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Rivera-García LG, Francis-Malavé AM, Castillo ZW, Uong CD, Wilson TD, Ferchmin PA, Eterovic V, Burton MD, Carrasquillo Y. Anti-hyperalgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of 4R-tobacco cembranoid in a mouse model of inflammatory pain. J Inflamm (Lond) 2024; 21:2. [PMID: 38267952 PMCID: PMC10809744 DOI: 10.1186/s12950-023-00373-8] [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: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
4R is a tobacco cembranoid that binds to and modulates cholinergic receptors and exhibits neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activity. Given the established function of the cholinergic system in pain and inflammation, we propose that 4R is also analgesic. Here, we tested the hypothesis that systemic 4R treatment decreases pain-related behaviors and peripheral inflammation via modulation of the alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7 nAChRs) in a mouse model of inflammatory pain. We elicited inflammation by injecting Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) into the hind paw of male and female mice. We then assessed inflammation-induced hypersensitivity to cold, heat, and tactile stimulation using the Acetone, Hargreaves, and von Frey tests, respectively, before and at different time points (2.5 h - 8d) after a single systemic 4R (or vehicle) administration. We evaluated the contribution of α7 nAChRs 4R-mediated analgesia by pre-treating mice with a selective antagonist of α7 nAChRs followed by 4R (or vehicle) administration prior to behavioral tests. We assessed CFA-induced paw edema and inflammation by measuring paw thickness and quantifying immune cell infiltration in the injected hind paw using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Lastly, we performed immunohistochemical and flow cytometric analyses of paw skin in α7 nAChR-cre::Ai9 mice to measure the expression of α7 nAChRs on immune subsets. Our experiments show that systemic administration of 4R decreases inflammation-induced peripheral hypersensitivity in male and female mice and inflammation-induced paw edema in male but not female mice. Notably, 4R-mediated analgesia and anti-inflammatory effects lasted up to 8d after a single systemic administration on day 1. Pretreatment with an α7 nAChR-selective antagonist prevented 4R-mediated analgesia and anti-inflammatory effects, demonstrating that 4R effects are via modulation of α7 nAChRs. We further show that a subset of immune cells in the hind paw expresses α7 nAChRs. However, the number of α7 nAChR-expressing immune cells is unaltered by CFA or 4R treatment, suggesting that 4R effects are independent of α7 nAChR-expressing immune cells. Together, our findings identify a novel function of the 4R tobacco cembranoid as an analgesic agent in both male and female mice that reduces peripheral inflammation in a sex-dependent manner, further supporting the pharmacological targeting of the cholinergic system for pain treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis G Rivera-García
- Division of Intramural Research National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 35 Convent Drive, Building 35A / Room 1E-410, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Universidad Central Del Caribe School of Medicine, Bayamon, Puerto Rico, USA
| | - Adela M Francis-Malavé
- Division of Intramural Research National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 35 Convent Drive, Building 35A / Room 1E-410, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Zachary W Castillo
- Neuroimmunology and Behavior Group, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Advanced Pain Studies (CAPS), School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas, Dallas, USA
| | - Calvin D Uong
- Neuroimmunology and Behavior Group, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Advanced Pain Studies (CAPS), School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas, Dallas, USA
| | - Torri D Wilson
- Division of Intramural Research National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 35 Convent Drive, Building 35A / Room 1E-410, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - P A Ferchmin
- Department of Neuroscience, Universidad Central Del Caribe School of Medicine, Bayamon, Puerto Rico, USA
| | - Vesna Eterovic
- Department of Neuroscience, Universidad Central Del Caribe School of Medicine, Bayamon, Puerto Rico, USA
| | - Michael D Burton
- Neuroimmunology and Behavior Group, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Advanced Pain Studies (CAPS), School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas, Dallas, USA
| | - Yarimar Carrasquillo
- Division of Intramural Research National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 35 Convent Drive, Building 35A / Room 1E-410, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
- National Institute On Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 35 Convent Drive, Building 35A / Room 1E-410, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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2
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Sullere S, Kunczt A, McGehee DS. A cholinergic circuit that relieves pain despite opioid tolerance. Neuron 2023; 111:3414-3434.e15. [PMID: 37734381 PMCID: PMC10843525 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.08.017] [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: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Chronic pain is a tremendous burden for afflicted individuals and society. Although opioids effectively relieve pain, significant adverse outcomes limit their utility and efficacy. To investigate alternate pain control mechanisms, we explored cholinergic signaling in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG), a critical nexus for descending pain modulation. Biosensor assays revealed that pain states decreased acetylcholine release in vlPAG. Activation of cholinergic projections from the pedunculopontine tegmentum to vlPAG relieved pain, even in opioid-tolerant conditions, through ⍺7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Activating ⍺7 nAChRs with agonists or stimulating endogenous acetylcholine inhibited vlPAG neuronal activity through Ca2+ and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPAR⍺)-dependent signaling. In vivo 2-photon imaging revealed that chronic pain induces aberrant excitability of vlPAG neuronal ensembles and that ⍺7 nAChR-mediated inhibition of these cells relieves pain, even after opioid tolerance. Finally, pain relief through these cholinergic mechanisms was not associated with tolerance, reward, or withdrawal symptoms, highlighting its potential clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivang Sullere
- Committee on Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Alissa Kunczt
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Daniel S McGehee
- Committee on Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
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Montigné E, Balayssac D. Exploring Cholinergic Compounds for Peripheral Neuropathic Pain Management: A Comprehensive Scoping Review of Rodent Model Studies. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1363. [PMID: 37895835 PMCID: PMC10609809 DOI: 10.3390/ph16101363] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain affects about 7-8% of the population, and its management still poses challenges with unmet needs. Over the past decades, researchers have explored the cholinergic system (muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: mAChR and nAChR) and compounds targeting these receptors as potential analgesics for neuropathic pain management. This scoping review aims to provide an overview of studies on peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP) in rodent models, exploring compounds targeting cholinergic neurotransmission. The inclusion criteria were original articles on PNP in rodent models that explored the use of compounds directly targeting cholinergic neurotransmission and reported results of nociceptive behavioral assays. The literature search was performed in the PubMed and Web of Science databases (1 January 2000-22 April 2023). The selection process yielded 82 publications, encompassing 62 compounds. The most studied compounds were agonists of α4β2 nAChR and α7 nAChR, and antagonists of α9/α10 nAChR, along with those increasing acetylcholine and targeting mAChRs. Studies mainly reported antinociceptive effects in traumatic PNP models, and to a lesser extent, chemotherapy-induced neuropathy or diabetic models. These preclinical studies underscore the considerable potential of cholinergic compounds in the management of PNP, warranting the initiation of clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edouard Montigné
- INSERM, U1107, NEURO-DOL, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France;
| | - David Balayssac
- INSERM, U1107, NEURO-DOL, Université Clermont Auvergne, Direction de la Recherche Clinique et de l’Innovation, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
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Marmouzi I, Myers S, Buck DJ, Davis RL, Arias HR. α7 Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor potentiation downregulates chemotherapy-induced inflammatory overactivation by overlapping intracellular mechanisms. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2023; 158:106405. [PMID: 36966906 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2023.106405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
We studied, using a combination of animal and cellular models, the glial mechanisms underlying the anti-neuropathic and anti-inflammatory properties of PAM-2 [(E)-3-furan-2-yl-N-p-tolyl-acrylamide], a positive allosteric modulator of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). In mice, PAM-2 decreased the inflammatory process induced by the combination of oxaliplatin (OXA), a chemotherapeutic agent, and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), a pro-inflammatory molecule. In the brain and spinal cord of treated animals, PAM-2 reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines by mechanisms involving mRNA downregulation of factors in the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway, and increased the precursor of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (proBDNF). To determine the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory activity of PAM-2, both human C20 microglia and normal human astrocytes (NHA) were used. The results showed that PAM-2-induced potentiation of glial α7 nAChRs decreases OXA/IL-1β-induced overexpression of inflammatory molecules by different mechanisms, including mRNA downregulation of factors in the NF-κB pathway (in microglia and astrocyte) and ERK (only in microglia). The OXA/IL-1β-mediated reduction in proBDNF was prevented by PAM-2 in microglia, but not in astrocytes. Our findings also indicate that OXA/IL-1β-induced organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1) expression is decreased by PAM-2, suggesting that decreased OXA influx may be involved in the protective effects of PAM-2. The α7-selective antagonist methyllycaconitine blocked the most important effects mediated by PAM-2 at both animal and cellular levels, supporting a mechanism involving α7 nAChRs. In conclusion, glial α7 nAChR stimulation/potentiation downregulates neuroinflammatory targets, and thereby remains a promising therapeutic option for cancer chemotherapy-induced neuroinflammation and neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilias Marmouzi
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Stephanie Myers
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Daniel J Buck
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Randall L Davis
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA.
| | - Hugo R Arias
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine at Cherokee Nation, Tahlequah, OK, USA
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Zhou YQ, Liu DQ, Liu C, Xu AJ, Tian YK, Mei W, Tian XB. Targeting α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors for chronic pain. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:970040. [PMID: 36245927 PMCID: PMC9561890 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.970040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite rapid advances in the field of chronic pain, it remains extremely challenging in the clinic. Pain treatment strategies have not improved for decades as opioids remain the main prescribed drugs for chronic pain management. However, long-term use of opioids often leads to detrimental side effects. Therefore, uncovering the mechanisms underlying the development and maintenance of chronic pain may aid the discovery of novel therapeutics to benefit patients with chronic pain. Substantial evidence indicates downregulation of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7 nAChR) in the sciatic nerve, dorsal root ganglia, and spinal cord dorsal horn in rodent models of chronic pain. Moreover, our recent study and results from other laboratories demonstrate that potentiation of α7 nAChR attenuates pain behaviors in various murine models of chronic pain. This review summarized and discussed the preclinical evidence demonstrating the therapeutic potential of α7 nAChR agonists and allosteric modulators in chronic pain. This evidence indicates that potentiation of α7 nAChR is beneficial in chronic pain, mostly by alleviating neuroinflammation. Overall, α7 nAChR-based therapy for chronic pain is an area with great promise, but more research regarding its detailed mechanisms is warranted.
