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Oyama M, Watanabe S, Iwai T, Tanabe M. Selective inhibition of A-fiber-mediated excitatory transmission underlies the analgesic effects of KCNQ channel opening in the spinal dorsal horn. Neuropharmacology 2024; 254:109994. [PMID: 38750803 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.109994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Neuronal voltage-gated KCNQ (Kv7) channels, expressed centrally and peripherally, mediate low-threshold and non-inactivating M-currents responsible for the control of tonic excitability of mammalian neurons. Pharmacological opening of KCNQ channels has been reported to generate analgesic effects in animal models of neuropathic pain. Here, we examined the possible involvement of central KCNQ channels in the analgesic effects of retigabine, a KCNQ channel opener. Behaviorally, intraperitoneally applied retigabine exerted analgesic effects on thermal and mechanical hypersensitivity in male mice developing neuropathic pain after partial sciatic nerve ligation, which was antagonized by the KCNQ channel blocker XE991 preadministered intraperitoneally and intrathecally. Intrathecally applied retigabine also exerted analgesic effects that were inhibited by intrathecally injected XE991. We then explored the synaptic mechanisms underlying the analgesic effects of retigabine in the spinal dorsal horn. Whole-cell recordings were made from dorsal horn neurons in spinal slices with attached dorsal roots from adult male mice developing neuropathic pain, and the effects of retigabine on miniature and afferent-evoked postsynaptic currents were examined. Retigabine reduced the amplitude of A-fiber-mediated EPSCs without affecting C-fiber-mediated excitatory synaptic transmission. A-fiber-mediated EPSCs remained unaltered by retigabine in the presence of XE991, consistently with the behavioral findings. The frequency and amplitude of mEPSCs were not affected by retigabine. Thus, opening of KCNQ channels in the central terminals of primary afferent A-fibers inhibits excitatory synaptic transmission in the spinal dorsal horn, most likely contributing to the analgesic effect of retigabine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misa Oyama
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8641, Japan; Medicinal Research Laboratories, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8641, Japan
| | - Shun Watanabe
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8641, Japan; Medicinal Research Laboratories, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8641, Japan
| | - Takashi Iwai
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8641, Japan; Medicinal Research Laboratories, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8641, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Tanabe
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8641, Japan; Medicinal Research Laboratories, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8641, Japan.
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Lee CK, Nguyen HS, Kang SJ, Jeong SW. Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Altered Excitability of Cardiac Efferent Neurons in Cirrhotic Rats. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1722. [PMID: 39200187 PMCID: PMC11351538 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12081722] [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: 06/01/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Patients with cirrhosis often exhibit cardiac autonomic dysfunction (CAD), characterized by enhanced cardiac sympathetic activity and diminished cardiac vagal tone, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. This study delineates the cellular and molecular mechanisms associated with altered neuronal activities causing cirrhosis-induced CAD. Biliary and nonbiliary cirrhotic rats were produced by common bile duct ligation (CBDL) and intraperitoneal injections of thioacetamide (TAA), respectively. Three weeks after CBDL or TAA injection, the assessment of heart rate variability revealed autonomic imbalance in cirrhotic rats. We observed increased excitability in stellate ganglion (SG) neurons and decreased excitability in intracardiac ganglion (ICG) neurons in cirrhotic rats compared to sham-operated controls. Additionally, threshold, rheobase, and action potential duration exhibited opposite alterations in SG and ICG neurons, along with changes in afterhyperpolarization duration. A- and M-type K⁺ channels were significantly downregulated in SG neurons, while M-type K⁺ channels were upregulated, with downregulation of the N- and L-type Ca2⁺ channels in the ICG neurons of cirrhotic rats, both in transcript expression and functional activity. Collectively, these findings suggest that cirrhosis induces an imbalance between cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic neuronal activities via the differential regulation of K+ and Ca2+ channels. Thus, cirrhosis-induced CAD may be associated with impaired autonomic efferent functions within the homeostatic reflex arc that regulates cardiac functions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Seong-Woo Jeong
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju 26426, Republic of Korea; (C.-K.L.); (H.S.N.); (S.J.K.)
