylation status of Kv3.4 in cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons from mixed-sex rat embryos at embryonic day 18. These vectors encoded GFP (background control), wild-type (WT) Kv3.4, phosphonull (PN) Kv3.4 mutant (PN = S[8,9,15,21]A), phosphomimic (PM) Kv3.4 mutant (PM = S[8,9,15,21]D), and a Kv3.4 nonconducting dominant-negative (DN) pore mutant (DN = W429F). Following viral infection of the DRG neurons, we evaluated transduction efficiency and Kv3.4 expression and function via fluorescence microscopy and patch clamping. All functional Kv3.4 constructs induced current overexpression with similar voltage dependence of activation. However, whereas Kv3.4-WT and Kv3.4-PN induced fast transient currents, the Kv3.4-PM induced currents exhibiting impaired inactivation. In contrast, the Kv3.4-DN abolished the endogenous Kv3.4 current. Consequently, Kv3.4-DN and Kv3.4-PM produced APs with the longest and shortest durations, respectively, whereas Kv3.4-WT and Kv3.4-PN produced intermediate results. Moreover, the AP widths and maximum rates of AP repolarization from these groups are negatively correlated. We conclude that the expression and effective phosphorylation status of the Kv3.4 NTID confer a tunable mechanism of AP repolarization, which may provide exquisite regulation of pain signaling in DRG neurons.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The AP is an all-or-none millisecond-long electrical impulse that encodes information in the frequency and patterns of repetitive firing. However, signaling may also depend on the plasticity and diversity of the AP waveform. For instance, the shape and duration of the AP may regulate nociceptive synaptic transmission between a primary sensory afferent to a secondary neuron in the spinal cord. Here, we used mutants of the Kv3.4 voltage-gated potassium channel to manipulate its expression and effective phosphorylation status in dorsal root ganglion neurons and directly show how the expression and malleable inactivation properties of Kv3.4 govern the AP duration and repolarization rate. These results elucidate a mechanism of neural AP plasticity that may regulate pain signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler D Alexander
- Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
- Vicki & Jack Farber Institute of Neuroscience at Jefferson Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
| | - Tanziyah Muqeem
- Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
- Vicki & Jack Farber Institute of Neuroscience at Jefferson Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
| | - Lianteng Zhi
- Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
- Vicki & Jack Farber Institute of Neuroscience at Jefferson Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
| | - Stephen R Tymanskyj
- Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
- Vicki & Jack Farber Institute of Neuroscience at Jefferson Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
- Jefferson Synaptic Biology Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
| | - Manuel Covarrubias
- Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
- Vicki & Jack Farber Institute of Neuroscience at Jefferson Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
- Jefferson Synaptic Biology Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
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Hattori T, Ohga S, Shimo K, Niwa Y, Tokiwa Y, Matsubara T. Predictive Value of Pain Sensitization Associated with Response to Exercise Therapy in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Prospective Cohort Study. J Pain Res 2022; 15:3537-3546. [PMID: 36394057 PMCID: PMC9653041 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s385910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a degenerative disease with inflammation, becoming persistent as it progresses, resulting in reduced quality of life. Exercise is the recommended treatment for KOA; however, the extent of pain reduction with exercise is heterogeneous and the prognostic implications of baseline factors in patients undergoing exercise are still unknown. This study examined the association between the response to exercise therapy and clinical outcomes, radiologic severity, and pain sensitization, and investigated the optimal predictive value for the effectiveness of exercise. PATIENTS AND METHODS Demographics, radiologic severity, pressure pain threshold (PPT), and temporal summation of pain (TSP) at the knee, tibia, and forearm were assessed at baseline. The pain numeric rating scale (NRS) was assessed before and after 12 weeks of exercise. Patients were divided into responder/non-responder groups according to recommended criteria: responder, ≥30% reduction in pain; non-responder, <30% reduction in pain, and each variable was compared between the groups. The area under the curve (AUC) and cutoff points were determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS Sixty-five patients were categorized as responders and 26 as non-responders. In the non-responder group, baseline NRS (P<0.01), pain duration (P<0.01), and TSP at the knee (P<0.001) and tibia (P<0.05) were significantly higher, and PPT at the knee (P<0.001), tibia (P<0.001), and forearm (P<0.001) were significantly lower, than those in the responder group; however, no significant differences between groups were found in other demographics and radiologic severity. The variables that showed moderate or better predictive ability (AUC≥0.7) were PPT at the knee (cutoff points: 241.5 kPa), tibia (307.5 kPa), forearm (318.5 kPa), and TSP at the knee (15.5 mm). CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that pain sensitization is associated with the response to exercise therapy. Furthermore, we provide clinically predictive values for PPT and TSP in predicting the outcome to exercise in KOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takafumi Hattori
- Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe Gakuin University Graduate School, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
- Department of Rehabilitation, Maehara Orthopedics Rehabilitation Clinic, Obu, Aichi, Japan
| | - Satoshi Ohga
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe Gakuin University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Shimo
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe Gakuin University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Yuto Niwa
- Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe Gakuin University Graduate School, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Yuji Tokiwa
- Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe Gakuin University Graduate School, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Takako Matsubara
- Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe Gakuin University Graduate School, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe Gakuin University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
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31