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6
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Sykes DL, Zhang M, Morice AH. Treatment of chronic cough: P2X3 receptor antagonists and beyond. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 237:108166. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Yang JM, Yang XY, Wan JH. Multiple roles for cholinergic signaling in pancreatic diseases. World J Gastroenterol 2022; 28:2910-2919. [PMID: 35978870 PMCID: PMC9280742 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i25.2910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholinergic nerves are widely distributed throughout the human body and participate in various physiological activities, including sensory, motor, and visceral activities, through cholinergic signaling. Cholinergic signaling plays an important role in pancreatic exocrine secretion. A large number of studies have found that cholinergic signaling overstimulates pancreatic acinar cells through muscarinic receptors, participates in the onset of pancreatic diseases such as acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis, and can also inhibit the progression of pancreatic cancer. However, cholinergic signaling plays a role in reducing pain and inflammation through nicotinic receptors, but enhances the proliferation and invasion of pancreatic tumor cells. This review focuses on the progression of cholinergic signaling and pancreatic diseases in recent years and reveals the role of cholinergic signaling in pancreatic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Min Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Jian-Hua Wan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
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8
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Richter K, Papke RL, Stokes C, Roy DC, Espinosa ES, Wolf PMK, Hecker A, Liese J, Singh VK, Padberg W, Schlüter KD, Rohde M, McIntosh JM, Morley BJ, Horenstein NA, Grau V, Simard AR. Comparison of the Anti-inflammatory Properties of Two Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Ligands, Phosphocholine and pCF3-diEPP. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:779081. [PMID: 35431807 PMCID: PMC9008208 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.779081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) expressed by innate immune cells can attenuate pro-inflammatory responses. Silent nAChR agonists, which down-modulate inflammation but have little or no ionotropic activity, are of outstanding clinical interest for the prevention and therapy of numerous inflammatory diseases. Here, we compare two silent nAChR agonists, phosphocholine, which is known to interact with nAChR subunits α7, α9, and α10, and pCF3-N,N-diethyl-N′-phenyl-piperazine (pCF3-diEPP), a previously identified α7 nAChR silent agonist, regarding their anti-inflammatory properties and their effects on ionotropic nAChR functions. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced release of interleukin (IL)-6 by primary murine macrophages was inhibited by pCF3-diEPP, while phosphocholine was ineffective presumably because of instability. In human whole blood cultures pCF3-diEPP inhibited the LPS-induced secretion of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β. The ATP-mediated release of IL-1β by LPS-primed human peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes, monocytic THP-1 cells and THP-1-derived M1-like macrophages was reduced by both phosphocholine and femtomolar concentrations of pCF3-diEPP. These effects were sensitive to mecamylamine and to conopeptides RgIA4 and [V11L; V16D]ArIB, suggesting the involvement of nAChR subunits α7, α9 and/or α10. In two-electrode voltage-clamp measurements pCF3-diEPP functioned as a partial agonist and a strong desensitizer of classical human α9 and α9α10 nAChRs. Interestingly, pCF3-diEPP was more effective as an ionotropic agonist at these nAChRs than at α7 nAChR. In conclusion, phosphocholine and pCF3-diEPP are potent agonists at unconventional nAChRs expressed by monocytic and macrophage-like cells. pCF3-diEPP inhibits the LPS-induced release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, while phosphocholine is ineffective. However, both agonists signal via nAChR subunits α7, α9 and/or α10 to efficiently down-modulate the ATP-induced release of IL-1β. Compared to phosphocholine, pCF3-diEPP is expected to have better pharmacological properties. Thus, low concentrations of pCF3-diEPP may be a therapeutic option for the treatment of inflammatory diseases including trauma-induced sterile inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Richter
- Department of General and Thoracic Surgery, Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, Justus-Liebig-University, German Center for Lung Research, Giessen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Katrin Richter,
| | - Roger L. Papke
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Clare Stokes
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Danika C. Roy
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada
| | | | - Philipp M. K. Wolf
- Department of General and Thoracic Surgery, Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, Justus-Liebig-University, German Center for Lung Research, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Hecker
- Department of General and Thoracic Surgery, Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, Justus-Liebig-University, German Center for Lung Research, Giessen, Germany
| | - Juliane Liese
- Department of General and Thoracic Surgery, Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, Justus-Liebig-University, German Center for Lung Research, Giessen, Germany
| | - Vijay K. Singh
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Winfried Padberg
- Department of General and Thoracic Surgery, Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, Justus-Liebig-University, German Center for Lung Research, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Marius Rohde
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - J. Michael McIntosh
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- George E. Wahlen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Barbara J. Morley
- Center for Sensory Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
| | | | - Veronika Grau
- Department of General and Thoracic Surgery, Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, Justus-Liebig-University, German Center for Lung Research, Giessen, Germany
| | - Alain R. Simard
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada
- Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, ON, Canada
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Canning BJ, Liu Q, Tao M, DeVita R, Perelman M, Hay DW, Dicpinigaitis PV, Liang J. Evidence for Alpha 7 Nicotinic Receptor Activation During the Cough Suppressing Effects Induced by Nicotine and Identification of ATA-101 as a Potential Novel Therapy for the Treatment of Chronic Cough. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2022; 380:94-103. [PMID: 34782407 PMCID: PMC8969114 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.121.000641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies performed in healthy smokers have documented a diminished responsiveness to tussive challenges, and several lines of experimental evidence implicate nicotine as an antitussive component in both cigarette smoke and the vapors generated by electronic cigarettes (eCigs). We set out to identify the nicotinic receptor subtype involved in the antitussive actions of nicotine and to further evaluate the potential of nicotinic receptor-selective agonists as cough-suppressing therapeutics. We confirmed an antitussive effect of nicotine in guinea pigs. We additionally observed that the alpha-4 beta-2 (α 4 β 2)-selective agonist Tc-6683 was without effect on evoked cough responses in guinea pigs, while the α 7-selective agonist PHA 543613 dose-dependently inhibited evoked coughing. We subsequently describe the preclinical evidence in support of ATA-101, a potent and highly selective (α 7) selective nicotinic receptor agonist, as a potential candidate for antitussive therapy in humans. ATA-101, formerly known as Tc-5619, was orally bioavailable and moderately central nervous system (CNS) penetrant and dose-dependently inhibited coughing in guinea pigs evoked by citric acid and bradykinin. Comparing the effects of airway targeted administration versus systemic dosing and the effects of repeated dosing at various times prior to tussive challenge, our data suggest that the antitussive actions of ATA-101 require continued engagement of α 7 nicotinic receptors, likely in the CNS. Collectively, the data provide the preclinical rationale for α 7 nicotinic receptor engagement as a novel therapeutic strategy for cough suppression. The data also suggest that α 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) activation by nicotine may be permissive to nicotine delivery in a way that may promote addiction. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study documents the antitussive actions of nicotine and identifies the α7 nicotinic receptor subtype as the target for nicotine during cough suppression described in humans. We additionally present evidence suggesting that ATA-101 and other α7 nicotinic receptor-selective agonists may be promising candidates for the treatment of chronic refractory cough.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan J Canning
- The Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center, Baltimore, Maryland (B.J.C, Q.L.); Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan (M.T.); RJD Medicinal Chemistry Consulting LLC, Westfield, New Jersey (R.D.); Michael Perelman Consulting, Winter Park, Florida (M.P.); Hay Drug Discovery Consulting, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania (D.W.H.); Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York (P.V.D.); Apple Helix Bioventures, New York, New York (J.L.)
| | - Qi Liu
- The Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center, Baltimore, Maryland (B.J.C, Q.L.); Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan (M.T.); RJD Medicinal Chemistry Consulting LLC, Westfield, New Jersey (R.D.); Michael Perelman Consulting, Winter Park, Florida (M.P.); Hay Drug Discovery Consulting, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania (D.W.H.); Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York (P.V.D.); Apple Helix Bioventures, New York, New York (J.L.)
| | - Mayuko Tao
- The Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center, Baltimore, Maryland (B.J.C, Q.L.); Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan (M.T.); RJD Medicinal Chemistry Consulting LLC, Westfield, New Jersey (R.D.); Michael Perelman Consulting, Winter Park, Florida (M.P.); Hay Drug Discovery Consulting, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania (D.W.H.); Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York (P.V.D.); Apple Helix Bioventures, New York, New York (J.L.)
| | - Robert DeVita
- The Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center, Baltimore, Maryland (B.J.C, Q.L.); Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan (M.T.); RJD Medicinal Chemistry Consulting LLC, Westfield, New Jersey (R.D.); Michael Perelman Consulting, Winter Park, Florida (M.P.); Hay Drug Discovery Consulting, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania (D.W.H.); Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York (P.V.D.); Apple Helix Bioventures, New York, New York (J.L.)
| | - Michael Perelman
- The Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center, Baltimore, Maryland (B.J.C, Q.L.); Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan (M.T.); RJD Medicinal Chemistry Consulting LLC, Westfield, New Jersey (R.D.); Michael Perelman Consulting, Winter Park, Florida (M.P.); Hay Drug Discovery Consulting, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania (D.W.H.); Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York (P.V.D.); Apple Helix Bioventures, New York, New York (J.L.)
| | - Douglas W Hay
- The Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center, Baltimore, Maryland (B.J.C, Q.L.); Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan (M.T.); RJD Medicinal Chemistry Consulting LLC, Westfield, New Jersey (R.D.); Michael Perelman Consulting, Winter Park, Florida (M.P.); Hay Drug Discovery Consulting, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania (D.W.H.); Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York (P.V.D.); Apple Helix Bioventures, New York, New York (J.L.)
| | - Peter V Dicpinigaitis
- The Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center, Baltimore, Maryland (B.J.C, Q.L.); Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan (M.T.); RJD Medicinal Chemistry Consulting LLC, Westfield, New Jersey (R.D.); Michael Perelman Consulting, Winter Park, Florida (M.P.); Hay Drug Discovery Consulting, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania (D.W.H.); Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York (P.V.D.); Apple Helix Bioventures, New York, New York (J.L.)
| | - Jing Liang
- The Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center, Baltimore, Maryland (B.J.C, Q.L.); Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan (M.T.); RJD Medicinal Chemistry Consulting LLC, Westfield, New Jersey (R.D.); Michael Perelman Consulting, Winter Park, Florida (M.P.); Hay Drug Discovery Consulting, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania (D.W.H.); Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York (P.V.D.); Apple Helix Bioventures, New York, New York (J.L.)
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10
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Bagdas D, Sevdar G, Gul Z, Younis R, Cavun S, Tae HS, Ortells MO, Arias HR, Gurun MS. (E)-3-furan-2-yl-N-phenylacrylamide (PAM-4) decreases nociception and emotional manifestations of neuropathic pain in mice by α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor potentiation. Neurol Res 2021; 43:1056-1068. [PMID: 34281483 DOI: 10.1080/01616412.2021.1949684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Clinical intervention of pain is often accompanied by changes in affective behaviors, so both assays of affective and sensorial aspects of nociception play an important role in the development of novel analgesics. Although positive allosteric modulation (PAM) of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) has been recognized as a novel approach for the relief of sensorial aspects of pain, their effects on affective components of pain remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated whether PAM-4, a highly selective α7-nAChR PAM, attenuates inflammatory and neuropathic pain, as well as the concomitant depressive/anxiety comorbidities. The anti-nociceptive activity of PAM-4 was assessed in mice using the formalin test and chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced neuropathic pain model. The anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like activity of PAM-4 was evaluated using the marble burying test and forced swimming test. Acute systemic administration of PAM-4 dose-dependently reversed formalin-induced paw licking behavior and CCI-induced mechanical allodynia without development of any motor impairment. PAM-4 reversed the decreased swimming time and number of buried marbles in CCI-treated mice, suggesting that this ligand attenuates chronic pain-induced depression-like behavior and anxiogenic-like effects. The effects of PAM-4 were inhibited by the α7-selective antagonist methyllycaconitine, indicating molecular mechanism mediated by α7-nAChRs. Indeed, electrophysiological recordings showed the PAM-4 enhances human α7 nAChRs with higher potency and efficacy compared to rat α7 nAChRs. These findings suggest that PAM-4 reduces both sensorial and affective behaviors induced by chronic pain in mice by α7-nAChR potentiation. PAM-4 deserves further investigations for the management of chronic painful conditions with comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deniz Bagdas
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, USA
| | - Gulce Sevdar
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Zulfiye Gul
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Bahcesehir University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Rabha Younis
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Sinan Cavun
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Han-Shen Tae
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Marcelo O Ortells
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Morón, Morón, and CONICET, Moron, Argentina
| | - Hugo R Arias
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Tahlequah, OK, USA
| | - Mine Sibel Gurun
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey
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11
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Li Z, Han X, Hong X, Li X, Gao J, Zhang H, Zheng A. Lyophilization Serves as an Effective Strategy for Drug Development of the α9α10 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Antagonist α-Conotoxin GeXIVA[1,2]. Mar Drugs 2021; 19:md19030121. [PMID: 33668830 PMCID: PMC7996264 DOI: 10.3390/md19030121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Conotoxin GeXIVA[1,2] is a highly potent and selective antagonist of the α9α10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtype. It has the advantages of strong efficacy, no tolerance, and no effect on motor function, which has been expected help patients with neuropathic pain. However, drug development for clinical use is severely limited owing to its instability. Lyophilization is applied as the most preferred method to solve this problem. The prepared lyophilized powder is characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray diffractometry (PXRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Molecular simulation is also used to explore the internal distribution and forces formed in the system. The analgesic effect on paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain following single and 14-day repeated administrations are evaluated by the von Frey test and the tail-flick test. Trehalose combined with mannitol in a ratio of 1:1 is employed as the excipients in the determined formulation, where trehalose acts as the stabilizer and mannitol acts as the bulking agent, according to the results of DSC, PXRD, and FTIR. Both GeXIVA[1,2] (API) and GeXIVA[1,2] lyophilized powder (formulation) could produce stable analgesic effect. These results indicated that GeXIVA[1,2] lyophilized powder could improve the stability and provide an effective strategy to push it into clinical use as a new analgesic drug.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Aiping Zheng