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Chuinsiri N, Siraboriphantakul N, Kendall L, Yarova P, Nile CJ, Song B, Obara I, Durham J, Telezhkin V. Calcium-sensing receptor regulates Kv7 channels via G i/o protein signalling and modulates excitability of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived nociceptive-like neurons. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:2676-2696. [PMID: 38627101 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16349] [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: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Neuropathic pain, a debilitating condition with unmet medical needs, can be characterised as hyperexcitability of nociceptive neurons caused by dysfunction of ion channels. Voltage-gated potassium channels type 7 (Kv7), responsible for maintaining neuronal resting membrane potential and thus excitability, reside under tight control of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is a GPCR that regulates the activity of numerous ion channels, but whether CaSR can control Kv7 channel function has been unexplored until now. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Experiments were conducted in recombinant cell models, mouse dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons and human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived nociceptive-like neurons using patch-clamp electrophysiology and molecular biology techniques. KEY RESULTS Our results demonstrate that CaSR is expressed in recombinant cell models, hiPSC-derived nociceptive-like neurons and mouse DRG neurons, and its activation induced depolarisation via Kv7.2/7.3 channel inhibition. The CaSR-Kv7.2/7.3 channel crosslink was mediated via the Gi/o protein-adenylate cyclase-cyclicAMP-protein kinase A signalling cascade. Suppression of CaSR function demonstrated a potential to rescue hiPSC-derived nociceptive-like neurons from algogenic cocktail-induced hyperexcitability. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS This study demonstrates that the CaSR-Kv7.2/7.3 channel crosslink, via a Gi/o protein signalling pathway, effectively regulates neuronal excitability, providing a feasible pharmacological target for neuronal hyperexcitability management in neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nontawat Chuinsiri
- School of Dental Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Institute of Dentistry, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
- Oral Health Center, Suranaree University of TechnologyHospital, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
| | | | - Luke Kendall
- School of Dental Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Polina Yarova
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Christopher J Nile
- School of Dental Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Bing Song
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- School of Dentistry, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Ilona Obara
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Justin Durham
- School of Dental Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Vsevolod Telezhkin
- School of Dental Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
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El Chemali L, Boutary S, Liu S, Liu GJ, Middleton RJ, Banati RB, Bahrenberg G, Rupprecht R, Schumacher M, Massaad-Massade L. GRT-X Stimulates Dorsal Root Ganglia Axonal Growth in Culture via TSPO and Kv7.2/3 Potassium Channel Activation. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7327. [PMID: 39000434 PMCID: PMC11242890 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
GRT-X, which targets both the mitochondrial translocator protein (TSPO) and the Kv7.2/3 (KCNQ2/3) potassium channels, has been shown to efficiently promote recovery from cervical spine injury. In the present work, we investigate the role of GRT-X and its two targets in the axonal growth of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Neurite outgrowth was quantified in DRG explant cultures prepared from wild-type C57BL6/J and TSPO-KO mice. TSPO was pharmacologically targeted with the agonist XBD173 and the Kv7 channels with the activator ICA-27243 and the inhibitor XE991. GRT-X efficiently stimulated DRG axonal growth at 4 and 8 days after its single administration. XBD173 also promoted axonal elongation, but only after 8 days and its repeated administration. In contrast, both ICA27243 and XE991 tended to decrease axonal elongation. In dissociated DRG neuron/Schwann cell co-cultures, GRT-X upregulated the expression of genes associated with axonal growth and myelination. In the TSPO-KO DRG cultures, the stimulatory effect of GRT-X on axonal growth was completely lost. However, GRT-X and XBD173 activated neuronal and Schwann cell gene expression after TSPO knockout, indicating the presence of additional targets warranting further investigation. These findings uncover a key role of the dual mode of action of GRT-X in the axonal elongation of DRG neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa El Chemali
- Maladies et Hormones du Système Nerveux, Inserm, Université Paris-Saclay, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Suzan Boutary
- Maladies et Hormones du Système Nerveux, Inserm, Université Paris-Saclay, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Song Liu
- Maladies et Hormones du Système Nerveux, Inserm, Université Paris-Saclay, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Guo-Jun Liu
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Kirrawee, NSW 2232, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Ryan J Middleton
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Kirrawee, NSW 2232, Australia
| | - Richard B Banati
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Gregor Bahrenberg
- Global Preclinical R&D, Grünenthal Innovation, Grünenthal GmbH, Zieglerstraße 6, D-52078 Aachen, Germany
| | - Rainer Rupprecht
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michael Schumacher
- Maladies et Hormones du Système Nerveux, Inserm, Université Paris-Saclay, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Liliane Massaad-Massade
- Maladies et Hormones du Système Nerveux, Inserm, Université Paris-Saclay, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
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Ahmed AI, Al-Nuaimi S, Mustafa A, Zeidan A, Agouni A, Djouhri L. K v7 Channel Activators Flupirtine and ML213 Alleviate Neuropathic Pain Behavior in the Streptozotocin Rat Model of Diabetic Neuropathy. J Pain Res 2024; 17:2267-2278. [PMID: 38947132 PMCID: PMC11214752 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s467535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background & Objective Chronic peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP) is a debilitating condition that is associated with many types of injury/diseases, including diabetes mellitus. Patients with longstanding diabetes develop diabetic PNP (DPNP), which is resilient to currently available drugs. The underlying molecular mechanisms of DPNP are still illusive, but Kv7 channels that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various types of chronic pain are likely to be involved. Indeed, using the streptozotocin (STZ) rat model of DPNP, we have previously shown that Kv7 activation with their non-selective activator retigabine attenuated neuropathic pain behavior suggesting that these channels are implicated in DPNP pathogenesis. Here, we evaluated, in the same STZ model, whether the more potent and more selective Kv7 channel openers flupirtine and ML213 attenuate STZ-induced pain hypersensitivity. Methods Male Sprague Dawley rats (250-300 g) were used. The STZ model involved a single injection of STZ (60 mg/kg, i.p.). Behavioral testing for mechanical and heat pain sensitivity was performed using a dynamic plantar aesthesiometer and Hargreaves analgesiometer, respectively. Results STZ rats exhibited behavioral signs of mechanical and heat hypersensitivity as indicated by significant decreases in the mean paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) and mean paw withdrawal latency (PWL), respectively, at 35 days post-STZ treatment. Single injections of flupirtine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) and ML213 (5 mg/kg, i.p.) to STZ rats (35-days after STZ treatment) caused significant increases in the mean PWT, but not PWL, indicating attenuation of mechanical, but not heat hypersensitivity. Both flupirtine and ML213 were as effective as the positive control gabapentin (10/kg, i.p.), and their anti-allodynic effects were prevented by the Kv7 channel-specific blocker XE991 (3 mg/kg, i.p.). Conclusion The findings suggest that Kv7 channels are involved in the mechanisms of mechanical but not heat hypersensitivity associated with DPNP, and that their activation may prove to be effective in alleviating DPNP symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashraf Ibrahim Ahmed