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Zhang D, Jing B, Chen Z, Li X, Shi H, Zheng Y, Chang S, Zhao G. Ferulic acid alleviates sciatica by inhibiting peripheral sensitization through the RhoA/p38MAPK signalling pathway. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 106:154420. [PMID: 36115115 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to relieve sciatica, but their effects are not satisfactory. PURPOSE This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effects of ferulic acid on sciatica. METHODS Thirty-two SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, i.e., sham operation group, chronic constriction injury (CCI) group, mecobalamin group, and ferulic acid group. We conducted behavioural tests, ELISA, PCR, Western blots, and immunofluorescence analysis. Specific inhibitors were used in cell experiments to explore the related mechanisms. RESULTS Thermal hyperalgesia was induced after CCI operation, and ferulic acid relieved thermal hyperalgesia. In addition, ferulic acid decreased the IL1β, IL6, TNF-α, and CRP mRNA levels; the IBA-1, iNOS, IL1β, RhoA, RhoA-GTP, COX2, Rock1, TRPV1, TRPA1, and p-p38MAPK levels in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons; and the LPS, CRP, substance P (SP), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels in serum, and these levels were higher in the CCI group. In the cell experiments, LPS induced M1 polarization of GMI-R1 cells via the RhoA/Rock pathway. Ferulic acid attenuated LPS-induced M1 polarization by decreasing the levels of M1 polarization markers, including IL1β, IL6, TNF-α, iNOS, and CD32, and increased M2 polarization by increasing the levels of M2 polarization markers, including CD206 and Arg-1. LPS treatment clearly increased the iNOS, IL1β, RhoA, Rock1, Rock2 and p-p38 MAPK levels and reduced Arg-1 expression, and ferulic acid reversed these changes. CONCLUSION Ferulic acid can inhibit peripheral sensitization by reducing the levels of inflammatory factors, TRPA1 and TRPV1 through the RhoA/p38 MAPK pathway to alleviate sciatica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Zhang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Bei Jing
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenni Chen
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Li
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huimei Shi
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yachun Zheng
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shiquan Chang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guoping Zhao
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
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Kundu G, Shetty R, D’Souza S, Khamar P, Nuijts RMMA, Sethu S, Roy AS. A novel combination of corneal confocal microscopy, clinical features and artificial intelligence for evaluation of ocular surface pain. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277086. [PMID: 36318586 PMCID: PMC9624399 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To analyse various corneal nerve parameters using confocal microscopy along with systemic and orthoptic parameters in patients presenting with ocular surface pain using a random forest artificial intelligence (AI) model. DESIGN Observational, cross-sectional. METHODS Two hundred forty eyes of 120 patients with primary symptom of ocular surface pain or discomfort and control group of 60 eyes of 31 patients with no symptoms of ocular pain were analysed. A detailed ocular examination included visual acuity, refraction, slit-lamp and fundus. All eyes underwent laser scanning confocal microscopy (Heidelberg Engineering, Germany) and their nerve parameters were evaluated. The presence or absence of orthoptic issues and connective tissue disorders were included in the AI. The eyes were grouped as those (Group 1) with symptom grade higher than signs, (Group 2) with similar grades of symptoms and signs, (Group3) without symptoms but with signs, (Group 4) without symptoms and signs. The area under curve (AUC), accuracy, recall, precision and F1-score were evaluated. RESULTS Over all, the AI achieved an AUC of 0.736, accuracy of 86%, F1-score of 85.9%, precision of 85.6% and recall of 86.3%. The accuracy was the highest for Group 2 and least for Group 3 eyes. The top 6 parameters used for classification by the AI were microneuromas, immature and mature dendritic cells, presence of orthoptic issues and nerve fractal dimension parameter. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that various corneal nerve parameters, presence or absence of systemic and orthoptic issues coupled with AI can be a useful technique to understand and correlate the various clinical and imaging parameters of ocular surface pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gairik Kundu
- Department of Cornea and Refractive surgery, Narayana Nethralaya, Bangalore, India
- * E-mail:
| | - Rohit Shetty
- Department of Cornea and Refractive surgery, Narayana Nethralaya, Bangalore, India
| | - Sharon D’Souza
- Department of Cornea and Refractive surgery, Narayana Nethralaya, Bangalore, India
| | - Pooja Khamar
- Department of Cataract and Refractive surgery, Narayana Nethralaya, Bangalore, India
| | - Rudy M. M. A. Nuijts
- Department of Ophthalmology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Swaminathan Sethu
- GROW Research Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bangalore, India
| | - Abhijit Sinha Roy
- Imaging, Biomechanics and Mathematical Modeling Solutions, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bangalore, India
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Unveil the pain of endometriosis: from the perspective of the nervous system. Expert Rev Mol Med 2022; 24:e36. [PMID: 36059111 DOI: 10.1017/erm.2022.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease with pelvic pain and uncharacteristic accompanying symptoms. Endometriosis-associated pain often persists despite treatment of the disease, thus it brings a deleterious impact on their personal lives as well as imposing a substantial economic burden on them. At present, mechanisms underlie endometriosis-associated pain including inflammatory reaction, injury, aberrant blood vessels and the morphological and functional anomaly of the peripheral and central nervous systems. The nerve endings are influenced by the physical and chemical factors surrounding the lesion, via afferent nerve to the posterior root of the spinal nerve, then to the specific cerebral cortex involved in nociception. However, our understanding of the aetiology and mechanism of this complex pain process caused by endometriosis remains incomplete. Identifying the pathogenesis of endometriosis is crucial to disease management, offering proper treatment, and helping patients to seek novel targets for the maintenance and contributors of chronic pain. The main aim of this review is to focus on every possible mechanism of pain related to endometriosis in both peripheral and central nervous systems, and to present related mechanisms of action from the interaction between peripheral lesions and nerves to the changes in transmission of pain, resulting in hyperalgesia and the corresponding alterations in cerebral cortex and brain metabolism.