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-010-66931694 or +86-13520467936
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12
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Gaidhani N, Tucci FC, Kem WR, Beaton G, Uteshev VV. Therapeutic efficacy of α7 ligands after acute ischaemic stroke is linked to conductive states of α7 nicotinic ACh receptors. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 178:1684-1704. [PMID: 33496352 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Targeting α7 nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs) in neuroinflammatory disorders including acute ischaemic stroke holds significant therapeutic promise. However, therapeutically relevant signalling mechanisms remain unidentified. Activation of neuronal α7 nAChRs triggers ionotropic signalling, but there is limited evidence for it in immunoglial tissues. The α7 ligands which are effective in reducing acute ischaemic stroke damage promote α7 ionotropic activity, suggesting a link between their therapeutic effects for treating acute ischaemic stroke and activation of α7 conductive states. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH This hypothesis was tested using a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of acute ischaemic stroke, NS6740, a known selective non-ionotropic agonist of α7 nAChRs and 4OH-GTS-21, a partial α7 agonist. NS6740-like ligands exhibiting low efficacy/potency for ionotropic activity will be referred to as non-ionotropic agonists or "metagonists". KEY RESULTS 4OH-GTS-21, used as a positive control, significantly reduced neurological deficits and brain injury after MCAO as compared to vehicle and NS6740. By contrast, NS6740 was ineffective in identical assays and reversed the effects of 4OH-GTS-21 when these compounds were co-applied. Electrophysiological recordings from acute hippocampal slices obtained from NS6740-injected animals demonstrated its remarkable brain availability and protracted effects on α7 nAChRs as evidenced by sustained (>8 h) alterations in α7 ionotropic responsiveness. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS These results suggest that α7 ionotropic activity may be obligatory for therapeutic efficacy of α7 ligands after acute ischaemic stroke yet, highlight the potential for selective application of α7 ligands to disease states based on their mode of receptor activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Gaidhani
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
| | - Fabio C Tucci
- Epigen Biosciences, Inc., San Diego, California, USA
| | - William R Kem
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Graham Beaton
- Epigen Biosciences, Inc., San Diego, California, USA
| | - Victor V Uteshev
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
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13
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Malik Z, Abbas M, Al Kury LT, Shah FA, Alam M, Khan AU, Nadeem H, Alghamdi S, Sahibzada MUK, Li S. Thiazolidine Derivatives Attenuate Carrageenan-Induced Inflammatory Pain in Mice. Drug Des Devel Ther 2021; 15:369-384. [PMID: 33574656 PMCID: PMC7871178 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s281559] [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: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Peripheral inflammation leads to the development of persistent thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia associated with increased expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the spinal cord. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of thiazolidine derivatives, 1b ([2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3-thiazolidin-4-yl](morpholin-4-yl)methanone) and 1d (2-hydroxy-4-{[2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3-thiazolidine-4-carbonyl]amino}benzoic acid), on thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical allodynia and on IL-1β expression during carrageenan-induced inflammation in the spinal cord in mice. Inflammatory pain was induced by injecting 1% carrageenan into the right hind paw of the mice. METHODS The animals were administered thiazolidine derivatives, 1b and 1d (1 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, or 10 mg/kg), intraperitoneally 30 minutes before carrageenan administration. The animals' behavior was evaluated by measuring thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical allodynia, and motor coordination. The IL-1β expression was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Acute and sub-acute toxicity studies were conducted to evaluate the toxicity profile of compounds. RESULTS Treatment with the thiazolidine derivative, 1b and 1d, attenuated carrageenan-induced thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia at doses of 1 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, and 10 mg/kg. No motor coordination deficits were observed in animals. The compounds also reduced IL-1β expression in the spinal cord of mice. Acute and sub-acute toxicity studies revealed that both compounds were safe. CONCLUSION The compounds exhibit promising activity against inflammatory pain due to their ability to produce anti-hyperalgesic and anti-allodynic effects and to inhibit IL-1β expression in the spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zulkifal Malik
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Capital University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muzaffar Abbas
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Capital University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Lina Tariq Al Kury
- College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fawad Ali Shah
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Mahboob Alam
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Capital University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Arif-ullah Khan
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Humaira Nadeem
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Saad Alghamdi
- Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Shupeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China
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Abbas M, Alzarea S, Papke RL, Rahman S. Effects of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Positive Allosteric Modulator on BDNF, NKCC1 and KCC2 Expression in the Hippocampus following Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Allodynia and Hyperalgesia in a Mouse Model of Inflammatory Pain. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS 2021; 20:366-377. [PMID: 33380307 DOI: 10.2174/1871527319666201230102616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES Hyperalgesia and allodynia are frequent symptoms of inflammatory pain. Neuronal excitability induced by the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)-tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) cascade has a role in the modulation of inflammatory pain. The effects of 3a,4,5,9b-tetrahydro-4-(1-naphthalenyl)-3H-cyclopentan[c]quinoline-8-sulfonamide (TQS), an α7 nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Positive Allosteric Modulator (nAChR PAM), on hippocampal BDNF, cation-chloride cotransporters, NKCC1 and KCC2, expression in inflammatory pain are not known. The objective of the study was to determine the effects of TQS on BDNF, NKCC1, and KCC2 expression in the hippocampus following lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced allodynia and hyperalgesia in a mouse model of inflammatory pain. METHODS Mice were treated with TQS followed by LPS (1 mg/kg, ip) administration. The effects of TQS on mRNA and BDNF in the hippocampus were examined using qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. Immunoreactivity of BDNF, NKCC1, and KCC2 in the hippocampus was measured after LPS administration using immunofluorescence assay. Allodynia and hyperalgesia were determined using von Frey filaments and hot plate, respectively. RESULTS The LPS (1 mg/kg) upregulates mRNA of BDNF and downregulates mRNA of KCC2 in the hippocampus and pretreatment of TQS (4 mg/kg) reversed the effects induced by LPS. In addition, the TQS decreased LPS-induced upregulation of BDNF and p-NKCC1 immunoreactivity in the dentate gyrus and CA1 region of the hippocampus. BDNF receptor (TrkB) antagonist, ANA12 (0.50 mg/kg), and NKCC1 inhibitor bumetanide (30 mg/kg) reduced LPS-induced allodynia and hyperalgesia. Blockade of TrkB with ANA12 (0.25 mg/kg) enhanced the effects of TQS (1 mg/kg) against LPS-induced allodynia and hyperalgesia. Similarly, bumetanide (10 mg/kg) enhanced the effects of TQS (1 mg/kg) against allodynia and hyperalgesia. CONCLUSION These results suggest that antinociceptive effects of α7 nAChR PAM are associated with downregulation of hippocampal BDNF and p-NKCC1 and upregulation of KCC2 in a mouse model of inflammatory pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muzaffar Abbas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, South Dakota State University, Brookings SD 57007, United States
| | - Sami Alzarea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, South Dakota State University, Brookings SD 57007, United States
| | - Roger L Papke
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32610, United States
| | - Shafiqur Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, South Dakota State University, Brookings SD 57007, United States
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15
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Zhang Y, Sevilla A, Weller R, Wang S, Gitlin MC, Candiotti KA. The role of α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in a rat model of chronic nicotine-induced mechanical hypersensitivity. Neurosci Lett 2020; 743:135566. [PMID: 33352289 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Smokers have a higher incidence of chronic pain than non-smokers, but the neural mechanism is not yet fully understood. Nicotine is the main component of tobacco and acts as an agonist for nicotinic cholinergic receptors (nAChRs) in the nervous system. This study was approved by the IACUC of UM. The effects of chronic nicotine administration on mechanical sensitivity were studied using a rat model. The changes in the expression levels of the α7 isoform of nAChR (α7-nAChR), inflammatory cytokines TNFα and COX-2, as well as the density of neuro-immune cells (astrocytes and microglia) were measured concurrently. The results indicate that long-term nicotine administration induces hypersensitivity to mechanical stimuli, as demonstrated by a significant reduction in the pain perception threshold. In response to nicotine, the expression levels of α7-nAChR increased in the periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) and decreased in the spinal cord. Acute administration of the selective α7-nAChR agonist CDP-Choline reversed this hypersensitivity. Chronic nicotine administration led to an increase of microglial cells in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord and increased expression levels of the cytokines TNFα and COX-2. This study suggests that decreased α7-nAChR expression in the spinal cord, as a result of long-term exposure to nicotine, may be causatively linked to chronic pain. Simultaneously, the increase of neuro-immune factors in the spinal cord is also a potential factor leading to chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanping Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, USA.
| | - Alec Sevilla
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, USA
| | - Robert Weller
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, USA
| | - Shuju Wang
- Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Melvin C Gitlin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, USA
| | - Keith A Candiotti
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, USA.
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Gallo M, Street ME, Guerra F, Fanos V, Marcialis MA. A review of current knowledge on Pollution, Cigarette Smoking and COVID-19 diffusion and their relationship with inflammation. ACTA BIO-MEDICA : ATENEI PARMENSIS 2020; 91:e2020148. [PMID: 33525222 PMCID: PMC7927491 DOI: 10.23750/abm.v91i4.10263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the newly discovered coronavirus, Sars-Cov-2. This infection can cause mild to very severe respiratory and systemic illness mainly related with a cytokine storm. The epidemiology of COVID-19 is under continuous evolution, and studies are ongoing aiming at identifying the possible factors facilitating the diffusion of this infection. (www.actabiomedica.it)
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Gallo
- School of Pediatrics, University of Cagliari, Italy.
| | | | | | - Vassilios Fanos
- Department of Surgery, University of Cagliari, Italy; Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, AOU Cagliari, Italy.
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17
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Miller DR, Khoshbouei H, Garai S, Cantwell LN, Stokes C, Thakur G, Papke RL. Allosterically Potentiated α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors: Reduced Calcium Permeability and Current-Independent Control of Intracellular Calcium. Mol Pharmacol 2020; 98:695-709. [PMID: 33020143 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.120.000012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The currents of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors activated by acetylcholine (ACh) are brief. The channel has high permeability to calcium relative to monovalent cations and shows inward rectification. It has been previously noted that in the presence of positive allosteric modulators (PAMs), currents through the channels of α7 receptors differ from normal α7 currents both in sensitivity to specific channel blockers and their current-voltage (I-V) relationships, no longer showing inward rectification. Linear I-V functions are often associated with channels lacking calcium permeability, so we measured the I-V functions of α7 receptors activated by ACh when PAMs were bound to the allosteric binding site in the transmembrane domain. Currents were recorded in chloride-free Ringer's solution with low or high concentrations of extracellular calcium to determine the magnitude of the reversal potential shift in the two conditions as well as the I-V relationships. ACh-evoked currents potentiated by the allosteric agonist-PAMs (ago-PAMs) (3aR,4S,9bS)-4-(4-bromophenyl)-3a,4,5,9b-tetrahydro-3H-cyclopenta[c]quinoline-8-sulfonamide (GAT107) and 3-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-N-(1-(6-(4-(pyridin-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl)pyrazin-2-yl)ethyl)propenamide (B-973B) showed reduced inward rectification and calcium-dependent reversal potential shifts decreased by 80%, and 50%, respectively, compared with currents activated by ACh alone, indicative of reduced calcium permeability. Currents potentiated by 3a,4,5,9b-tetrahydro-4-(1-naphthalenyl)-3H-cyclopentan[c]quinoline-8-sulfonamide were also linear and showed no calcium-dependent reversal potential shifts. The ago-PAMs GAT-107 and B-973B stimulated increases in intracellular calcium in stably transfected HEK293 cells. However, these calcium signals were delayed relative to channel activation produced by these agents and were insensitive to the channel blocker mecamylamine. Our results indicate that, although allosterically activated α7 nicotinic ACh receptor may affect intracellular calcium levels, such effects are not likely due to large channel-dependent calcium influx. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor can increase channel activation by two or more orders of magnitude, raising the concern that, due to the relatively high calcium permeability of α7 receptors activated by acetylcholine alone, such efficacious PAMs may have cytotoxic side effects. We show that PAMs alter the ion conduction pathway and, in general, reduce the calcium permeability of the channels. This supports the hypothesis that α7 effects on intracellular calcium may be independent of channel-mediated calcium influx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas R Miller
- Departments of Neuroscience (D.R.M., H.K.) and Pharmacology and Therapeutics (C.S., R.L.P.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (S.G., L.N.C., G.T.)
| | - Habibeh Khoshbouei
- Departments of Neuroscience (D.R.M., H.K.) and Pharmacology and Therapeutics (C.S., R.L.P.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (S.G., L.N.C., G.T.)
| | - Sumanta Garai
- Departments of Neuroscience (D.R.M., H.K.) and Pharmacology and Therapeutics (C.S., R.L.P.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (S.G., L.N.C., G.T.)
| | - Lucas N Cantwell
- Departments of Neuroscience (D.R.M., H.K.) and Pharmacology and Therapeutics (C.S., R.L.P.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (S.G., L.N.C., G.T.)
| | - Clare Stokes
- Departments of Neuroscience (D.R.M., H.K.) and Pharmacology and Therapeutics (C.S., R.L.P.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (S.G., L.N.C., G.T.)
| | - Ganesh Thakur
- Departments of Neuroscience (D.R.M., H.K.) and Pharmacology and Therapeutics (C.S., R.L.P.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (S.G., L.N.C., G.T.)
| | - Roger L Papke
- Departments of Neuroscience (D.R.M., H.K.) and Pharmacology and Therapeutics (C.S., R.L.P.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (S.G., L.N.C., G.T.)