- Department of Basic Medical Science, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Salma Al-Nuaimi
- Department of Basic Medical Science, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ayman Mustafa
- Department of Basic Medical Science, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Asad Zeidan
- Department of Basic Medical Science, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Abdelali Agouni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Laiche Djouhri
- Department of Basic Medical Science, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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Zhan D, Zhang J, Su S, Ren X, Zhao S, Zang W, Cao J. TET1 Participates in Complete Freund's Adjuvant-induced Trigeminal Inflammatory Pain by Regulating Kv7.2 in a Mouse Model. Neurosci Bull 2024; 40:707-718. [PMID: 37973721 PMCID: PMC11178721 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01139-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Trigeminal inflammatory pain is one of the most severe pain-related disorders in humans; however, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the possible contribution of interaction between ten-eleven translocation methylcytosine dioxygenase 1 (TET1) and the voltage-gated K+ channel Kv7.2 (encoded by Kcnq2) to orofacial inflammatory pain in mice. We found that complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) injection reduced the expression of Kcnq2/Kv7.2 in the trigeminal ganglion (TG) and induced orofacial inflammatory pain. The involvement of Kv7.2 in CFA-induced orofacial pain was further confirmed by Kv7.2 knockdown or overexpression. Moreover, TET1 knockdown in Tet1flox/flox mice significantly reduced the expression of Kv7.2 and M currents in the TG and led to pain-like behaviors. Conversely, TET1 overexpression by lentivirus rescued the CFA-induced decreases of Kcnq2 and M currents and alleviated mechanical allodynia. Our data suggest that TET1 is implicated in CFA-induced trigeminal inflammatory pain by positively regulating Kv7.2 in TG neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dengcheng Zhan
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Songxue Su
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Xiuhua Ren
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Sen Zhao
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Weidong Zang
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Jing Cao
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
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Subedi A, Tiwari A, Etemad AF, Huang Y, Chatterjee B, McLeod SL, Lu Y, Gonzalez D, Ghosh K, Singh SK, Ruiz Echartea ME, Grimm SL, Coarfa C, Pan HL, Majumder S. Nerve injury inhibits Oprd1 and Cnr1 transcription through REST in primary sensory neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.17.579842. [PMID: 38585789 PMCID: PMC10996832 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.17.579842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
The transcription repressor REST in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) is upregulated by peripheral nerve injury and promotes the development of chronic pain. However, the genes targeted by REST in neuropathic pain development remain unclear. The expression levels of 4 opioid receptor (Oprm1, Oprd1, Oprl1, Oprk1) and the cannabinoid CB1 receptor (Cnr1) genes in the DRG regulate nociception. In this study, we determined the role of REST in the control of their expression in the DRG induced by spared nerve injury (SNI) in both male and female mice. Transcriptomic analyses of male mouse DRGs followed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analyses of both male and female mouse DRGs showed that SNI upregulated expression of Rest and downregulated mRNA levels of all 4 opioid receptor and Cnr1 genes, but Oprm1 was upregulated in female mice. Analysis of publicly available bioinformatic data suggested that REST binds to the promoter regions of Oprm1 and Cnr1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses indicated differing levels of REST at these promoters in male and female mice. Full-length Rest conditional knockout in primary sensory neurons reduced SNI-induced pain hypersensitivity and rescued the SNI-induced reduction in the expression of Oprd1 and Cnr1 in the DRG in both male and female mice. Our results suggest that nerve injury represses the transcription of Oprd1 and Cnr1 via REST in primary sensory neurons and that REST is a potential therapeutic target for neuropathic pain.
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Sun H, Undem BJ. Selective KCNQ2/3 Potassium Channel Opener ICA-069673 Inhibits Excitability in Mouse Vagal Sensory Neurons. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2024; 389:118-127. [PMID: 38290975 PMCID: PMC10949160 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Heightened excitability of vagal sensory neurons in inflammatory visceral diseases contributes to unproductive and difficult-to-treat neuronally based symptoms such as visceral pain and dysfunction. Identification of targets and modulators capable of regulating the excitability of vagal sensory neurons may lead to novel therapeutic options. KCNQ1-KCNQ5 genes encode KV7.1-7.5 potassium channel α-subunits. Homotetrameric or heterotetrameric KV7.2-7.5 channels can generate the so-called M-current (IM) known to decrease the excitability of neurons including visceral sensory neurons. This study aimed to address the hypothesis that KV7.2/7.3 channels are key regulators of vagal sensory neuron excitability by evaluating the effects of KCNQ2/3-selective activator, ICA-069673, on IM in mouse nodose neurons and determining its effects on excitability and action potential firings using patch clamp technique. The results showed that ICA-069673 enhanced IM density, accelerated the activation, and delayed the deactivation of M-channels in a concentration-dependent manner. ICA-069673 negatively shifted the voltage-dependent activation of IM and increased the maximal conductance. Consistent with its effects on IM, ICA-069673 induced a marked hyperpolarization of resting potential and reduced the input resistance. The hyperpolarizing effect was more pronounced in partially depolarized neurons. Moreover, ICA-069673 caused a 3-fold increase in the minimal amount of depolarizing current needed to evoke an action potential, and significantly limited the action potential firings in response to sustained suprathreshold stimulations. ICA-069673 had no effect on membrane currents when Kcnq2 and Kcnq3 were deleted. These results indicate that opening KCNQ2/3-mediated M-channels is sufficient to suppress the excitability and enhance spike accommodation in vagal visceral sensory neurons. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study supports the hypothesis that selectively activating KCNQ2/3-mediated M-channels is sufficient to suppress the excitability and action potential firings in vagal sensory neurons. These results provide evidence in support of further investigations into the treatment of various visceral disorders that involve nociceptor hyperexcitability with selective KCNQ2/3 M-channel openers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Sun