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Zeidler M, Kummer KK, Kress M. Towards bridging the translational gap by improved modeling of human nociception in health and disease. Pflugers Arch 2022; 474:965-978. [PMID: 35655042 PMCID: PMC9393146 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-022-02707-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Despite numerous studies which have explored the pathogenesis of pain disorders in preclinical models, there is a pronounced translational gap, which is at least partially caused by differences between the human and rodent nociceptive system. An elegant way to bridge this divide is the exploitation of human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) reprogramming into human iPSC-derived nociceptors (iDNs). Several protocols were developed and optimized to model nociceptive processes in health and disease. Here we provide an overview of the different approaches and summarize the knowledge obtained from such models on pain pathologies associated with monogenetic sensory disorders so far. In addition, novel perspectives offered by increasing the complexity of the model systems further to better reflect the natural environment of nociceptive neurons by involving other cell types in 3D model systems are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Zeidler
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Kai K Kummer
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Michaela Kress
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
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35
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Pain Sensitization and Neuropathic Pain-like Symptoms Associated with Effectiveness of Exercise Therapy in Patients with Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis. Pain Res Manag 2022; 2022:4323045. [PMID: 36071945 PMCID: PMC9444422 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4323045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Pain sensitization and neuropathic pain-like symptoms are some of the common pain symptoms in patients with lower limbs, including hip and knee, osteoarthritis (HOA/KOA). Exercise therapy has been the first-line treatment; however, the effects differ for each patient. This prospective cohort study investigated the relationship between the effectiveness of exercise therapy and pretreatment characteristics (radiologic severity, pain sensitization, and neuropathic pain-like symptoms) of patients with HOA/KOA. We assessed the pain intensity using a numerical rating scale (NRS) before and after 12 weeks of exercise therapy in patients with HOA/KOA (n = 101). Before treatment, the Kellgren–Lawrence (K-L) grade; minimum joint space width (mJSW); pressure pain threshold (PPT) and temporal summation of pain (TSP) at the affected joint, tibia, and forearm; Central Sensitization Inventory-9; and painDETECT questionnaire (PDQ) were assessed. Cluster analysis was based on the pretreatment NRS and change in NRS with exercise therapy to identify the subgroups of pain reduction. The pretreatment characteristics of each cluster were compared. According to the results of the cluster analyses, patients in cluster 1 had severe pain that did not improve after exercise therapy, patients in cluster 2 had severe pain that improved, and those in cluster 3 had mild pain that improved. The patients in cluster 1 exhibited lower PPT at all measurement sites, higher TSP at the affected joint, and higher PDQ scores than those in other clusters. There was no difference in the K-L grade and mJSW among the clusters. The subgroup with severe pain and pain sensitization or neuropathic pain-like symptoms at pretreatment, even with mild joint deformity, may have difficulty in achieving improvement in pain after 12 weeks of exercise therapy. These findings could be useful for prognosis prediction and for planning exercise therapy and combining with other treatment.
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36
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Corneal nerves and their role in dry eye pathophysiology. Exp Eye Res 2022; 222:109191. [PMID: 35850173 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
As the cornea is densely innervated, its nerves are integral not only to its structure but also to its pathophysiology. Corneal integrity depends on a protective tear film that is maintained by corneal sensation and the reflex arcs that control tearing and blinking. Furthermore, corneal nerves promote epithelial growth and local immunoregulation. Thus, corneal nerves constitute pillars of ocular surface homeostasis. Conversely, the abnormal tear film in dry eye favors corneal epithelial and nerve damage. The ensuing corneal nerve dysfunction contributes to dry eye progression, ocular pain and discomfort, and other neuropathic symptoms. Recent evidence from clinical studies and animal models highlight the significant but often overlooked neural dimension of dry eye pathophysiology. Herein, we review the anatomy and physiology of corneal nerves before exploring their role in the mechanisms of dry eye disease.