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El Nebrisi E, Javed H, Ojha SK, Oz M, Shehab S. Neuroprotective Effect of Curcumin on the Nigrostriatal Pathway in a 6-Hydroxydopmine-Induced Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease is Mediated by α7-Nicotinic Receptors. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197329. [PMID: 33023066 PMCID: PMC7583812 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by selective degeneration of dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons. Most of the existing pharmacological approaches in PD consider replenishing striatal dopamine. It has been reported that activation of the cholinergic system has neuroprotective effects on dopaminergic neurons, and human α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR) stimulation may offer a potential therapeutic approach in PD. Our recent in-vitro studies demonstrated that curcumin causes significant potentiation of the function of α7-nAChRs expressed in Xenopus oocytes. In this study, we conducted in vivo experiments to assess the role of the α7-nAChR on the protective effects of curcumin in an animal model of PD. Intra-striatal injection of 6-hydroxydopmine (6-OHDA) was used to induce Parkinsonism in rats. Our results demonstrated that intragastric curcumin treatment (200 mg/kg) significantly improved the abnormal motor behavior and offered neuroprotection against the reduction of dopaminergic neurons, as determined by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity in the substantia nigra and caudoputamen. The intraperitoneal administration of the α7-nAChR-selective antagonist methyllycaconitine (1 µg/kg) reversed the neuroprotective effects of curcumin in terms of both animal behavior and TH immunoreactivity. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that curcumin has a neuroprotective effect in a 6-hydroxydopmine (6-OHDA) rat model of PD via an α7-nAChR-mediated mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eslam El Nebrisi
- Department of Pharmacology, Dubai Medical College, Dubai Medical University, Dubai 20170, UAE;
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain PO BOX 17666, UAE;
| | - Hayate Javed
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain PO BOX 17666, UAE;
| | - Shreesh K Ojha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain PO BOX 17666, UAE; (S.K.O.); (M.O.)
| | - Murat Oz
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain PO BOX 17666, UAE; (S.K.O.); (M.O.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, Kuwait 24923, Kuwait
| | - Safa Shehab
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain PO BOX 17666, UAE;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +971-3-7137492
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Allosterism of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors: Therapeutic Potential for Neuroinflammation Underlying Brain Trauma and Degenerative Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21144918. [PMID: 32664647 PMCID: PMC7404387 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21144918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is a key physiological phenomenon that can be pervasive when dysregulated. Persistent chronic inflammation precedes several pathophysiological conditions forming one of the critical cellular homeostatic checkpoints. With a steady global surge in inflammatory diseases, it is imperative to delineate underlying mechanisms and design suitable drug molecules targeting the cellular partners that mediate and regulate inflammation. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors have a confirmed role in influencing inflammatory pathways and have been a subject of scientific scrutiny underlying drug development in recent years. Drugs designed to target allosteric sites on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors present a unique opportunity to unravel the role of the cholinergic system in regulating and restoring inflammatory homeostasis. Such a therapeutic approach holds promise in treating several inflammatory conditions and diseases with inflammation as an underlying pathology. Here, we briefly describe the potential of cholinergic allosterism and some allosteric modulators as a promising therapeutic option for the treatment of neuroinflammation.
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Dong C, Kern NR, Anderson KR, Zhang XF, Miwa JM, Im W. Dynamics and Interactions of GPI-Linked lynx1 Protein with/without Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor in Membrane Bilayers. J Phys Chem B 2020; 124:4017-4025. [PMID: 32208709 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c00159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) participate in diverse biological processes, such as mood, learning, and addiction. Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked lynx1 is an allosteric modulator of nAChR function, including shifts in agonist sensitivity, reduced desensitization, and slower recovery from desensitization. This modulation is thought to be achieved by lynx1's interaction with nAChR subunits, particularly at the α4:α4 interface. In this study, we used molecular modeling and simulation to study the structure, dynamics, and interactions of lynx1 when bound to nAChRs, as well as unbound, monomeric lynx1 in membranes. Though lynx1 structures are similar in both states, its dynamics is more restricted in the bound state than in the unbound one. When bound, interactions between lynx1 and nAChR are observed to be maintained throughout the simulations. Of particular note, lynx1 demonstrates prolonged interactions with the receptor C-loop in one of the nAChR α4 subunits, a region important for agonist binding and possibly the transition between open/closed states. During interactions with lynx1, an α4 C-loop tends to be restricted in either a closed or open state, whereas the C-loop state transitions are more evident when lynx1 is unbound. Interestingly, the conformational change of the C-loop is stochastic, suggesting that lynx1 can influence nAChR (critical for its multimodal action), for instance, by shifting its agonist sensitivity and recovery from desensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuqiao Dong
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Nathan R Kern
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Kristin R Anderson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - X Frank Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States.,Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Julie M Miwa
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Wonpil Im
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States.,Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States.,Department of Chemistry, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
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21
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Caporoso J, Moses M, Koper K, Tillman TS, Jiang L, Brandon N, Chen Q, Tang P, Xu Y. A Thermal Place Preference Test for Discovery of Neuropathic Pain Drugs. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:1006-1012. [PMID: 32191433 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Developing potent non-opioid pain medications is an integral part of the battle to conquer both chronic pain and the current opioid crisis. Although most screening approaches use in vitro surrogate targets, in vivo screening of analgesic candidates is a necessary preclinical step in drug discovery. Here, we report the design of a new automated behavioral testing apparatus based on the principle of a thermal place preference test (TPPT). This new design can detect, quantify, and differentiate behavioral responses to cold stimuli between sham and chronic constriction injury (CCI) rodents with up to 12 animals tested simultaneously. At an optimized temperature pair of 12.5 °C vs 30.0 °C (±0.5 °C), the TPPT design has captured the antinociceptive effects of morphine and pregabalin on CCI rats in individual 10 min tests. Moreover, it can differentiate analgesic effects by morphine or pregabalin from anxiolytic effects by diazepam. The results, along with the relatively low cost to construct the apparatus and moderately high throughput, make our TPPT design applicable for behavioral studies of chronic pain in rodents and for high-throughput in vivo screening of the next generation of pain medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Caporoso
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Mark Moses
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Kerryann Koper
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Tommy S. Tillman
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Lingling Jiang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Nicole Brandon
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Qiang Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Pei Tang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
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22
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Olds JL, Kabbani N. Is nicotine exposure linked to cardiopulmonary vulnerability to COVID-19 in the general population? FEBS J 2020; 287:3651-3655. [PMID: 32189428 PMCID: PMC7228237 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The recent emergence of COVID‐19 has resulted in a worldwide crisis, with large populations locked down and transportation links severed. While approximately 80% of infected individuals have minimal symptoms, around 15–20% need to be hospitalized, greatly stressing global healthcare systems. As of March 10, the death rate appears to be about 3.4%, although this number is highly stratified among different populations. Here, we focus on those individuals who have been exposed to nicotine prior to their exposure to the virus. We predict that these individuals are ‘primed’ to be at higher risk because nicotine can directly impact the putative receptor for the virus (ACE2) and lead to deleterious signaling in lung epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- James L Olds
- SCHAR School of Public Policy, George Mason University, Arlington, VA, USA
| | - Nadine Kabbani
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
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23
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Toma W, Ulker E, Alqasem M, AlSharari SD, McIntosh JM, Damaj MI. Behavioral and Molecular Basis of Cholinergic Modulation of Pain: Focus on Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2020; 45:153-166. [PMID: 32468494 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2020_135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy for pain and inflammatory disorders. In particular, α4β2∗, α7, and α9α10 nAChR subtypes have been investigated as potential targets to treat pain. The nAChRs are distributed on the pain transmission pathways, including central and peripheral nervous systems and immune cells as well. Several agonists for α4β2∗ nAChR subtypes have been investigated in multiple animal pain models with promising results. However, studies in human indicated a narrow therapeutic window for α4β2∗ agonists. Furthermore, animal studies suggest that using agonists for α7 nAChR subtype and antagonists for α9α10 nAChR subtypes are potential novel therapies for chronic pain management, including inflammatory and neuropathic pain. More recently, alternative nAChRs ligands such as positive allosteric modulators and silent agonists have shown potential to develop into new treatments for chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wisam Toma
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Esad Ulker
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Mashael Alqasem
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shakir D AlSharari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - J Michael McIntosh
- Departments of Psychiatry and Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - M Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
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24
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RgIA4 Accelerates Recovery from Paclitaxel-Induced Neuropathic Pain in Rats. Mar Drugs 2019; 18:md18010012. [PMID: 31877728 PMCID: PMC7024385 DOI: 10.3390/md18010012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapeutic drugs are widely utilized in the treatment of human cancers. Painful chemotherapy-induced neuropathy is a common, debilitating, and dose-limiting side effect for which there is currently no effective treatment. Previous studies have demonstrated the potential utility of peptides from the marine snail from the genus Conus for the treatment of neuropathic pain. α-Conotoxin RgIA and a potent analog, RgIA4, have previously been shown to prevent the development of neuropathy resulting from the administration of oxaliplatin, a platinum-based antineoplastic drug. Here, we have examined its efficacy against paclitaxel, a chemotherapeutic drug that works by a mechanism of action distinct from that of oxaliplatin. Paclitaxel was administered at 2 mg/kg (intraperitoneally (IP)) every other day for a total of 8 mg/kg. Sprague Dawley rats that were co-administered RgIA4 at 80 µg/kg (subcutaneously (SC)) once daily, five times per week, for three weeks showed significant recovery from mechanical allodynia by day 31. Notably, the therapeutic effects reached significance 12 days after the last administration of RgIA4, which is suggestive of a rescue mechanism. These findings support the effects of RgIA4 in multiple chemotherapeutic models and the investigation of α9α10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) as a non-opioid target in the treatment of chronic pain.
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25
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Jackson A, Alkhlaif Y, Papke RL, Brunzell DH, Damaj MI. Impact of modulation of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor on nicotine reward in the mouse conditioned place preference test. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:3593-3599. [PMID: 31302720 PMCID: PMC6895411 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05331-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) has been implicated as a target in modulating nicotine reward. However, the effect of pharmacological agents that have been shown to alter the channel properties of the α7 nAChR is not well understood in nicotine reward. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the impact of α7 nAChR pharmacological modulation on nicotine conditioned place preference (CPP) in mice by using positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) and a silent agonist. METHODS The effect of the orthosteric α7 nAChR full agonist PNU282987 (1.3 and 9 mg/kg, s.c.), Type I α7 PAM NS1738 (1 and 10 mg/kg; i.p.), the Type II α7 PAM PNU120596 (0.3, 1, and 3 mg/kg, i.p.), and the α7 silent agonist NS6740 (1 and 3 mg/kg, i.p) on nicotine CPP was measured in mice. Mice were conditioned with either saline or nicotine (0.5 mg/kg) for 3 days in the CPP paradigm. RESULTS The α7 full orthosteric agonist PNU282987 and the Type II α7 nAChR PAM PNU120596 reduced nicotine CPP, while the silent agonist NS6740 and Type I PAM NS1738 had no effect. The effects of PNU282987 and PNU120596 did not have an effect on morphine CPP. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our results suggest that modulation of the α7 nAChR can play important roles in nicotine CPP in mice. In addition, the Type II α7 nAChR PAM PNU120596 attenuated nicotine reward suggesting that endogenous acetylcholine/choline tone is sufficient to reduce nicotine CPP. These findings highlight a beneficial effect of using α7 nAChR PAMs in nicotine reward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asti Jackson
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, 34 Park St., New Haven, CT, 06519, USA.
| | - Y. Alkhlaif
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - R. L. Papke
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, PO Box 100267, Gainesville, FL 32610-0267, USA
| | - D. H. Brunzell
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - M. I. Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
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26
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Toma W, Kyte SL, Bagdas D, Jackson A, Meade JA, Rahman F, Chen ZJ, Del Fabbro E, Cantwell L, Kulkarni A, Thakur GA, Papke RL, Bigbee JW, Gewirtz DA, Damaj MI. The α7 nicotinic receptor silent agonist R-47 prevents and reverses paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy in mice without tolerance or altering nicotine reward and withdrawal. Exp Neurol 2019; 320:113010. [PMID: 31299179 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2019.113010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Various antitumor drugs, including paclitaxel, frequently cause chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) that can be sustained even after therapy has been completed. The current work was designed to evaluate R-47, an α7 nAChR silent agonist, in our mouse model of CIPN. R-47 was administered to male C57BL/6J mice prior to and during paclitaxel treatment. Additionally, we tested if R-47 would alter nicotine's reward and withdrawal effects. The H460 and A549 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines were exposed to R-47 for 24-72 h, and tumor-bearing NSG mice received R-47 prior to and during paclitaxel treatment. R-47 prevents and reverses paclitaxel-induced mechanical hypersensitivity in mice in an α7 nAChR-dependent manner. No tolerance develops following repeated administration of R-47, and the drug lacks intrinsic rewarding effects. Additionally, R-47 neither changes the rewarding effect of nicotine in the Conditioned Place Preference test nor enhances mecamylamine-precipitated withdrawal. Furthermore, R-47 prevents paclitaxel-mediated loss of intraepidermal nerve fibers and morphological alterations of microglia in the spinal cord. Moreover, R-47 does not increase NSCLC cell viability, colony formation, or proliferation, and does not interfere with paclitaxel-induced growth arrest, DNA fragmentation, or apoptosis. Most importantly, R-47 does not increase the growth of A549 tumors or interfere with the antitumor activity of paclitaxel in tumor-bearing mice. These studies suggest that R-47 could be a viable and efficacious approach for the prevention and treatment of CIPN that would not interfere with the antitumor activity of paclitaxel or promote lung tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wisam Toma
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States of America.