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Bradley J Undem
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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Eliav T, Benoliel R, Korczeniewska OA. Post-Traumatic Trigeminal Neuropathy: Neurobiology and Pathophysiology. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:167. [PMID: 38534437 DOI: 10.3390/biology13030167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Painful traumatic trigeminal neuropathy (PTTN) is a chronic neuropathic pain that may develop following injury to the trigeminal nerve. Etiologies include cranio-orofacial trauma that may result from dental, surgical, or anesthetic procedures or physical trauma, such as a motor vehicle accident. Following nerve injury, there are various mechanisms, including peripheral and central, as well as phenotypic changes and genetic predispositions that may contribute to the development of neuropathic pain. In this article, we review current literature pertaining to the cellular processes that occur following traumatic damage to the trigeminal nerve, also called cranial nerve V, that results in chronic neuropathic pain. We examine the neurobiology and pathophysiology based mostly on pre-clinical animal models of neuropathic/trigeminal pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tal Eliav
- Medical School for International Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel
| | - Rafael Benoliel
- Center for Orofacial Pain and Temporomandibular Disorders, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Room D-837, 110 Bergen Street, Newark, NJ 07101, USA
| | - Olga A Korczeniewska
- Center for Orofacial Pain and Temporomandibular Disorders, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Room D-837, 110 Bergen Street, Newark, NJ 07101, USA
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10
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Carroll AS, Park SB, Lin CSY, Taylor MS, Kwok F, Simon NG, Reilly MM, Kiernan MC, Vucic S. Axonal excitability as an early biomarker of nerve involvement in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis. Clin Neurophysiol 2024; 159:81-95. [PMID: 38377648 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2024.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The treatment of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis polyneuropathy (ATTRv-PN) has been revolutionised by genetic therapies, with dramatic improvements in patient outcomes. Whilst the optimal timing of treatment initiation remains unknown, early treatment is desirable. Consequently, the aim of the study was to develop biomarkers of early nerve dysfunction in ATTRv-PN. METHODS Ulnar motor and sensory axonal excitability studies were prospectively undertaken on 22 patients with pathogenic hereditary transthyretin amyloid (ATTRv) gene variants, 12 with large fibre neuropathy (LF+) and 10 without (LF-), with results compared to age- and sex-matched healthy controls. RESULTS In motor axons we identified a continuum of change from healthy controls, to LF- and LF+ ATTRv with progressive reduction in hyperpolarising threshold electrotonus (TEh40(10-20 ms): p = 0.04, TEh40(20-40 ms): p = 0.01 and TEh40(90-10 ms): p = 0.01), suggestive of membrane depolarisation. In sensory axons lower levels of subexcitability were observed on single (SubEx) and double pulse (SubEx2) recovery cycle testing in LF+ (SubEx: p = 0.015, SubEx2: p = 0.015, RC(2-1): p = 0.04) suggesting reduced nodal slow potassium conductance, which promotes sensory hyperexcitability, paraesthesia and pain. There were no differences in sensory or motor excitability parameters when comparing different ATTRv variants. CONCLUSIONS These progressive changes seen across the disease spectrum in ATTRv-PN suggest that axonal excitability has utility to identify early and progressive nerve dysfunction in ATTRv, regardless of genotype. SIGNIFICANCE Axonal excitability is a promising early biomarker of nerve dysfunction in ATTRv-PN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia S Carroll
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Translational Research Collective University of Sydney, and Department of Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Westmead Amyloidosis Centre, Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.
| | - Susanna B Park
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Cindy S Y Lin
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Translational Research Collective University of Sydney, and Department of Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mark S Taylor
- Westmead Amyloidosis Centre, Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Fiona Kwok
- Westmead Amyloidosis Centre, Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Neil G Simon
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mary M Reilly
- Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Matthew C Kiernan
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Translational Research Collective University of Sydney, and Department of Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Steve Vucic
- Brain and Nerve Centre, Concord Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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11
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Pethő G, Kántás B, Horváth Á, Pintér E. The Epigenetics of Neuropathic Pain: A Systematic Update. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17143. [PMID: 38138971 PMCID: PMC10743356 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics deals with alterations to the gene expression that occur without change in the nucleotide sequence in the DNA. Various covalent modifications of the DNA and/or the surrounding histone proteins have been revealed, including DNA methylation, histone acetylation, and methylation, which can either stimulate or inhibit protein expression at the transcriptional level. In the past decade, an exponentially increasing amount of data has been published on the association between epigenetic changes and the pathomechanism of pain, including its most challenging form, neuropathic pain. Epigenetic regulation of the chromatin by writer, reader, and eraser proteins has been revealed for diverse protein targets involved in the pathomechanism of neuropathic pain. They include receptors, ion channels, transporters, enzymes, cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, inflammasome proteins, etc. Most work has been invested in clarifying the epigenetic downregulation of mu opioid receptors and various K+ channels, two types of structures mediating neuronal inhibition. Conversely, epigenetic upregulation has been revealed for glutamate receptors, growth factors, and lymphokines involved in neuronal excitation. All these data cannot only help better understand the development of neuropathic pain but outline epigenetic writers, readers, and erasers whose pharmacological inhibition may represent a novel option in the treatment of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gábor Pethő
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti Str. 12., H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (B.K.); (E.P.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Pécs, Rókus Str. 2., H-7624 Pécs, Hungary;
| | - Boglárka Kántás
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti Str. 12., H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (B.K.); (E.P.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pécs, Édesanyák Str. 17., H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Ádám Horváth
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Pécs, Rókus Str. 2., H-7624 Pécs, Hungary;
| | - Erika Pintér
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti Str. 12., H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (B.K.); (E.P.)