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Wang Y, Kang H, Jin M, Wang G, Ma W, Liu Z, Xue Y, Li C. Phenotypic and Transcriptomics Analyses Reveal Underlying Mechanisms in a Mouse Model of Corneal Bee Sting. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14070468. [PMID: 35878206 PMCID: PMC9323056 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14070468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal bee sting (CBS) is one of the most common ocular traumas and can lead to blindness. The ophthalmic manifestations are caused by direct mechanical effects of bee stings, toxic effects, and host immune responses to bee venom (BV); however, the underlying pathogenesis remains unclear. Clinically, topical steroids and antibiotics are routinely used to treat CBS patients but the specific drug targets are unknown; therefore, it is imperative to study the pathological characteristics, injury mechanisms, and therapeutic targets involved in CBS. In the present study, a CBS injury model was successfully established by injecting BV into the corneal stroma of healthy C57BL/6 mice. F-actin staining revealed corneal endothelial cell damage, decreased density, skeletal disorder, and thickened corneal stromal. The terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay showed apoptosis of both epithelial and endothelial cells. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis showed that cytokine–cytokine interactions were the most relevant pathway for pathogenesis. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis showed that IL-1, TNF, and IL-6 were the most relevant nodes. RNA-seq after the application of Tobradex® (0.3% tobramycin and 0.1% dexamethasone) eye ointment showed that Tobradex® not only downregulated relevant inflammatory factors but also reduced corneal pain as well as promoted nerve regeneration by repairing axons. Here, a stable and reliable model of CBS injury was successfully established for the first time, and the pathogenesis of CBS and the therapeutic targets of Tobradex® are discussed. These hub genes are expected to be biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the diagnosis and treatment of CBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanzi Wang
- Eye Institute & Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (Y.W.); (H.K.); (M.J.); (Z.L.)
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Honghua Kang
- Eye Institute & Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (Y.W.); (H.K.); (M.J.); (Z.L.)
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Mengyi Jin
- Eye Institute & Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (Y.W.); (H.K.); (M.J.); (Z.L.)
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Guoliang Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China;
| | - Weifang Ma
- Department of Ophthalmology, No.4 West China Teaching Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China;
| | - Zhen Liu
- Eye Institute & Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (Y.W.); (H.K.); (M.J.); (Z.L.)
| | - Yuhua Xue
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China;
- Correspondence: (Y.X.); (C.L.); Tel./Fax: +86-592-2189698 (Y.X.)
| | - Cheng Li
- Eye Institute & Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (Y.W.); (H.K.); (M.J.); (Z.L.)
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- Correspondence: (Y.X.); (C.L.); Tel./Fax: +86-592-2189698 (Y.X.)
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Fang XX, Wang H, Song HL, Wang J, Zhang ZJ. Neuroinflammation Involved in Diabetes-Related Pain and Itch. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:921612. [PMID: 35795572 PMCID: PMC9251344 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.921612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global epidemic with increasing incidence, which results in diverse complications, seriously affects the patient quality of life, and brings huge economic burdens to society. Diabetic neuropathy is the most common chronic complication of DM, resulting in neuropathic pain and chronic itch. The precise mechanisms of diabetic neuropathy have not been fully clarified, hindering the exploration of novel therapies for diabetic neuropathy and its terrible symptoms such as diabetic pain and itch. Accumulating evidence suggests that neuroinflammation plays a critical role in the pathophysiologic process of neuropathic pain and chronic itch. Indeed, researchers have currently made significant progress in knowing the role of glial cells and the pro-inflammatory mediators produced from glial cells in the modulation of chronic pain and itch signal processing. Here, we provide an overview of the current understanding of neuroinflammation in contributing to the sensitization of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and central nervous system (CNS). In addition, we also summarize the inflammation mechanisms that contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic itch, including activation of glial cells, oxidative stress, and pro-inflammatory factors. Targeting excessive neuroinflammation may provide potential and effective therapies for the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain and itch in DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Xia Fang
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
- Department of Medical Functional Laboratory, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Heng Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Hao-Lin Song
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Zhi-Jun Zhang
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
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Huang ST, Chen BB, Song ZJ, Tang HL, Hua R, Zhang YM. Unraveling the role of Epac1-SOCS3 signaling in the development of neonatal-CRD-induced visceral hypersensitivity in rats. CNS Neurosci Ther 2022; 28:1393-1408. [PMID: 35702948 PMCID: PMC9344090 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims Visceral hypersensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is widespread, but effective therapies for it remain elusive. As a canonical anti‐inflammatory protein, suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) reportedly relays exchange protein 1 directly activated by cAMP (Epac1) signaling and inhibits the intracellular response to inflammatory cytokines. Despite the inhibitory effect of SOCS3 on the pro‐inflammatory response and neuroinflammation in PVN, the systematic investigation of Epac1‐SOCS3 signaling involved in visceral hypersensitivity remains unknown. This study aimed to explore Epac1‐SOCS3 signaling in the activity of hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF) neurons and visceral hypersensitivity in adult rats experiencing neonatal colorectal distension (CRD). Methods Rats were subjected to neonatal CRD to simulate visceral hypersensitivity to investigate the effect of Epac1‐SOCS3 signaling on PVN CRF neurons. The expression and activity of Epac1 and SOCS3 in nociceptive hypersensitivity were determined by western blot, RT‐PCR, immunofluorescence, radioimmunoassay, electrophysiology, and pharmacology. Results In neonatal‐CRD‐induced visceral hypersensitivity model, Epac1 and SOCS3 expressions were downregulated and IL‐6 levels elevated in PVN. However, infusion of Epac agonist 8‐pCPT in PVN reduced CRF neuronal firing rates, and overexpression of SOCS3 in PVN by AAV‐SOCS3 inhibited the activation of PVN neurons, reduced visceral hypersensitivity, and precluded pain precipitation. Intervention with IL‐6 neutralizing antibody also alleviated the visceral hypersensitivity. In naïve rats, Epac antagonist ESI‐09 in PVN increased CRF neuronal firing. Consistently, genetic knockdown of Epac1 or SOCS3 in PVN potentiated the firing rate of CRF neurons, functionality of HPA axis, and sensitivity of visceral nociception. Moreover, pharmacological intervention with exogenous IL‐6 into PVN simulated the visceral hypersensitivity. Conclusions Inactivation of Epac1‐SOCS3 pathway contributed to the neuroinflammation accompanied by the sensitization of CRF neurons in PVN, precipitating visceral hypersensitivity and pain in rats experiencing neonatal CRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Ting Huang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou, China