| | - S Lauren Kyte
- Center for Veterinary Medicine, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, MD, United States of America
| | - Deniz Bagdas
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, Yale Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Asti Jackson
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, Yale Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Julie A Meade
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States of America
| | - Faria Rahman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States of America
| | - Zhi-Jian Chen
- Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States of America
| | - Egidio Del Fabbro
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States of America; Translational Research Initiative for Pain and Neuropathy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States of America
| | - Lucas Cantwell
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Abhijit Kulkarni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Ganesh A Thakur
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Roger L Papke
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
| | - John W Bigbee
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States of America
| | - David A Gewirtz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States of America
| | - M Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States of America; Translational Research Initiative for Pain and Neuropathy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States of America
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27
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Wang Y, Xue M, Xia Y, Jiang Q, Huang Z, Huang C. Electroacupuncture treatment upregulates α7nAChR and inhibits JAK2/STAT3 in dorsal root ganglion of rat with spared nerve injury. J Pain Res 2019; 12:1947-1955. [PMID: 31308727 PMCID: PMC6613452 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s203867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neuropathic pain with complicated mechanism severely disrupts patient quality of life. The novel approaches and more effective management should be further investigated. It was reported that alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) and janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) contributed to the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain. Our previous study has shown that electroacupuncture (EA) alleviated neuropathic pain via activating α7nAChR in the spinal cord. However, whether the effect of 2 Hz EA on spared nerve injury (SNI)-induced neuropathic pain is mediated through modulation of α7nAChR and JAK2/STAT3 pathway in the DRG remains unclear. Materials and methods The SNI-induced neuropathic pain rat model was used in this study. After application of 2 Hz EA treatment to SNI rats on day 3, 7, 14 and 21 post-surgery, the expression levels of α7nAChR, JAK2/STAT3 and some cytokines in DRG were determined by qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Results We found that SNI induced significant down-regulation of α7nAChR mRNA and protein expression. SNI also obviously elicited the decrease in anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 protein expression. The enhancement of p-JAK2, p-STAT3, pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 protein levels induced by SNI were also observed. However, 2 Hz EA treatment to SNI rats distinctly improved α7nAChR and IL-10 levels and reduced p-JAK2, p-STAT3, IL-1β and IL-6 expression in the DRG. Conclusion Our present study suggested that 2 Hz EA treatment indeed activated α7nAChR, suppressed JAK2/STAT3 signaling and re-balanced the relationship between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in DRG of SNI rat, which provided insight into our understanding of the mechanism for 2 Hz EA to attenuate neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Department of Physiology, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng Xue
- Department of Physiology, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, People's Republic of China
| | - Yangyang Xia
- Department of Physiology, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Jiang
- Department of Physiology, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhihua Huang
- Department of Physiology, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, People's Republic of China.,Pain Medicine Research Institute, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Huang
- Department of Physiology, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, People's Republic of China.,Pain Medicine Research Institute, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, People's Republic of China
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28
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Sun R, Liu Y, Hou B, Lei Y, Bo J, Zhang W, Sun Y, Zhang Y, Zhang Z, Liu Z, Huo W, Mao Y, Ma Z, Gu X. Perioperative activation of spinal α7 nAChR promotes recovery from preoperative stress-induced prolongation of postsurgical pain. Brain Behav Immun 2019; 79:294-308. [PMID: 30797046 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2019.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2018] [Revised: 01/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Preoperative stress could delay the recovery of postoperative pain and has been reported to be a risk factor for chronic postsurgical pain. As stress could facilitate the proinflammatory activation of microglia, we hypothesized that these cells may play a vital role in the development of preoperative stress-induced pain chronification after surgery. Our experiments were conducted in a rat model that consists of a single prolonged stress (SPS) procedure and plantar incision. A previous SPS exposure induced anxiety-like behaviors, prolonged incision-induced mechanical allodynia, and potentiated the activation of spinal microglia. Based on the results from ex vivo experiments, spinal microglia isolated from SPS-exposed rats secreted more proinflammatory cytokines upon challenge with LPS. Our results also demonstrated that microglia played a more important role than astrocytes in the initiation of SPS-induced prolongation of postsurgical pain. We further explored the therapeutic potential of agonism of α7 nAChR, an emerging anti-inflammatory target, for SPS-induced prolongation of postsurgical pain. Multiple intrathecal (i.t.) injections of PHA-543613 (an α7 nAChR agonist) or PNU-120596 (a type II positive allosteric modulator) during the perioperative period shortened the duration of postsurgical pain after SPS and suppressed SPS-potentiated microglia activation, but their effects were abolished by pretreatment with methyllycaconitine (an α7 nAChR antagonist; i.t.). Based on the results from ex vivo experiments, the anti-inflammatory effects of PHA-543613 and PNU-120596 may have been achieved by the direct modulation of microglia. In conclusion, stress-induced priming of spinal microglia played a key role in the initiation of preoperative stress-induced prolongation of postsurgical pain, and PHA-543613 and PNU-120596 may be potential candidates for preventing pain chronification after surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rao Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yue Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Bailing Hou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yishan Lei
- Department of Anesthesiology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Jinhua Bo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yu'E Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Zuoxia Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Zhe Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Wenwen Huo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yanting Mao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Zhengliang Ma
- Department of Anesthesiology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China.
| | - Xiaoping Gu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China.
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29
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Stokes C, Garai S, Kulkarni AR, Cantwell LN, Noviello CM, Hibbs RE, Horenstein NA, Abboud KA, Thakur GA, Papke RL. Heteromeric Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors with Mutant β Subunits Acquire Sensitivity to α7-Selective Positive Allosteric Modulators. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2019; 370:252-268. [PMID: 31175218 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.119.259499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Homomeric α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) have an intrinsically low probability of opening that can be overcome by α7-selective positive allosteric modulators (PAMs), which bind at a site involving the second transmembrane domain (TM2). Mutation of a methionine that is unique to α7 at the 15' position of TM2 to leucine, the residue in most other nAChR subunits, largely eliminates the activity of such PAMs. We tested the effect of the reverse mutation (L15'M) in heteromeric nAChR receptors containing α4 and β2, which are the nAChR subunits that are most abundant in the brain. Receptors containing these mutations were found to be strongly potentiated by the α7 PAM 3a,4,5,9b-tetrahydro-4-(1-naphthalenyl)-3H-cyclopentan[c]quinoline-8-sulfonamide (TQS) but insensitive to the alternative PAM 1-(5-chloro-2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)-urea. The presence of the mutation in the β2 subunit was necessary and sufficient for TQS sensitivity. The primary effect of the mutation in the α4 subunit was to reduce responses to acetylcholine applied alone. Sensitivity to TQS required only a single mutant β subunit, regardless of the position of the mutant β subunit within the pentameric complex. Similar results were obtained when β2L15'M was coexpressed with α2 or α3 and when the L15'M mutation was placed in β4 and coexpressed with α2, α3, or α4. Functional receptors were not observed when β1L15'M subunits were coexpressed with other muscle nAChR subunits. The unique structure-activity relationship of PAMs and the α4β2L15'M receptor compared with α7 and the availability of high-resolution α4β2 structures may provide new insights into the fundamental mechanisms of nAChR allosteric potentiation. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Heteromeric neuronal nAChRs have a relatively high initial probability of channel activation compared to receptors that are homomers of α7 subunits but are insensitive to PAMs, which greatly increase the open probability of α7 receptors. These features of heteromeric nAChR can be reversed by mutation of a single residue present in all neuronal heteromeric nAChR subunits to the sequence found in α7. Specifically, the mutation of the TM2 15' leucine to methionine in α subunits reduces heteromeric receptor channel activation, while the same mutation in neuronal β subunits allows heteromeric receptors to respond to select α7 PAMs. The results indicate a key role for this residue in the functional differences in the two main classes of neuronal nAChRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Stokes
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (C.S., R.L.P.) and Chemistry (N.A.H., K.A.A.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (S.G., A.R.K., L.N.C., G.A.T.); and Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas (C.M.N., R.E.H.)
| | - Sumanta Garai
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (C.S., R.L.P.) and Chemistry (N.A.H., K.A.A.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (S.G., A.R.K., L.N.C., G.A.T.); and Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas (C.M.N., R.E.H.)
| | - Abhijit R Kulkarni
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (C.S., R.L.P.) and Chemistry (N.A.H., K.A.A.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (S.G., A.R.K., L.N.C., G.A.T.); and Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas (C.M.N., R.E.H.)
| | - Lucas N Cantwell
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (C.S., R.L.P.) and Chemistry (N.A.H., K.A.A.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (S.G., A.R.K., L.N.C., G.A.T.); and Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas (C.M.N., R.E.H.)
| | - Colleen M Noviello
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (C.S., R.L.P.) and Chemistry (N.A.H., K.A.A.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (S.G., A.R.K., L.N.C., G.A.T.); and Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas (C.M.N., R.E.H.)
| | - Ryan E Hibbs
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (C.S., R.L.P.) and Chemistry (N.A.H., K.A.A.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (S.G., A.R.K., L.N.C., G.A.T.); and Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas (C.M.N., R.E.H.)
| | - Nicole A Horenstein
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (C.S., R.L.P.) and Chemistry (N.A.H., K.A.A.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (S.G., A.R.K., L.N.C., G.A.T.); and Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas (C.M.N., R.E.H.)
| | - Khalil A Abboud
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (C.S., R.L.P.) and Chemistry (N.A.H., K.A.A.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (S.G., A.R.K., L.N.C., G.A.T.); and Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas (C.M.N., R.E.H.)
| | - Ganesh A Thakur
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (C.S., R.L.P.) and Chemistry (N.A.H., K.A.A.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (S.G., A.R.K., L.N.C., G.A.T.); and Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas (C.M.N., R.E.H.)
| | - Roger L Papke
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (C.S., R.L.P.) and Chemistry (N.A.H., K.A.A.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (S.G., A.R.K., L.N.C., G.A.T.); and Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas (C.M.N., R.E.H.)
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Lin MJ, Yu BP. Upregulation of the high-affinity choline transporter in colon relieves stress-induced hyperalgesia. J Pain Res 2018; 11:1971-1982. [PMID: 30288092 PMCID: PMC6160269 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s164186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disease with hyperalgesia, the mechanisms of which remain elusive. The cholinergic system is known to be involved in pain inhibitory pathways in multiple diseases, and its involvement in IBS is unknown. Objective We aimed to determine whether high-affinity choline transporter CHT1, a major determinant of the cholinergic signaling capacity, is involved in regulating intestinal sensations associated with stress-induced visceral pain. Materials and methods An IBS rat model was established by chronic water avoidance stress (WAS). Colonic pathologic alterations were detected by H&E staining. Visceral sensations were determined by scoring the abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) and visceromotor response (VMR) magnitude of the electromyogram in response to colorectal distension (CRD). Abdominal mechanical hyperalgesia was assessed by counting the number of withdrawal events evoked by applying von Frey filaments. Real-time PCR, Western blot, and immunostaining were performed to identify CHT1 expression in the colon. Acetylcholine (ACh) secretion was determined by ELISA. Effects of MKC-231, a choline uptake enhancer, on visceral pain were examined. Results After 10 days of WAS exposure, AWR score and VMR magnitude in response to CRD were significantly enhanced and the number of withdrawal events was elevated. Protein and mRNA levels of CHT1 were considerably increased in the colon after WAS. CHT1 upregulation in the WAS-exposed group was largely abolished by ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate. The density of CHT1-positive intramuscular cells and enteric neurons in the myenteric plexus was enhanced in WAS-exposed rats. Pharmacologic enhancement of CHT1 activity by MKC-231 gavage could relieve the visceral pain of WAS rats by upregulating CHT1 protein expression and enhancing ACh production. Conclusion CHT1 may exert an antinociceptive effect in stress-induced visceral pain by modulating ACh synthesis through nuclear factor kappa B signaling. MKC-231 could be used as a potential drug to treat disorders with hyperalgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Juan Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China, .,Key Laboratory of Hubei Province for Digestive System Disease, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China,
| | - Bao-Ping Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China, .,Key Laboratory of Hubei Province for Digestive System Disease, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China,
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31
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Quadri M, Bagdas D, Toma W, Stokes C, Horenstein NA, Damaj MI, Papke RL. The Antinociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of the α7 nAChR Weak Partial Agonist p-CF 3 N, N-diethyl- N'-phenylpiperazine. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2018; 367:203-214. [PMID: 30111636 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.118.249904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain and inflammatory diseases can be regulated by complex mechanisms involving α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), making this subtype a promising drug target for anti-inflammatory therapies. Recent evidence suggests that suchtreatment of inflammatory pain may rely on metabotropic-like rather than ionotropic activation of the α7 receptor subtype in non-neuronal cells. We previously identified para-trifluoromethyl (p-CF3) N,N-diethyl-N'-phenylpiperazinium (diEPP) iodide to be among the compounds classified as silent agonists, which are very weak α7 partial agonists that are able to induce positive allosteric modulator (PAM)-sensitive desensitization. Such drugs have been shown to selectively promote α7 ionotropic-independent functions. Therefore, we here further investigated the electrophysiological profile of p-CF3 diEPP and its in vivo antinociceptive activity using Xenopus oocytes expressing α7, α4β2, or α3β4 nAChRs. The evoked currents confirmed p-CF3 diEPP to be α7-selective with a maximal agonism 5% that of acetylcholine (ACh). Coapplication of p-CF3 diEPP with the type II PAM 4-naphthalene-1-yl-3a,4,5,9b-tetrahydro-3-H-cyclopenta[c]quinoline-8-sulfonic acid amide (TQS) produced desensitization that could be converted to PAM-potentiated currents, which at a negative holding potential were up to 13-fold greater than ACh controls. Voltage-dependence experiments indicated that channel block may limit both control ACh and TQS-potentiated responses. Although no p-CF3 diEPP agonist activity was detected for the heteromeric nAChRs, it was a noncompetitive antagonist of these receptors. The compound displayed remarkable antihyperalgesic and antiedema effects in in vivo assays. The antinociceptive activity was dose and time dependent. The anti-inflammatory components were sensitive to the α7-selective antagonist methyllycaconitine, which supports the idea that these effects are mediated by the α7 nAChR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Quadri
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (M.Q., C.S., R.L.P.) and Chemistry (M.Q., N.A.H.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (D.B., W.T., M.I.D.)
| | - Deniz Bagdas
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (M.Q., C.S., R.L.P.) and Chemistry (M.Q., N.A.H.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (D.B., W.T., M.I.D.)
| | - Wisam Toma
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (M.Q., C.S., R.L.P.) and Chemistry (M.Q., N.A.H.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (D.B., W.T., M.I.D.)
| | - Clare Stokes
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (M.Q., C.S., R.L.P.) and Chemistry (M.Q., N.A.H.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (D.B., W.T., M.I.D.)
| | - Nicole A Horenstein
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (M.Q., C.S., R.L.P.) and Chemistry (M.Q., N.A.H.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (D.B., W.T., M.I.D.)
| | - M Imad Damaj
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (M.Q., C.S., R.L.P.) and Chemistry (M.Q., N.A.H.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (D.B., W.T., M.I.D.)
| | - Roger L Papke
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (M.Q., C.S., R.L.P.) and Chemistry (M.Q., N.A.H.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (D.B., W.T., M.I.D.)