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12
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Lee S, Jang IS. Menthol excites dural afferent neurons by inhibiting leak K + conductance in rats. Neurosci Lett 2023; 813:137427. [PMID: 37549867 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2023.137427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Menthol-a natural organic compound-is widely used for relieving various pain conditions including migraine. However, a high dose of menthol reportedly decreases pain thresholds and enhances pain responses. Accordingly, in the present study, we addressed the effect of menthol on the excitability of acutely isolated dural afferent neurons, which were identified with a fluorescent dye, using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Under a voltage-clamped condition, menthol altered the holding current levels in a concentration-dependent manner. The menthol-induced current (IMenthol) remained unaffected by the addition of selective transient receptor potential melastatin 8 antagonists. Moreover, the reversal potential of IMenthol was similar to the equilibrium potential of K+. IMenthol was accompanied by an increase in input resistance, thereby suggesting that menthol decreases the leak K+ conductance. Under a current-clamped condition, menthol caused depolarization of the membrane potential and decreased the threshold for the generation of action potential. While the IMenthol was substantially inhibited by 10 μM XE-991, a selective KV7 blocker, the M-current mediated by KV7 was not detected in the nociceptive neurons tested in the present study. Moreover, IMenthol decreased under acidic extracellular pH conditions or in the presence of 3 μM A-1899, a selective K2P3.1 and K2P9.1 blocker. The present results suggest that menthol inhibits leak K+ channels, possibly acid-sensitive two-pore domain K+ channels, thereby increasing the excitability of nociceptive sensory neurons. The resultant increase in neuron excitability may partially be responsible for the pronociceptive effect mediated by high menthol doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungbo Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41940, Republic of Korea
| | - Il-Sung Jang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41940, Republic of Korea; Brain Science & Engineering Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41940, Republic of Korea.
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13
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Higerd-Rusli GP, Tyagi S, Baker CA, Liu S, Dib-Hajj FB, Dib-Hajj SD, Waxman SG. Inflammation differentially controls transport of depolarizing Nav versus hyperpolarizing Kv channels to drive rat nociceptor activity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2215417120. [PMID: 36897973 PMCID: PMC10089179 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2215417120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammation causes pain by shifting the balance of ionic currents in nociceptors toward depolarization, leading to hyperexcitability. The ensemble of ion channels within the plasma membrane is regulated by processes including biogenesis, transport, and degradation. Thus, alterations in ion channel trafficking may influence excitability. Sodium channel NaV1.7 and potassium channel KV7.2 promote and oppose excitability in nociceptors, respectively. We used live-cell imaging to investigate mechanisms by which inflammatory mediators (IM) modulate the abundance of these channels at axonal surfaces through transcription, vesicular loading, axonal transport, exocytosis, and endocytosis. Inflammatory mediators induced a NaV1.7-dependent increase in activity in distal axons. Further, inflammation increased the abundance of NaV1.7, but not of KV7.2, at axonal surfaces by selectively increasing channel loading into anterograde transport vesicles and insertion at the membrane, without affecting retrograde transport. These results uncover a cell biological mechanism for inflammatory pain and suggest NaV1.7 trafficking as a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant P. Higerd-Rusli
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
- Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06510
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06510
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT06516
- Cellular and Molecular Physiology Graduate Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06520
| | - Sidharth Tyagi
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
- Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06510
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06510
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT06516
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Graduate Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06520
| | - Christopher A. Baker
- Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06510
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06510
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT06516
| | - Shujun Liu
- Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06510
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06510
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT06516
| | - Fadia B. Dib-Hajj
- Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06510
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06510
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT06516
| | - Sulayman D. Dib-Hajj
- Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06510
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06510
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT06516
| | - Stephen G. Waxman
- Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06510
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06510
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT06516
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14
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Paclitaxel Inhibits KCNQ Channels in Primary Sensory Neurons to Initiate the Development of Painful Peripheral Neuropathy. Cells 2022; 11:cells11244067. [PMID: 36552832 PMCID: PMC9776748 DOI: 10.3390/cells11244067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer patients undergoing paclitaxel infusion usually experience peripheral nerve degeneration and serious neuropathic pain termed paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN). However, alterations in the dose or treatment schedule for paclitaxel do not eliminate PIPN, and no therapies are available for PIPN, despite numerous studies to uncover the mechanisms underlying the development/maintenance of this condition. Therefore, we aimed to uncover a novel mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of PIPN. Clinical studies suggest that acute over excitation of primary sensory neurons is linked to the pathogenesis of PIPN. We found that paclitaxel-induced acute hyperexcitability of primary sensory neurons results from the paclitaxel-induced inhibition of KCNQ potassium channels (mainly KCNQ2), found abundantly in sensory neurons and axons. We found that repeated application of XE-991, a specific KCNQ channel blocker, induced PIPN-like alterations in rats, including mechanical hypersensitivity and degeneration of peripheral nerves, as detected by both morphological and behavioral assays. In contrast, genetic deletion of KCNQ2 from peripheral sensory neurons in mice significantly attenuated the development of paclitaxel-induced peripheral sensory fiber degeneration and chronic pain. These findings may lead to a better understanding of the causes of PIPN and provide an impetus for developing new classes of KCNQ activators for its therapeutic treatment.
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15
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Emerging mechanisms involving brain Kv7 channel in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 206:115318. [PMID: 36283445 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hypertension is a prevalent health problem inducing many organ damages. The pathogenesis of hypertension involves a complex integration of different organ systems including the brain. The elevated sympathetic nerve activity is closely related to the etiology of hypertension. Ion channels are critical regulators of neuronal excitability. Several mechanisms have been proposed to contribute to hypothalamic-driven elevated sympathetic activity, including altered ion channel function. Recent findings indicate one of the voltage-gated potassium channels, Kv7 channels (M channels), plays a vital role in regulating cardiovascular-related neurons activity, and the expression of Kv7 channels is downregulated in hypertension. This review highlights recent findings that the Kv7 channels in the brain, blood vessels, and kidneys are emerging targets involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension, suggesting new therapeutic targets for treating drug-resistant, neurogenic hypertension.