| | - Bin-Bin Chen
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Jing Song
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou, China
| | - Hui-Li Tang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou, China
| | - Rong Hua
- Department of Emergency, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yong-Mei Zhang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou, China
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40
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Corneal Confocal Microscopy Features and Tear Molecular Profile in Study Participants with Discordance between Ocular Surface Disease Clinical Signs and Discomfort. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11092407. [PMID: 35566533 PMCID: PMC9099769 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11092407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Various ocular surface conditions such as dry eye disease can present with severe discomfort and pain. However, it is clinically challenging to establish etiology and prescribe correct treatment in patients who have a lot of discordance between symptoms and signs. To understand the basis of such discordance, we stratified subjects with ocular surface pain based on concordance between the severity of signs and symptoms and evaluated corneal structural features and tear molecular factors. All subjects underwent slit lamp examination, dry eye evaluation, and ocular surface disease index (OSDI) scoring. Subjects were stratified into group 1—without symptoms or clinical signs; group 2—without symptoms but with signs; group 3—with similar severity of symptoms and signs; and group 4—with symptom severity greater than that of the signs. Laser scanning in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) and tear fluid analysis for soluble factors by multiplex ELISA was performed for all subjects. Patients with a higher grade of symptoms and signs showed increased corneal dendritic cell (cDC) density (p < 0.05) which was more pronounced in subjects with discordance between the symptoms and signs (group 4). A significantly higher proportion of microneuroma-like structures and cDC were observed in group 4. IL-17A levels were significantly elevated in the tears of subjects with more discomfort. Our results demonstrate that corneal IVCM and the measurement of tear film factors can help clinicians improve diagnosis and treatment choice. Stratifying patients with ocular surface discomfort on the basis of discordance between symptoms and clinical signs may help identify patients who need additional adjunctive targeted therapy to resolve their condition.
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Nociception and hypersensitivity involve distinct neurons and molecular transducers in Drosophila. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2113645119. [PMID: 35294287 PMCID: PMC8944580 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2113645119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
SignificanceFunctional plasticity of the nociceptive circuit is a remarkable feature and is of clinical relevance. As an example, nociceptors lower their threshold upon tissue injury, a process known as allodynia that would facilitate healing by guarding the injured areas. However, long-lasting hypersensitivity could lead to chronic pain, a debilitating disease not effectively treated. Therefore, it is crucial to dissect the mechanisms underlying basal nociception and nociceptive hypersensitivity. In both vertebrate and invertebrate species, conserved transient receptor potential (Trp) channels are the primary transducers of noxious stimuli. Here, we provide a precedent that in Drosophila larvae, heat sensing in the nociception and hypersensitivity states is mediated by distinct heat-sensitive neurons and TrpA1 alternative isoforms.
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Aguilera-Lizarraga J, Hussein H, Boeckxstaens GE. Immune activation in irritable bowel syndrome: what is the evidence? Nat Rev Immunol 2022; 22:674-686. [PMID: 35296814 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-022-00700-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder that is characterized by abdominal pain and an altered defecation pattern. It affects between 5 and 20% of the general population and can seriously impact quality of life. The pathophysiology of IBS is rather complex and multifactorial including, for example, altered signalling by the gut-brain axis, dysbiosis, abnormal visceral pain signalling and intestinal immune activation. The latter has gained particular interest in recent years, with growing insight into the bidirectional communication between the nervous system and the immune system. In this Review, we detail the current evidence suggesting that immune activation contributes to the pathology seen in patients with IBS and discuss the potential mechanisms involved. Moreover, we describe how immune mediators, particularly those released by mast cells, can directly activate or sensitize pain-transmitting nerves, leading to increased pain signalling and abdominal pain. Finally, we discuss the potential of interventions targeting immune activation as a new therapeutic strategy for patients suffering from IBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Aguilera-Lizarraga
- Laboratory for Intestinal Neuroimmune Interactions, Translational Research Centre for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hind Hussein
- Laboratory for Intestinal Neuroimmune Interactions, Translational Research Centre for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Guy E Boeckxstaens
- Laboratory for Intestinal Neuroimmune Interactions, Translational Research Centre for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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PACAP-38 Induces Transcriptomic Changes in Rat Trigeminal Ganglion Cells Related to Neuroinflammation and Altered Mitochondrial Function Presumably via PAC1/VPAC2 Receptor-Independent Mechanism. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042120. [PMID: 35216232 PMCID: PMC8874739 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a broadly expressed neuropeptide which has diverse effects in both the peripheral and central nervous systems. While its neuroprotective effects have been shown in a variety of disease models, both animal and human data support the role of PACAP in migraine generation. Both PACAP and its truncated derivative PACAP(6-38) increased calcium influx in rat trigeminal ganglia (TG) primary sensory neurons in most experimental settings. PACAP(6-38), however, has been described as an antagonist for PACAP type I (known as PAC1), and Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide Receptor 2 (also known as VPAC2) receptors. Here, we aimed to compare the signaling pathways induced by the two peptides using transcriptomic analysis. Rat trigeminal ganglion cell cultures were incubated with 1 µM PACAP-38 or PACAP(6-38). Six hours later RNA was isolated, next-generation RNA sequencing was performed and transcriptomic changes were analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes. Functional analysis was performed for gene annotation using the Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Reactome databases. We found 200 common differentially expressed (DE) genes for these two neuropeptides. Both PACAP-38 and PACAP(6-38) treatments caused significant downregulation of NADH: ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit B6 and upregulation of transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily M, member 8. The common signaling pathways induced by both peptides indicate that they act on the same target, suggesting that PACAP activates trigeminal primary sensory neurons via a mechanism independent of the identified and cloned PAC1/VPAC2 receptor, either via another target structure or a different splice variant of PAC1/VPAC2 receptors. Identification of the target could help to understand key mechanisms of migraine.