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Nissen NI, Anderson KR, Wang H, Lee HS, Garrison C, Eichelberger SA, Ackerman K, Im W, Miwa JM. Augmenting the antinociceptive effects of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor activity through lynx1 modulation. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0199643. [PMID: 29969495 PMCID: PMC6029753 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) of the cholinergic system have been linked to antinociception, and therefore could be an alternative target for pain alleviation. nAChR activity has been shown to be regulated by the nicotinic modulator, lynx1, which forms stable complexes with nAChRs and has a negative allosteric action on their function. The objective in this study was to investigate the contribution of lynx1 to nicotine-mediated antinociception. Lynx1 contribution was investigated by mRNA expression analysis and electrophysiological responses to nicotine in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), a part of the pain signaling pathway. In vivo antinociception was investigated in a test of nociception, the hot-plate analgesia assay with behavioral pharmacology. Lynx1/α4β2 nAChR interactions were investigated using molecular dynamics computational modeling. Nicotine evoked responses in serotonergic and GABAergic neurons in the DRN are augmented in slices lacking lynx1 (lynx1KO). The antinociceptive effect of nicotine and epibatidine is enhanced in lynx1KO mice and blocked by mecamylamine and DHβE. Computer simulations predict preferential binding affinity of lynx1 to the α:α interface that exists in the stoichiometry of the low sensitivity (α4)3(β2)2 nAChRs. Taken together, these data point to a role of lynx1 in mediating pain signaling in the DRN through preferential affinity to the low sensitivity α4β2 nAChRs. This study suggests that lynx1 is a possible alternative avenue for nociceptive modulation outside of opioid-based strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neel I. Nissen
- Department of Biological Science, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, United States of America
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Kristin R. Anderson
- Department of Biological Science, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, United States of America
| | - Huaixing Wang
- Department of Biological Science, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, United States of America
| | - Hui Sun Lee
- Department of Biological Science, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, United States of America
| | - Carly Garrison
- Department of Biological Science, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, United States of America
| | | | - Kasarah Ackerman
- Department of Biological Science, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, United States of America
| | - Wonpil Im
- Department of Biological Science, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, United States of America
| | - Julie M. Miwa
- Department of Biological Science, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Jackson A, Papke RL, Damaj MI. Pharmacological modulation of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in a mouse model of mecamylamine-precipitated nicotine withdrawal. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018; 235:1897-1905. [PMID: 29549391 PMCID: PMC6015775 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-4879-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Recent preclinical data has implicated the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) as a target in modulating nicotine reward. However, the role of the channel properties of the α7 nAChR in nicotine withdrawal is unknown. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the impact of α7 nAChR pharmacological modulation on mecamylamine-precipitated nicotine withdrawal behaviors in mice by using positive allosteric modulators (PAMs). METHODS The effect of the orthosteric α7 nAChR full agonist PNU282987 (1, 3, 9 mg/kg, s.c.), type I α7 PAM NS1738 (1 and 10 mg/kg; i.p.) and the type II α7 PAM PNU120596 (3 and 9 mg/kg, i.p.) on anxiety-like behavior, somatic signs, and hyperalgesia was measured in mice undergoing mecamylamine-precipitated nicotine withdrawal. Mice were infused with 24 mg/kg/day nicotine or saline for 14 days using s.c. osmotic minipumps. Nicotine withdrawal signs were precipitated upon administration of the non-selective nAChR antagonist mecamylamine (3.5 mg/kg, i.p.). RESULTS Anxiety-like behavior in nicotine withdrawn mice was only attenuated by PNU282987 in a dose-related fashion. Somatic signs were reduced by PNU282987 and NS1738. PNU120596 was the only compound that reversed precipitated nicotine withdrawal-induced hyperalgesia. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our results suggest that modulation of the α7 nAChR can play important roles in mecamylamine-precipitated nicotine withdrawal behaviors in mice. In addition, the effects of PAMs in this study suggest that endogenous acetylcholine/choline tone is sufficient to attenuate some aspects of precipitated nicotine withdrawal. These findings highlight a beneficial effect of using α7 nAChR PAMs in some aspects of precipitated nicotine withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asti Jackson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
| | - Roger L. Papke
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, PO Box 100267 Gainesville, FL 32610-0267
| | - M. Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA, USA
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King JR, Ullah A, Bak E, Jafri MS, Kabbani N. Ionotropic and Metabotropic Mechanisms of Allosteric Modulation of α7 Nicotinic Receptor Intracellular Calcium. Mol Pharmacol 2018; 93:601-611. [PMID: 29588343 PMCID: PMC11033947 DOI: 10.1124/mol.117.111401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The pharmacological targeting of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7) is a promising strategy in the development of new drugs for neurologic diseases. Because α7 receptors regulate cellular calcium, we investigated how the prototypical type II-positive allosteric modulator PNU120596 affects α7-mediated calcium signaling. Live imaging experiments show that PNU120596 augments ryanodine receptor-driven calcium-induced calcium release (CICR), inositol-induced calcium release (IICR), and phospholipase C activation by the α7 receptor. Both influx of calcium through the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) channel as well as the binding of intracellular G proteins were involved in the effect of PNU120596 on intracellular calcium. This is evidenced by the findings that chelation of extracellular calcium, expression of α7D44A or α7345-348A mutant subunits, or blockade of calcium store release compromised the ability of PNU120596 to increase intracellular calcium transients generated by α7 ligand activation. Spatiotemporal stochastic modeling of calcium transient responses corroborates these results and indicates that α7 receptor activation enables calcium microdomains locally and to lesser extent in the distant cytosol. From the model, allosteric modulation of the receptor activates CICR locally via ryanodine receptors and augments IICR through enhanced calcium influx due to prolonged α7 nAChR opening. These findings provide a new mechanistic framework for understanding the effect of α7 receptor allosteric modulation on both local and global calcium dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin R King
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience (J.R.K., M.S.J., N.K.) and School of Systems Biology (A.U., E.B., M.S.J., N.K.), George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
| | - Aman Ullah
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience (J.R.K., M.S.J., N.K.) and School of Systems Biology (A.U., E.B., M.S.J., N.K.), George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
| | - Ellen Bak
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience (J.R.K., M.S.J., N.K.) and School of Systems Biology (A.U., E.B., M.S.J., N.K.), George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
| | - M Saleet Jafri
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience (J.R.K., M.S.J., N.K.) and School of Systems Biology (A.U., E.B., M.S.J., N.K.), George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
| | - Nadine Kabbani
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience (J.R.K., M.S.J., N.K.) and School of Systems Biology (A.U., E.B., M.S.J., N.K.), George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
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Abstract
Along with the well-known rewarding effects, activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) can also relieve pain, and some nicotinic agonists have analgesic efficacy similar to opioids. A major target of analgesic drugs is the descending pain modulatory pathway, including the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) and the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM). Although activating nAChRs within this circuitry can be analgesic, little is known about the subunit composition and cellular effects of these receptors, particularly within the vlPAG. Using electrophysiology in brain slices from adult male rats, we examined nAChR effects on vlPAG neurons that project to the RVM. We found that 63% of PAG-RVM projection neurons expressed functional nAChRs, which were exclusively of the α7-subtype. Interestingly, the neurons that express α7 nAChRs were largely nonoverlapping with those expressing μ-opioid receptors (MOR). As nAChRs are excitatory and MORs are inhibitory, these data suggest distinct roles for these neuronal classes in pain modulation. Along with direct excitation, we also found that presynaptic nAChRs enhanced GABAergic release preferentially onto neurons that lacked α7 nAChRs. In addition, presynaptic nAChRs enhanced glutamatergic inputs onto all PAG-RVM projection neuron classes to a similar extent. In behavioral testing, both systemic and intra-vlPAG administration of the α7 nAChR-selective agonist, PHA-543,613, was antinociceptive in the formalin assay. Furthermore, intra-vlPAG α7 antagonist pretreatment blocked PHA-543,613-induced antinociception via either administration method. Systemic administration of submaximal doses of the α7 agonist and morphine produced additive antinociceptive effects. Together, our findings indicate that the vlPAG is a key site of action for α7 nAChR-mediated antinociception.
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Bagdas D, Meade JA, Alkhlaif Y, Muldoon PP, Carroll FI, Damaj MI. Effect of nicotine and alpha-7 nicotinic modulators on visceral pain-induced conditioned place aversion in mice. Eur J Pain 2018; 22:10.1002/ejp.1231. [PMID: 29633429 PMCID: PMC6179949 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preclinical assays of affective and sensorial aspects of nociception play a key role in research on both the neurobiology of pain and the development of novel analgesics. Therefore, we investigated the effects of nicotine and alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) modulators in the negative affective and sensory components of visceral pain in mice. METHODS AND RESULTS Intraperitoneal acetic acid (AA) administration resulted in a robust stretching behaviour and conditioned place aversion (CPA) in mice. We observed a dose-dependent reduction in AA-induced stretching and CPA by the nonselective nAChRs agonist nicotine. Mecamylamine, a nonselective nAChRs agonist, was able to block its effects; however, hexamethonium, a peripherally restricted nonselective nicotinic antagonist, was able to block nicotine's effect on stretching behaviour but not on CPA. In addition, systemic administration of α7 nAChR full agonists PHA543613 and PNU282987 was failed to block stretching and CPA behaviour induced by AA. However, the α7 nAChR-positive allosteric modulator PNU120596 blocked AA-induced CPA in a dose-dependent manner without reducing stretching behaviours. CONCLUSIONS Our data revealed that while nonselective nAChR activation induces antinociceptive properties on the sensorial and affective signs of visceral pain in mice, α7 nAChRS activation has no effect on these responses. In addition, nonselective nAChR activation-induced antinociceptive effect on stretching behaviour was mediated by central and peripheral mechanisms. However, the effect of nonselective nAChR activation on CPA was mediated centrally. Furthermore, our data suggest a pivotal role of allosteric modulation of α7 nAChRS in the negative affective, but not sensory, component of visceral pain. SIGNIFICANCE The present results suggest that allosteric modulation of α7 nAChR may provide new strategies in affective aspects of nociception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deniz Bagdas
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613
- The Center for the Study for Tobacco Products, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Julie A. Meade
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613
| | - Yasmin Alkhlaif
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613
| | - Pretal P. Muldoon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613
| | - F. Ivy Carroll
- Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Institute, PO Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194
| | - M. Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613
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El Nebrisi EG, Bagdas D, Toma W, Al Samri H, Brodzik A, Alkhlaif Y, Yang KHS, Howarth FC, Damaj IM, Oz M. Curcumin Acts as a Positive Allosteric Modulator of α7-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors and Reverses Nociception in Mouse Models of Inflammatory Pain. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2018; 365:190-200. [PMID: 29339457 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.117.245068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Effects of curcumin, a major ingredient of turmeric, were tested on the function of the α7-subunit of the human nicotinic acetylcholine (α7-nACh) receptor expressed in Xenopus oocytes and on nociception in mouse models of tonic and visceral pain. Curcumin caused a significant potentiation of currents induced by acetylcholine (ACh; 100 μM) with an EC50 value of 0.2 µM. The effect of curcumin was not dependent on the activation of G-proteins and protein kinases and did not involve Ca2+-dependent Cl- channels expressed endogenously in oocytes. Importantly, the extent of curcumin potentiation was enhanced significantly by decreasing ACh concentrations. Curcumin did not alter specific binding of [125I]α-bungarotoxin. In addition, curcumin attenuated nociceptive behavior in both tonic and visceral pain models without affecting motor and locomotor activity and without producing tolerance. Pharmacological and genetic approaches revealed that the antinociceptive effect of curcumin was mediated by α7-nACh receptors. Curcumin potentiated the antinociceptive effects of the α7-nACh receptor agonist N-(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl-4-chlorobenzamide (PNU282987). Collectively, our results indicate that curcumin is a positive allosteric modulator of α7-nACh receptor and reverses nociception in mouse models of tonic and visceral pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eslam Gaber El Nebrisi
- Departments of Pharmacology (E.G.E.N., H.A.S., M.O.) and Physiology (F.C.H.), College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (D.B., W.T., A.B., Y.A., I.M.D.); Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.); Department of Biological Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange, California (K.-H.S.Y.); and Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar (M.O.)