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16
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Zhang H, Li H, Lu M, Wang S, Ma X, Wang F, Liu J, Li X, Yang H, Zhang F, Shen H, Buckley NJ, Gamper N, Yamoah EN, Lv P. Repressor element 1-silencing transcription factor deficiency yields profound hearing loss through K v7.4 channel upsurge in auditory neurons and hair cells. eLife 2022; 11:76754. [PMID: 36125121 PMCID: PMC9525063 DOI: 10.7554/elife.76754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Repressor element 1-silencing transcription factor (REST) is a transcriptional repressor that recognizes neuron-restrictive silencer elements in the mammalian genomes in a tissue- and cell-specific manner. The identity of REST target genes and molecular details of how REST regulates them are emerging. We performed conditional null deletion of Rest (cKO), mainly restricted to murine hair cells (HCs) and auditory neurons (aka spiral ganglion neurons [SGNs]). Null inactivation of full-length REST did not affect the development of normal HCs and SGNs but manifested as progressive hearing loss in adult mice. We found that the inactivation of REST resulted in an increased abundance of Kv7.4 channels at the transcript, protein, and functional levels. Specifically, we found that SGNs and HCs from Rest cKO mice displayed increased Kv7.4 expression and augmented Kv7 currents; SGN’s excitability was also significantly reduced. Administration of a compound with Kv7.4 channel activator activity, fasudil, recapitulated progressive hearing loss in mice. In contrast, inhibition of the Kv7 channels by XE991 rescued the auditory phenotype of Rest cKO mice. Previous studies identified some loss-of-function mutations within the Kv7.4-coding gene, Kcnq4, as a causative factor for progressive hearing loss in mice and humans. Thus, the findings reveal that a critical homeostatic Kv7.4 channel level is required for proper auditory functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiwei Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Hebei, China
| | - Hongchen Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Hebei, China
| | - Mingshun Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Hebei, China
| | - Shengnan Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Hebei, China
| | - Xueya Ma
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Hebei, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Hebei, China
| | - Jiaxi Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Hebei, China
| | - Xinyu Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Hebei, China
| | - Haichao Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Hebei, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Hebei, China
| | - Haitao Shen
- Laboratory of Pathology, Hebei Medical University, Hebei, China
| | - Noel J Buckley
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nikita Gamper
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Ebenezer N Yamoah
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, United States
| | - Ping Lv
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Hebei, China
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17
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Tracy GC, Wilton AR, Rhodes JS, Chung HJ. Heterozygous Deletion of Epilepsy Gene KCNQ2 Has Negligible Effects on Learning and Memory. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:930216. [PMID: 35928789 PMCID: PMC9344800 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.930216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal Kv7/Potassium Voltage-Gated Channel Subfamily Q (KCNQ) potassium channels underlie M-current that potently suppresses repetitive and burst firing of action potentials (APs). They are mostly heterotetramers of Kv7.2 and Kv7.3 subunits in the hippocampus and cortex, the brain regions important for cognition and behavior. Underscoring their critical roles in inhibiting neuronal excitability, autosomal dominantly inherited mutations in Potassium Voltage-Gated Channel Subfamily Q Member 2 (KCNQ2) and Potassium Voltage-Gated Channel Subfamily Q Member 3 (KCNQ3) genes are associated with benign familial neonatal epilepsy (BFNE) in which most seizures spontaneously remit within months without cognitive deficits. De novo mutations in KCNQ2 also cause epileptic encephalopathy (EE), which is characterized by persistent seizures that are often drug refractory, neurodevelopmental delay, and intellectual disability. Heterozygous expression of EE variants of KCNQ2 is recently shown to induce spontaneous seizures and cognitive deficit in mice, although it is unclear whether this cognitive deficit is caused directly by Kv7 disruption or by persistent seizures in the developing brain as a consequence of Kv7 disruption. In this study, we examined the role of Kv7 channels in learning and memory by behavioral phenotyping of the KCNQ2+/- mice, which lack a single copy of KCNQ2 but dos not display spontaneous seizures. We found that both KCNQ2+/- and wild-type (WT) mice showed comparable nociception in the tail-flick assay and fear-induced learning and memory during a passive inhibitory avoidance (IA) test and contextual fear conditioning (CFC). Both genotypes displayed similar object location and recognition memory. These findings together provide evidence that heterozygous loss of KCNQ2 has minimal effects on learning or memory in mice in the absence of spontaneous seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory C. Tracy
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Angelina R. Wilton
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Justin S. Rhodes
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Hee Jung Chung
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
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18
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Higerd-Rusli GP, Alsaloum M, Tyagi S, Sarveswaran N, Estacion M, Akin EJ, Dib-Hajj FB, Liu S, Sosniak D, Zhao P, Dib-Hajj SD, Waxman SG. Depolarizing Na V and Hyperpolarizing K V Channels Are Co-Trafficked in Sensory Neurons. J Neurosci 2022; 42:4794-4811. [PMID: 35589395 PMCID: PMC9188389 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0058-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal excitability relies on coordinated action of functionally distinction channels. Voltage-gated sodium (NaV) and potassium (KV) channels have distinct but complementary roles in firing action potentials: NaV channels provide depolarizing current while KV channels provide hyperpolarizing current. Mutations and dysfunction of multiple NaV and KV channels underlie disorders of excitability, including pain and epilepsy. Modulating ion channel trafficking may offer a potential therapeutic strategy for these diseases. A fundamental question, however, is whether these channels with distinct functional roles are transported independently or packaged together in the same vesicles in sensory axons. We have used Optical Pulse-Chase Axonal Long-distance imaging to investigate trafficking of NaV and KV channels and other axonal proteins from distinct functional classes in live rodent sensory neurons (from male and female rats). We show that, similar to NaV1.7 channels, NaV1.8 and KV7.2 channels are transported in Rab6a-positive vesicles, and that each of the NaV channel isoforms expressed in healthy, mature sensory neurons (NaV1.6, NaV1.7, NaV1.8, and NaV1.9) is cotransported in the same vesicles. Further, we show that multiple axonal membrane proteins with different physiological functions (NaV1.7, KV7.2, and TNFR1) are cotransported in the same vesicles. However, vesicular packaging of axonal membrane proteins is not indiscriminate, since another axonal membrane protein (NCX2) is transported in separate vesicles. These results shed new light on the development and organization of sensory neuron membranes, revealing complex sorting of axonal proteins with diverse physiological functions into specific transport vesicles.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Normal neuronal excitability is dependent on precise regulation of membrane proteins, including NaV and KV channels, and imbalance in the level of these channels at the plasma membrane could lead to excitability disorders. Ion channel trafficking could potentially be targeted therapeutically, which would require better understanding of the mechanisms underlying trafficking of functionally diverse channels. Optical Pulse-chase Axonal Long-distance imaging in live neurons permitted examination of the specificity of ion channel trafficking, revealing co-packaging of axonal proteins with opposing physiological functions into the same transport vesicles. This suggests that additional trafficking mechanisms are necessary to regulate levels of surface channels, and reveals an important consideration for therapeutic strategies that target ion channel trafficking for the treatment of excitability disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant P Higerd-Rusli