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Li Y, Yin K, Diao Y, Fang M, Yang J, Zhang J, Cao H, Liu X, Jiang J. A biopolymer-gated ionotronic junctionless oxide transistor array for spatiotemporal pain-perception emulation in nociceptor network. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:2316-2326. [PMID: 35084010 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr07896h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Capable of reflecting the location and intensity of external harmful stimuli, a nociceptor network is of great importance for receiving pain-perception information. However, the hardware-based implementation of a nociceptor network through the use of a transistor array remains a great challenge in the area of brain-inspired neuromorphic applications. Herein, a simple ionotronic junctionless oxide transistor array with pain-perception abilities is successfully realized due to a coplanar-gate proton-coupling effect in sodium alginate biopolymer electrolyte. Several important pain-perception characteristics of nociceptors are emulated, such as a pain threshold, the memory of prior injury, and sensitization behavior due to pathway alterations. In particular, a good graded pain-perception network system has been successfully established through coplanar capacitance and resistance. More importantly, clear polarity reversal of Lorentz-type spatiotemporal pain-perception emulation can be finally realized in our projection-dependent nociceptor network. This work may provide new avenues for bionic medical machines and humanoid robots based on these intriguing pain-perception abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanran Li
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nanophotonics and Devices, School of Physics and Electronics, Central South University, 932 South Lushan Road, Changsha, Hunan 410083, P. R. China.
| | - Kai Yin
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nanophotonics and Devices, School of Physics and Electronics, Central South University, 932 South Lushan Road, Changsha, Hunan 410083, P. R. China.
| | - Yu Diao
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nanophotonics and Devices, School of Physics and Electronics, Central South University, 932 South Lushan Road, Changsha, Hunan 410083, P. R. China.
| | - Mei Fang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nanophotonics and Devices, School of Physics and Electronics, Central South University, 932 South Lushan Road, Changsha, Hunan 410083, P. R. China.
| | - Junliang Yang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nanophotonics and Devices, School of Physics and Electronics, Central South University, 932 South Lushan Road, Changsha, Hunan 410083, P. R. China.
| | - Jian Zhang
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin, 541004, P. R. China
| | - Hongtao Cao
- Laboratory of Advanced Nano Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoliang Liu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nanophotonics and Devices, School of Physics and Electronics, Central South University, 932 South Lushan Road, Changsha, Hunan 410083, P. R. China.
| | - Jie Jiang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nanophotonics and Devices, School of Physics and Electronics, Central South University, 932 South Lushan Road, Changsha, Hunan 410083, P. R. China.