| | - Deniz Bagdas
- Departments of Pharmacology (E.G.E.N., H.A.S., M.O.) and Physiology (F.C.H.), College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (D.B., W.T., A.B., Y.A., I.M.D.); Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.); Department of Biological Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange, California (K.-H.S.Y.); and Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar (M.O.)
| | - Wisam Toma
- Departments of Pharmacology (E.G.E.N., H.A.S., M.O.) and Physiology (F.C.H.), College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (D.B., W.T., A.B., Y.A., I.M.D.); Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.); Department of Biological Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange, California (K.-H.S.Y.); and Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar (M.O.)
| | - Halima Al Samri
- Departments of Pharmacology (E.G.E.N., H.A.S., M.O.) and Physiology (F.C.H.), College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (D.B., W.T., A.B., Y.A., I.M.D.); Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.); Department of Biological Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange, California (K.-H.S.Y.); and Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar (M.O.)
| | - Anna Brodzik
- Departments of Pharmacology (E.G.E.N., H.A.S., M.O.) and Physiology (F.C.H.), College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (D.B., W.T., A.B., Y.A., I.M.D.); Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.); Department of Biological Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange, California (K.-H.S.Y.); and Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar (M.O.)
| | - Yasmin Alkhlaif
- Departments of Pharmacology (E.G.E.N., H.A.S., M.O.) and Physiology (F.C.H.), College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (D.B., W.T., A.B., Y.A., I.M.D.); Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.); Department of Biological Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange, California (K.-H.S.Y.); and Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar (M.O.)
| | - Keun-Hang Susan Yang
- Departments of Pharmacology (E.G.E.N., H.A.S., M.O.) and Physiology (F.C.H.), College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (D.B., W.T., A.B., Y.A., I.M.D.); Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.); Department of Biological Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange, California (K.-H.S.Y.); and Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar (M.O.)
| | - Frank Christopher Howarth
- Departments of Pharmacology (E.G.E.N., H.A.S., M.O.) and Physiology (F.C.H.), College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (D.B., W.T., A.B., Y.A., I.M.D.); Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.); Department of Biological Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange, California (K.-H.S.Y.); and Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar (M.O.)
| | - Imad M Damaj
- Departments of Pharmacology (E.G.E.N., H.A.S., M.O.) and Physiology (F.C.H.), College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (D.B., W.T., A.B., Y.A., I.M.D.); Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.); Department of Biological Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange, California (K.-H.S.Y.); and Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar (M.O.)
| | - Murat Oz
- Departments of Pharmacology (E.G.E.N., H.A.S., M.O.) and Physiology (F.C.H.), College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (D.B., W.T., A.B., Y.A., I.M.D.); Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.); Department of Biological Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange, California (K.-H.S.Y.); and Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar (M.O.)
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Bagdas D, Ergun D, Jackson A, Toma W, Schulte M, Damaj M. Allosteric modulation of α4β2* nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: Desformylflustrabromine potentiates antiallodynic response of nicotine in a mouse model of neuropathic pain. Eur J Pain 2018; 22:84-93. [PMID: 28809075 PMCID: PMC9829446 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are ligand-gated ion channels. The α4β2 subtype of nAChRs plays an important role in the mediation of pain and several nicotine-evoked responses. Agonists and partial agonists of α4β2 nAChRs show efficacy in animal pain models. In addition, the antinociceptive properties of nicotine, a non-selective nAChR agonist with a high affinity for α4β2 nAChRs, is well-known. There is a growing body of evidence pointing to allosteric modulation of nAChRs as an alternative treatment strategy in experimental pain. Desformylflustrabromine (dFBr) is a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) at α4β2 nAChRs that enhances agonist responses without activating receptors. We hypothesized that dFBr may enhance nicotine-induced antinociception. METHODS The present study investigated whether dFBr could attenuate mouse chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced neuropathic pain by increasing endogenous cholinergic tone or potentiating the nicotine-evoked antiallodynic response. RESULTS We found that subcutaneous administration of dFBr failed to reduce pain behaviour on its own. However, the combination of dFBr with nicotine significantly reversed neuropathic pain behaviour dose- and time-dependently without motor impairment. Our data revealed that this effect was mediated by the α4β2 nAChRs by using competitive α4β2 antagonist dihydro-β-erythroidine. In addition, dFBr failed to potentiate the antiallodynic effect of morphine, which shows the effect of dFBr is unique to α4β2 nAChRs. CONCLUSIONS The present results suggest that allosteric modulation of α4β2 nAChR may provide new strategies in chronic neuropathic pain. SIGNIFICANCE α4β2 nAChRs are involved in pain modulation. dFBr, a PAM at α4β2 nAChRs, potentiates the nicotine response dose-dependently in neuropathic pain. Thus, the present results suggest that allosteric modulation of α4β2* nAChR may provide new strategies in chronic neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. Bagdas
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613 USA,Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Uludag University, Bursa 16059, Turkey
| | - D. Ergun
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613 USA
| | - A. Jackson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613 USA
| | - W. Toma
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613 USA
| | - M.K. Schulte
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - M.I. Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613 USA
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Bagdas D, Gurun MS, Flood P, Papke RL, Damaj MI. New Insights on Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors as Targets for Pain and Inflammation: A Focus on α7 nAChRs. Curr Neuropharmacol 2018; 16:415-425. [PMID: 28820052 PMCID: PMC6018191 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x15666170818102108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Revised: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nicotine and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have been explored for the past three decades as targets for pain control. The aim of this review is to introduce readers particularly to α7 nAChRs in a perspective of pain and its modulation. METHODS Developments for α7 nAChR modulators and recent animal studies related to pain are reviewed. RESULTS Accumulating evidences suggest that selective ligands for α7 nAChRs hold promise in the treatment of chronic pain conditions as they lack many of side effects associated with other nicotinic receptor types. CONCLUSION This review provides the reader recent insights on α7 nAChRs from structure and function to the latest findings on the pharmacology and therapeutic targeting of these receptors for the treatment of pain and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deniz Bagdas
- Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613; Tel/Fax: +1-804-828-9256; E-mail:
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Amino acid and peptide prodrugs of diphenylpropanones positive allosteric modulators of α7 nicotinic receptors with analgesic activity. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 143:157-165. [PMID: 29174812 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.10.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Revised: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
α7 Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are ion channels implicated in a number of CNS pathological processes, including pain and psychiatric, cognitive and inflammatory diseases. Comparing with orthosteric agonism, positive allosteric modulation of these channels constitutes an interesting approach to achieve selectivity versus other nicotinic receptors. We have recently described new chalcones and 1,3-diphenylpropanones as positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of α7 nAChRs, which proved to have good analgesic activities but poor pharmacokinetic properties. Here we report the preparation of amino acid and peptide derivatives as prodrugs of these modulators with the aim of improving their in vivo biological activity. While the valine derivative showed very short half life in aqueous solutions to be considered a prodrug, Val-Val and Val-Pro-Val are suitable precursors of the parent 1,3-diphenylpropanones, via chemical and enzymatic transformation, respectively. Compounds 19 (Val-Val) and 21 (Val-Pro-Val), prodrugs of the 2',5',4-trihydroxy-1,3-diphenylpropan-1-one 3, showed significant antinociceptive activity in in vivo assays. The best compound, 21, displayed a better profile in the analgesia test than its parent compound 3, exhibiting about the same potency but long-lasting effects.
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The current agonists and positive allosteric modulators of α7 nAChR for CNS indications in clinical trials. Acta Pharm Sin B 2017; 7:611-622. [PMID: 29159020 PMCID: PMC5687317 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2017.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Revised: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR), consisting of homomeric α7 subunits, is a ligand-gated Ca2+-permeable ion channel implicated in cognition and neuropsychiatric disorders. Enhancement of α7 nAChR function is considered to be a potential therapeutic strategy aiming at ameliorating cognitive deficits of neuropsychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and schizophrenia. Currently, a number of α7 nAChR modulators have been reported and several of them have advanced into clinical trials. In this brief review, we outline recent progress made in understanding the role of the α7 nAChR in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders and the pharmacological effects of α7 nAChR modulators used in clinical trials.
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Key Words
- 5-CSRTT, five-choice serial reaction time task
- 5-HT, serotonin
- ACh, acetylcholine
- AD, Alzheimer's disease
- ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Acetylcholine
- Alpha7
- Alzheimer's disease
- Aβ, amyloid-β peptide
- CNS, central nervous system
- DMTS, delayed matching-to-sample
- ECD, extracellular domain
- GABA, γ-aminobutyric acid
- Ion channel
- MLA, methyllycaconitine
- NOR, novel object recognition
- PAMs, positive allosteric modulators
- PCP, neonatal phencyclidine
- PD, Parkinson's disease
- PPI, prepulse inhibition
- Positive allosteric modulators
- SAR, structure–activity relationship
- Schizophrenia
- TMD, transmembrane domains
- nAChR
- nAChR, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
- α-Btx, α-bungarotoxin
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Hone AJ, McIntosh JM. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in neuropathic and inflammatory pain. FEBS Lett 2017; 592:1045-1062. [PMID: 29030971 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Revised: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are actively being investigated as therapeutic targets for the treatment of pain and inflammation, but despite more than 30 years of research, there are currently no FDA-approved analgesics that are specific for these receptors. Much of the initial research effort focused on the α4β2 nAChR subtype, but more recently, additional subtypes have been identified as promising new leads and include α6β4, α7, and α9-containing nAChRs. This Review will focus on the distribution of these nAChRs in the cell types involved in neuropathic pain and inflammation and the activity of currently available nicotinic ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arik J Hone
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - J Michael McIntosh
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,George E. Whalen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Kyte SL, Toma W, Bagdas D, Meade JA, Schurman LD, Lichtman AH, Chen ZJ, Del Fabbro E, Fang X, Bigbee JW, Damaj MI, Gewirtz DA. Nicotine Prevents and Reverses Paclitaxel-Induced Mechanical Allodynia in a Mouse Model of CIPN. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2017; 364:110-119. [PMID: 29042416 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.117.243972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a consequence of peripheral nerve fiber dysfunction or degeneration, continues to be a dose-limiting and debilitating side effect during and/or after cancer chemotherapy. Paclitaxel, a taxane commonly used to treat breast, lung, and ovarian cancers, causes CIPN in 59-78% of cancer patients. Novel interventions are needed due to the current lack of effective CIPN treatments. Our studies were designed to investigate whether nicotine can prevent and/or reverse paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy in a mouse model of CIPN, while ensuring that nicotine will not stimulate lung tumor cell proliferation or interfere with the antitumor properties of paclitaxel. Male C57BL/6J mice received paclitaxel every other day for a total of four injections (8 mg/kg, i.p.). Acute (0.3-0.9 mg/kg, i.p.) and chronic (24 mg/kg per day, s.c.) administration of nicotine respectively reversed and prevented paclitaxel-induced mechanical allodynia. Blockade of the antinociceptive effect of nicotine with mecamylamine and methyllycaconitine suggests that the reversal of paclitaxel-induced mechanical allodynia is primarily mediated by the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtype. Chronic nicotine treatment also prevented paclitaxel-induced intraepidermal nerve fiber loss. Notably, nicotine neither promoted proliferation of A549 and H460 non-small cell lung cancer cells nor interfered with paclitaxel-induced antitumor effects, including apoptosis. Most importantly, chronic nicotine administration did not enhance Lewis lung carcinoma tumor growth in C57BL/6J mice. These data suggest that the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-mediated pathways may be promising drug targets for the prevention and treatment of CIPN.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Lauren Kyte
- Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (S.L.K., W.T., D.B., J.A.M., L.D.S., A.H.L., M.I.D., D.A.G.), Neurology (Z.-J.C.), Internal Medicine (E.D.F.), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (X.F.), and Anatomy and Neurobiology (J.W.B.), and Massey Cancer Center (D.A.G.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; and Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.)
| | - Wisam Toma
- Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (S.L.K., W.T., D.B., J.A.M., L.D.S., A.H.L., M.I.D., D.A.G.), Neurology (Z.-J.C.), Internal Medicine (E.D.F.), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (X.F.), and Anatomy and Neurobiology (J.W.B.), and Massey Cancer Center (D.A.G.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; and Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.)
| | - Deniz Bagdas
- Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (S.L.K., W.T., D.B., J.A.M., L.D.S., A.H.L., M.I.D., D.A.G.), Neurology (Z.-J.C.), Internal Medicine (E.D.F.), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (X.F.), and Anatomy and Neurobiology (J.W.B.), and Massey Cancer Center (D.A.G.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; and Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.)
| | - Julie A Meade
- Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (S.L.K., W.T., D.B., J.A.M., L.D.S., A.H.L., M.I.D., D.A.G.), Neurology (Z.-J.C.), Internal Medicine (E.D.F.), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (X.F.), and Anatomy and Neurobiology (J.W.B.), and Massey Cancer Center (D.A.G.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; and Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.)
| | - Lesley D Schurman
- Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (S.L.K., W.T., D.B., J.A.M., L.D.S., A.H.L., M.I.D., D.A.G.), Neurology (Z.-J.C.), Internal Medicine (E.D.F.), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (X.F.), and Anatomy and Neurobiology (J.W.B.), and Massey Cancer Center (D.A.G.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; and Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.)