- MD/PhD Program
- Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research and
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516
| | - Matthew Alsaloum
- MD/PhD Program
- Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research and
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516
| | - Sidharth Tyagi
- MD/PhD Program
- Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research and
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516
| | - Nivedita Sarveswaran
- Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research and
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516
| | - Mark Estacion
- Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research and
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516
| | - Elizabeth J Akin
- Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research and
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516
| | - Fadia B Dib-Hajj
- Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research and
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516
| | - Shujun Liu
- Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research and
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516
| | - Daniel Sosniak
- Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research and
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516
| | - Peng Zhao
- Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research and
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516
| | - Sulayman D Dib-Hajj
- Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research and
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516
| | - Stephen G Waxman
- Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research and
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516
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19
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Roza C, Bernal L. Electrophysiological characterization of ectopic spontaneous discharge in axotomized and intact fibers upon nerve transection: a role in spontaneous pain? Pflugers Arch 2022; 474:387-396. [PMID: 35088129 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-021-02655-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Many patients experience positive symptoms after traumatic nerve injury. Despite the increasing number of experimental studies in models of peripheral neuropathy and the knowledge acquired, most of these patients lack an effective treatment for their chronic pain. One possible explanation might be that most of the preclinical studies focused on the development of mechanical or thermal allodynia/hyperalgesia, neglecting that most of the patients with peripheral neuropathies complain mostly about spontaneous forms of pains. Here, we summarize the aberrant electrophysiological behavior of peripheral nerve fibers recorded in experimental models, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, and their relationship with the symptoms reported by patients. Upon nerve section, axotomized but also intact fibers develop ectopic spontaneous activity. Most interestingly, a proportion of axotomized fibers might present receptive fields in the skin far beyond the site of damage, indicative of a functional cross talk between neuromatose and intact fibers. All these features can be linked with some of the symptoms that neuropathic patients experience. Furthermore, we spotlight the consequence of primary afferents with different patterns of spontaneous discharge on the neural code and its relationship with chronic pain states. With this article, readers will be able to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms that might underlie some of the symptoms that experience neuropathic patients, with a special focus on spontaneous pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Roza
- Dpto. Biología de Sistemas, Edificio de Medicina Universidad de Alcalá, 28871, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
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20
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Alles SRA, Smith PA. Peripheral Voltage-Gated Cation Channels in Neuropathic Pain and Their Potential as Therapeutic Targets. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2021; 2:750583. [PMID: 35295464 PMCID: PMC8915663 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2021.750583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The persistence of increased excitability and spontaneous activity in injured peripheral neurons is imperative for the development and persistence of many forms of neuropathic pain. This aberrant activity involves increased activity and/or expression of voltage-gated Na+ and Ca2+ channels and hyperpolarization activated cyclic nucleotide gated (HCN) channels as well as decreased function of K+ channels. Because they display limited central side effects, peripherally restricted Na+ and Ca2+ channel blockers and K+ channel activators offer potential therapeutic approaches to pain management. This review outlines the current status and future therapeutic promise of peripherally acting channel modulators. Selective blockers of Nav1.3, Nav1.7, Nav1.8, Cav3.2, and HCN2 and activators of Kv7.2 abrogate signs of neuropathic pain in animal models. Unfortunately, their performance in the clinic has been disappointing; some substances fail to meet therapeutic end points whereas others produce dose-limiting side effects. Despite this, peripheral voltage-gated cation channels retain their promise as therapeutic targets. The way forward may include (i) further structural refinement of K+ channel activators such as retigabine and ASP0819 to improve selectivity and limit toxicity; use or modification of Na+ channel blockers such as vixotrigine, PF-05089771, A803467, PF-01247324, VX-150 or arachnid toxins such as Tap1a; the use of Ca2+ channel blockers such as TTA-P2, TTA-A2, Z 944, ACT709478, and CNCB-2; (ii) improving methods for assessing "pain" as opposed to nociception in rodent models; (iii) recognizing sex differences in pain etiology; (iv) tailoring of therapeutic approaches to meet the symptoms and etiology of pain in individual patients via quantitative sensory testing and other personalized medicine approaches; (v) targeting genetic and biochemical mechanisms controlling channel expression using anti-NGF antibodies such as tanezumab or re-purposed drugs such as vorinostat, a histone methyltransferase inhibitor used in the management of T-cell lymphoma, or cercosporamide a MNK 1/2 inhibitor used in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis; (vi) combination therapy using drugs that are selective for different channel types or regulatory processes; (vii) directing preclinical validation work toward the use of human or human-derived tissue samples; and (viii) application of molecular biological approaches such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sascha R A Alles