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Starkweather A, Ward K, Eze B, Gavin A, Renn CL, Dorsey SG. Neurophysiological and transcriptomic predictors of chronic low back pain: Study protocol for a longitudinal inception cohort study. Res Nurs Health 2022; 45:11-22. [PMID: 34866207 PMCID: PMC8792278 DOI: 10.1002/nur.22200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Chronic low back pain is one of the most common, costly, and debilitating pain conditions worldwide. Increased mechanistic understanding of the transition from acute to chronic low back and identification of predictive biomarkers could enhance the clinical assessment performed by healthcare providers and enable the development of targeted treatment to prevent and/or better manage chronic low back pain. This study protocol was designed to identify the neurological and transcriptomic biomarkers predictive of chronic low back pain at low back pain onset. This is a prospective descriptive longitudinal inception cohort study that will follow 340 individuals with acute low back pain and 40 healthy controls over 2 years. To analyze the neurophysiological and transcriptomic biomarkers of low back pain, the protocol includes psychological and pain-related survey data that will be collected beginning within 6 weeks of low back pain onset (baseline, 6, 12, 24, 52 weeks, and 2 years) and remotely at five additional time points (8, 10, 16, 20 weeks, and 18 months). Quantitative sensory testing and collection of blood samples for RNA sequencing will occur during the six in-person visits. The study results will describe variations in the neurophysiological and transcriptomic profiles of healthy pain-free controls and individuals with low back pain who either recover to pain-free status or develop chronic low back pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Starkweather
- University of Connecticut School of Nursing, Professor, Institute for Genome Sciences, 231 Glenbrook Road, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Kathryn Ward
- University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Nursing, 655 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201
| | - Bright Eze
- University of Connecticut School of Nursing, 231 Glenbrook Road, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Ahleah Gavin
- University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Nursing, 655 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201
| | - Cynthia L. Renn
- University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Nursing, 655 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201
| | - Susan G. Dorsey
- University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Nursing, Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Professor, Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, School of Dentistry, 655 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201
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Pereira EWM, Heimfarth L, Santos TK, Passos FRS, Siqueira-Lima P, Scotti L, Scotti MT, Almeida JRGDS, Campos AR, Coutinho HDM, Martin P, Quintans-Júnior LJ, Quintans JSS. Limonene, a citrus monoterpene, non-complexed and complexed with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin attenuates acute and chronic orofacial nociception in rodents: Evidence for involvement of the PKA and PKC pathway. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 96:153893. [PMID: 35026511 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic orofacial pain is a serious public health problem with a prevalence of 7-11% in the population. This disorder has different etiologies and characteristics that make pharmacological treatment difficult. Natural products have been shown to be a promising source of treatments for the management of chronic pain, as an example the terpenes. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of one of these terpenes, d-limonene (LIM - a common monoterpene found in citrus fruits) alone and complexed with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (LIM/HPβCD) in preclinical animal models. METHODS Orofacial pain was induced by the administration of hypertonic saline on the corneal surface, the injection of formalin into the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), or chronic constriction injury of the infraorbital nerve (CCI-IoN). The study used male Wistar rats and Swiss mice treated with LIM (50 mg/kg), LIM/HPβCD (50 mg/kg), vehicle (control), gabapentin or morphine, and eyes wiping (induced by hypertonic saline), face rubbing (formalin-induced in TMJ) or mechanical hyperalgesia (provoked by CCI-IoN) were assessed. Additionally, ELISA was used to measure TNF-α, and western blot analysis to assess levels of PKAcα, NFκB, p38MAPK and phosphorylated PKC substrates. Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transferase (ALT) were also evaluated. RESULTS LIM and LIM/HPβCD significantly reduced (p < 0.001) corneal nociception and formalin-induced TMJ nociception. In addition, both substances attenuated (p < 0.001) mechanical hyperalgesia in the CCI-IoN model. The antinociceptive effect induced by LIM and HPβCD/LIM was associated with decreased TNF-α levels, downregulation of the NFκB and p38MAPK signalling pathways and reduced PKC substrate phosphorylation and PKA immunocontent. Moreover, the results demonstrated that complexation with HPβCD was able to decrease the therapeutic dose of LIM. CONCLUSION LIM was found to be a promising molecule for the treatment of orofacial pain due to its capacity to modulate some important mediators essential to the establishment of pain, and HPβCD can be a key tool to improve the profile of LIM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik W M Pereira
- Department of Physiology, Laboratory of Neuroscience and Pharmacological Assays (LANEF), Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil; Health Sciences Graduate Program (PPGCS), Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, SE, Brazil
| | - Luana Heimfarth
- Department of Physiology, Laboratory of Neuroscience and Pharmacological Assays (LANEF), Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil
| | - Tiffany Kb Santos
- Department of Physiology, Laboratory of Neuroscience and Pharmacological Assays (LANEF), Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil
| | - Fabiolla R S Passos
- Department of Physiology, Laboratory of Neuroscience and Pharmacological Assays (LANEF), Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil; Health Sciences Graduate Program (PPGCS), Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, SE, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Adriana R Campos
- Experimental Biology Centre (NUBEX). University of Fortaleza, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | | | - Patrick Martin
- Univ Artois, UniLaSalle, Unité Transformations & Agroressources, Béthune, France
| | - Lucindo J Quintans-Júnior
- Department of Physiology, Laboratory of Neuroscience and Pharmacological Assays (LANEF), Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil; Health Sciences Graduate Program (PPGCS), Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, SE, Brazil
| | - Jullyana S S Quintans
- Department of Physiology, Laboratory of Neuroscience and Pharmacological Assays (LANEF), Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil; Health Sciences Graduate Program (PPGCS), Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, SE, Brazil
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47
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Sharma D, Jaggi AS, Arora K, Bali A. Exploring the role of cAMP in gabapentin- mediated pain attenuating effects in chronic constriction injury model in rats. BRAZ J PHARM SCI 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/s2175-97902022e19362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kiran Arora
- Akal College of Pharmacy and Technical education, India
| | - Anjana Bali
- Akal College of Pharmacy and Technical education, India; Central University of Punjab, India
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Campbell KA. The neurobiology of childhood trauma, from early physical pain onwards: as relevant as ever in today's fractured world. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2022; 13:2131969. [PMID: 36276555 PMCID: PMC9586666 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2022.2131969] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The situation in the world today, encompassing multiple armed conflicts, notably in Ukraine, the Coronavirus pandemic and the effects of climate change, increases the likelihood of childhood exposure to physical injury and pain. Other effects of these worldwide hardships include poverty, malnutrition and starvation, also bringing with them other forms of trauma, including emotional harm, neglect and deliberate maltreatment. Objective: To review the neurobiology of the systems in the developing brain that are most affected by physical and emotional trauma and neglect. Method: The review begins with those that mature first, such as the somatosensory system, progressing to structures that have a more protracted development, including those involved in cognition and emotional regulation. Explored next are developing stress response systems, especially the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and its central regulator, corticotropin-releasing hormone. Also examined are reward and anti-reward systems and genetic versus environmental influences. The behavioural consequences of interpersonal childhood trauma, focusing on self-harm and suicide, are also surveyed briefly. Finally, pointers to effective treatment are proffered. Results: The low-threshold nature of circuitry in the developing brain and lack of inhibitory connections therein result in heightened excitability, making the consequences of both physical and emotional trauma more intense. Sensitive and critical periods in the development of structures such as the amygdala render the nervous system more vulnerable to insults occurring at those points, increasing the likelihood of psychiatric disorders, culminating in self-harm and even suicide. Conclusion: In view of the greater excitability of the developing nervous system, and its vulnerability to physical and psychological injuries, the review ends with an exhortation to consider the long-term consequences of childhood trauma, often underestimated or missed altogether when faced with adults suffering mental health problems.