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (S.L.K., W.T., D.B., J.A.M., L.D.S., A.H.L., M.I.D., D.A.G.), Neurology (Z.-J.C.), Internal Medicine (E.D.F.), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (X.F.), and Anatomy and Neurobiology (J.W.B.), and Massey Cancer Center (D.A.G.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; and Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.)
| | - Zhi-Jian Chen
- Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (S.L.K., W.T., D.B., J.A.M., L.D.S., A.H.L., M.I.D., D.A.G.), Neurology (Z.-J.C.), Internal Medicine (E.D.F.), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (X.F.), and Anatomy and Neurobiology (J.W.B.), and Massey Cancer Center (D.A.G.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; and Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.)
| | - Egidio Del Fabbro
- Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (S.L.K., W.T., D.B., J.A.M., L.D.S., A.H.L., M.I.D., D.A.G.), Neurology (Z.-J.C.), Internal Medicine (E.D.F.), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (X.F.), and Anatomy and Neurobiology (J.W.B.), and Massey Cancer Center (D.A.G.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; and Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.)
| | - Xianjun Fang
- Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (S.L.K., W.T., D.B., J.A.M., L.D.S., A.H.L., M.I.D., D.A.G.), Neurology (Z.-J.C.), Internal Medicine (E.D.F.), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (X.F.), and Anatomy and Neurobiology (J.W.B.), and Massey Cancer Center (D.A.G.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; and Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.)
| | - John W Bigbee
- Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (S.L.K., W.T., D.B., J.A.M., L.D.S., A.H.L., M.I.D., D.A.G.), Neurology (Z.-J.C.), Internal Medicine (E.D.F.), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (X.F.), and Anatomy and Neurobiology (J.W.B.), and Massey Cancer Center (D.A.G.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; and Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.)
| | - M Imad Damaj
- Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (S.L.K., W.T., D.B., J.A.M., L.D.S., A.H.L., M.I.D., D.A.G.), Neurology (Z.-J.C.), Internal Medicine (E.D.F.), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (X.F.), and Anatomy and Neurobiology (J.W.B.), and Massey Cancer Center (D.A.G.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; and Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.)
| | - David A Gewirtz
- Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (S.L.K., W.T., D.B., J.A.M., L.D.S., A.H.L., M.I.D., D.A.G.), Neurology (Z.-J.C.), Internal Medicine (E.D.F.), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (X.F.), and Anatomy and Neurobiology (J.W.B.), and Massey Cancer Center (D.A.G.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; and Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.)
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The interaction between alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α represents a new antinociceptive signaling pathway in mice. Exp Neurol 2017; 295:194-201. [PMID: 28606623 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2017.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2017] [Revised: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Recently, α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), primarily activated by binding of orthosteric agonists, represent a target for anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug development. These receptors may also be modulated by positive allosteric modulators (PAMs), ago-allosteric ligands (ago-PAMs), and α7-silent agonists. Activation of α7 nAChRs has been reported to increase the brain levels of endogenous ligands for nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors type-α (PPAR-α), palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and oleoylethanolamide (OEA), in a Ca2+-dependent manner. Here, we investigated potential crosstalk between α7 nAChR and PPAR-α, using the formalin test, a mouse model of tonic pain. Using pharmacological and genetic approaches, we found that PNU282987, a full α7 agonist, attenuated formalin-induced nociceptive behavior in α7-dependent manner. Interestingly, the selective PPAR-α antagonist GW6471 blocked the antinociceptive effects of PNU282987, but did not alter the antinociceptive responses evoked by the α7 nAChR PAM PNU120596, ago-PAM GAT107, and silent agonist NS6740. Moreover, GW6471 administered systemically or spinally, but not via the intraplantar surface of the formalin-injected paw blocked PNU282987-induced antinociception. Conversely, exogenous administration of the naturally occurring PPAR-α agonist PEA potentiated the antinociceptive effects of PNU282987. In contrast, the cannabinoid CB1 antagonist rimonabant and the CB2 antagonist SR144528 failed to reverse the antinociceptive effects of PNU282987. These findings suggest that PPAR-α plays a key role in a putative antinociceptive α7 nicotinic signaling pathway.
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Luo D, Chen L, Yu B. Inhibition of the high affinity choline transporter enhances hyperalgesia in a rat model of chronic pancreatitis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 488:204-210. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Cholinergic Protection in Ischemic Brain Injury. SPRINGER SERIES IN TRANSLATIONAL STROKE RESEARCH 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-45345-3_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Jareczek FJ, White SR, Hammond DL. Plasticity in Brainstem Mechanisms of Pain Modulation by Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in the Rat. eNeuro 2017; 4:ENEURO.0364-16.2017. [PMID: 28197544 PMCID: PMC5286660 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0364-16.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Revised: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals with chronic pain may be driven to smoke more because the analgesic efficacy of nicotine diminishes. To determine whether persistent pain diminishes the actions of a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist in pain modulatory pathways, we examined the effects of epibatidine in the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) of rats with and without inflammatory injury induced by intraplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). In uninjured rats, epibatidine produced a dose-dependent antinociception that was completely blocked by dihydro-β-erythroidine (DHβE; α4β2 antagonist) and partially blocked by methyllycaconitine (MLA; α7 antagonist). Epibatidine reversed heat hyperalgesia when microinjected in the RVM 4 h, 4 d, or 2 weeks after CFA treatment. Although DHβE completely blocked epibatidine's antihyperalgesic effect at 4 h, at 2 weeks it elicited only partial antagonism. Methyllycaconitine was ineffective at both time points. Epibatidine's antinociceptive efficacy in the uninjured hind paw progressively declined, and it was without effect 2 weeks after CFA. Moreover, as early as 4 h after CFA, the antinociceptive effect of epibatidine was no longer antagonized by DHβE. Neither antagonist alone altered paw withdrawal latency in uninjured or CFA-treated rats, suggesting that neither α4β2 nor α7 nAChRs are tonically active in the RVM. The Bmax and Kd of α4β2 nAChRs in the RVM were unchanged after CFA treatment. These observations provide the first evidence of pharmacological plasticity of the actions of α4β2 nAChR agonists in a critical brainstem pain modulatory pathway and may in part explain why people with chronic pain smoke more than the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis J. Jareczek
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | | | - Donna L. Hammond
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Department of Anesthesia, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
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Bagdas D, Wilkerson JL, Kulkarni A, Toma W, AlSharari S, Gul Z, Lichtman AH, Papke RL, Thakur GA, Damaj MI. The α7 nicotinic receptor dual allosteric agonist and positive allosteric modulator GAT107 reverses nociception in mouse models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Br J Pharmacol 2016; 173:2506-20. [PMID: 27243753 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2015] [Revised: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Orthosteric agonists and positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of the α7 nicotinic ACh receptor (nAChR) represent novel therapeutic approaches for pain modulation. Moreover, compounds with dual function as allosteric agonists and PAMs, known as ago-PAMs, add further regulation of receptor function. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Initial studies examined the α7 ago-PAM, GAT107, in the formalin, complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), LPS inflammatory pain models, the chronic constriction injury neuropathic pain model and the tail flick and hot plate acute thermal nociceptive assays. Additional studies examined the locus of action of GAT107 and immunohistochemical markers in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord in the CFA model. KEY RESULTS Complementary pharmacological and genetic approaches confirmed that the dose-dependent antinociceptive effects of GAT107 were mediated through α7 nAChR. However, GAT107 was inactive in the tail flick and hot plate assays. In addition, GAT107 blocked conditioned place aversion elicited by acetic acid injection. Furthermore, intrathecal, but not intraplantar, injections of GAT107 reversed nociception in the CFA model, suggesting a spinal component of action. Immunohistochemical evaluation revealed an increase in the expression of astrocyte-specific glial fibrillary acidic protein and phosphorylated p38MAPK within the spinal cords of mice treated with CFA, which was attenuated by intrathecal GAT107 treatment. Importantly, GAT107 did not elicit motor impairment and continued to produce antinociceptive effects after subchronic administration in both phases of the formalin test. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Collectively, these results provide the first proof of principle that α7 ago-PAMs represent an effective pharmacological strategy for treating inflammatory and neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deniz Bagdas
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Jenny L Wilkerson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Abhijit Kulkarni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Wisam Toma
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Shakir AlSharari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zulfiye Gul
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Roger L Papke
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Ganesh A Thakur
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - M Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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1,3-diphenylpropan-1-ones as allosteric modulators of α7 nACh receptors with analgesic and antioxidant properties. Future Med Chem 2016; 8:731-49. [PMID: 27161515 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2015-0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Nicotine acethylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play critical roles in cognitive processes, neuroprotection and inflammation. RESULTS According to their substituents, 1,3-diphenylpropan-1-one derivatives act as α7 nAChRs negative allosteric modulators (NAM, OMe) or Type I positive allosteric modulators (PAMs, OH). Compounds 7 and 31 were the most effective (989 and 666% enhancement of ACh-induced currents) and potent (EC50: 12.9 and 6.85 μM) PAMs. They exhibited strong radical scavenging values. Compound 31, selective over other neuronal nAChR subtypes and with acceptable pharmacokinetic profile, showed antinociceptive effects in a model of inflammatory pain. CONCLUSION Compound 31 is a novel, potent and selective α7 nAChR PAM, displaying antioxidant and analgesic activities. The 1,3-diphenylpropan-1-one scaffold could be the base toward more advanced type I PAMs for the treatment of nAChR-mediated diseases.
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Bagdas D, Targowska-Duda KM, López JJ, Perez EG, Arias HR, Damaj MI. The Antinociceptive and Antiinflammatory Properties of 3-furan-2-yl-N-p-tolyl-acrylamide, a Positive Allosteric Modulator of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Mice. Anesth Analg 2016; 121:1369-77. [PMID: 26280585 DOI: 10.1213/ane.0000000000000902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) facilitate endogenous neurotransmission and/or enhance the efficacy of agonists without directly acting on the orthosteric binding sites. In this regard, selective α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor type II PAMs display antinociceptive activity in rodent chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain models. This study investigates whether 3-furan-2-yl-N-p-tolyl-acrylamide (PAM-2), a new putative α7-selective type II PAM, attenuates experimental inflammatory and neuropathic pains in mice. METHODS We tested the activity of PAM-2 after intraperitoneal administration in 3 pain assays: the carrageenan-induced inflammatory pain, the complete Freund adjuvant-induced inflammatory pain, and the chronic constriction injury-induced neuropathic pain in mice. We also tested whether PAM-2 enhanced the effects of the selective α7 agonist choline in the mouse carrageenan test given intrathecally. Because the experience of pain has both sensory and affective dimensions, we also evaluated the effects of PAM-2 on acetic acid-induced aversion by using the conditioned place aversion test. RESULTS We observed that systemic administration of PAM-2 significantly reversed mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in inflammatory and neuropathic pain models in a dose- and time-dependent manner without motor impairment. In addition, by attenuating the paw edema in inflammatory models, PAM-2 showed antiinflammatory properties. The antinociceptive effect of PAM-2 was inhibited by the selective competitive antagonist methyllycaconitine, indicating that the effect is mediated by α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Furthermore, PAM-2 enhanced the antiallodynic and antiinflammatory effects of choline, a selective α7 agonist, in the mouse carrageenan test. PAM-2 was also effective in reducing acetic acid-induced aversion in the conditioned place aversion assay. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that the administration of PAM-2, a new α7-selective type II PAM, reduces the neuropathic and inflammatory pain sensory and affective behaviors in the mouse. Thus, this drug may have therapeutic applications in the treatment and management of chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deniz Bagdas
- From the *Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; †Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey; ‡Department of Biopharmacy, Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Neuroengineering, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland; §Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Organic Chemistry, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; and ‖Department of Medical Education, California Northstate University College of Medicine, Elk Grove, California
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