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Zhang WW, Cao H, Li Y, Fu XJ, Zhang YQ. Peripheral ablation of type Ⅲ adenylyl cyclase induces hyperalgesia and eliminates KOR-mediated analgesia in mice. JCI Insight 2021; 7:153191. [PMID: 34914639 PMCID: PMC8855833 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.153191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ca2+/calmodulin-stimulated group Ⅰ adenylyl cyclase (AC) isoforms AC1 and AC8 have been involved in nociceptive processing and morphine responses. However, whether AC3, another member of group I ACs, is involved in nociceptive transmission and regulates opioid receptor signaling remain elusive. Here we report that conditional knockout of AC3 (AC3CKO) in L3 and L4 DRGs robustly facilitates the mouse nociceptive responses, decreases voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channel currents and increases neuronal excitability. Also, AC3CKO eliminates the analgesic effect of κ opioid receptor (KOR) agonist and its inhibition on Kv channel by classical Gαi/o signaling or nonclassical direct interaction of KOR and AC3 proteins. Interestingly, significantly upregulated AC1 level and cAMP concentration are detected in AC3 deficient DRGs. Inhibition of AC1 completely reversed cAMP upregulation, neuronal excitability enhancement and nociceptive behavioral hypersensitivity in AC3CKO mice. Our findings suggest a crucial role of peripheral AC3 in nociceptive modulation and KOR opioid analgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Wen Zhang
- Department of Translational Neurosciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Cao
- Department of Translational Neurosciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Li
- College of Intelligence and Information Engineering, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Xian-Jun Fu
- Qingdao Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qingdao, China
| | - Yu-Qiu Zhang
- Department of Translational Neurosciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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50
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Jansen LAR, Forster LA, Smith XL, Rubaharan M, Murphy AZ, Baro DJ. Changes in peripheral HCN2 channels during persistent inflammation. Channels (Austin) 2021; 15:165-179. [PMID: 33423595 PMCID: PMC7808421 DOI: 10.1080/19336950.2020.1870086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Nociceptor sensitization following nerve injury or inflammation leads to chronic pain. An increase in the nociceptor hyperpolarization-activated current, Ih, is observed in many models of pathological pain. Pharmacological blockade of Ih prevents the mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity that occurs during pathological pain. Alterations in the Hyperpolarization-activated Cyclic Nucleotide-gated ion channel 2 (HCN2) mediate Ih-dependent thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia. Limited knowledge exists regarding the nature of these changes during chronic inflammatory pain. Modifications in HCN2 expression and post-translational SUMOylation have been observed in the Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) model of chronic inflammatory pain. Intra-plantar injection of CFA into the rat hindpaw induces unilateral hyperalgesia that is sustained for up to 14 days following injection. The hindpaw is innervated by primary afferents in lumbar DRG, L4-6. Adjustments in HCN2 expression and SUMOylation have been well-documented for L5 DRG during the first 7 days of CFA-induced inflammation. Here, we examine bilateral L4 and L6 DRG at day 1 and day 3 post-CFA. Using L4 and L6 DRG cryosections, HCN2 expression and SUMOylation were measured with immunohistochemistry and proximity ligation assays, respectively. Our findings indicate that intra-plantar injection of CFA elicited a bilateral increase in HCN2 expression in L4 and L6 DRG at day 1, but not day 3, and enhanced HCN2 SUMOylation in ipsilateral L6 DRG at day 1 and day 3. Changes in HCN2 expression and SUMOylation were transient over this time course. Our study suggests that HCN2 is regulated by multiple mechanisms during CFA-induced inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- L-A. R. Jansen
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - L. A. Forster
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - X. L. Smith
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - M. Rubaharan
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - A. Z. Murphy
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - D. J. Baro
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
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