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Peter A Smith
- Department of Pharmacology, Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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21
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Butler-Ryan R, Wood IC. The functions of repressor element 1-silencing transcription factor in models of epileptogenesis and post-ischemia. Metab Brain Dis 2021; 36:1135-1150. [PMID: 33813634 PMCID: PMC8272694 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-021-00719-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a debilitating neurological disorder characterised by recurrent seizures for which 30% of patients are refractory to current treatments. The genetic and molecular aetiologies behind epilepsy are under investigation with the goal of developing new epilepsy medications. The transcriptional repressor REST (Repressor Element 1-Silencing Transcription factor) is a focus of interest as it is consistently upregulated in epilepsy patients and following brain insult in animal models of epilepsy and ischemia. This review analyses data from different epilepsy models and discusses the contribution of REST to epileptogenesis. We propose that in healthy brains REST acts in a protective manner to homeostatically downregulate increases in excitability, to protect against seizure through downregulation of BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) and its receptor, TrkB (Tropomyosin receptor kinase B). However, in epilepsy patients and post-seizure, REST may increase to a larger degree, which allows downregulation of the glutamate receptor subunit GluR2. This leads to AMPA glutamate receptors lacking GluR2 subunits, which have increased permeability to Ca2+, causing excitotoxicity, cell death and seizure. This concept highlights therapeutic potential of REST modulation through gene therapy in epilepsy patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Butler-Ryan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, The University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT UK
| | - Ian C. Wood
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, The University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT UK
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22
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Pereira V, Lamoine S, Cuménal M, Lolignier S, Aissouni Y, Pizzoccaro A, Prival L, Balayssac D, Eschalier A, Bourinet E, Busserolles J. Epigenetics Involvement in Oxaliplatin-Induced Potassium Channel Transcriptional Downregulation and Hypersensitivity. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 58:3575-3587. [PMID: 33772465 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02361-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Peripheral neuropathy is the most frequent dose-limiting adverse effect of oxaliplatin. Acute pain symptoms that are induced or exacerbated by cold occur in almost all patients immediately following the first infusions. Evidence has shown that oxaliplatin causes ion channel expression modulations in dorsal root ganglia neurons, which are thought to contribute to peripheral hypersensitivity. Most dysregulated genes encode ion channels involved in cold and mechanical perception, noteworthy members of a sub-group of potassium channels of the K2P family, TREK and TRAAK. Downregulation of these K2P channels has been identified as an important tuner of acute oxaliplatin-induced hypersensitivity. We investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying this peripheral dysregulation in a murine model of neuropathic pain triggered by a single oxaliplatin administration. We found that oxaliplatin-mediated TREK-TRAAK downregulation, as well as downregulation of other K+ channels of the K2P and Kv families, involves a transcription factor known as the neuron-restrictive silencer factor (NRSF) and its epigenetic co-repressors histone deacetylases (HDACs). NRSF knockdown was able to prevent most of these K+ channel mRNA downregulation in mice dorsal root ganglion neurons as well as oxaliplatin-induced acute cold and mechanical hypersensitivity. Interestingly, pharmacological inhibition of class I HDAC reproduces the antinociceptive effects of NRSF knockdown and leads to an increased K+ channel expression in oxaliplatin-treated mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Pereira
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Inserm UMR-U1107, Neuro-Dol, 28, pl. H.Dunant, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- Institut Analgesia, Faculté de Médecine, BP38, F-63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Sylvain Lamoine
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Inserm UMR-U1107, Neuro-Dol, 28, pl. H.Dunant, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- Institut Analgesia, Faculté de Médecine, BP38, F-63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Mélissa Cuménal
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Inserm UMR-U1107, Neuro-Dol, 28, pl. H.Dunant, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- Institut Analgesia, Faculté de Médecine, BP38, F-63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Stéphane Lolignier
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Inserm UMR-U1107, Neuro-Dol, 28, pl. H.Dunant, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- Institut Analgesia, Faculté de Médecine, BP38, F-63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Youssef Aissouni
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Inserm UMR-U1107, Neuro-Dol, 28, pl. H.Dunant, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- Institut Analgesia, Faculté de Médecine, BP38, F-63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Anne Pizzoccaro
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS UMR-5203, INSERM U1091, F-34094, Montpellier, France
| | - Laetitia Prival
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Inserm UMR-U1107, Neuro-Dol, 28, pl. H.Dunant, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- Institut Analgesia, Faculté de Médecine, BP38, F-63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - David Balayssac
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Inserm UMR-U1107, Neuro-Dol, 28, pl. H.Dunant, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- Institut Analgesia, Faculté de Médecine, BP38, F-63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Alain Eschalier
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Inserm UMR-U1107, Neuro-Dol, 28, pl. H.Dunant, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- Institut Analgesia, Faculté de Médecine, BP38, F-63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Emmanuel Bourinet
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS UMR-5203, INSERM U1091, F-34094, Montpellier, France
| | - Jérôme Busserolles
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Inserm UMR-U1107, Neuro-Dol, 28, pl. H.Dunant, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
- Institut Analgesia, Faculté de Médecine, BP38, F-63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
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23
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Dwivedi D, Bhalla US. Physiology and Therapeutic Potential of SK, H, and M Medium AfterHyperPolarization Ion Channels. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:658435. [PMID: 34149352 PMCID: PMC8209339 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.658435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
SK, HCN, and M channels are medium afterhyperpolarization (mAHP)-mediating ion channels. The three channels co-express in various brain regions, and their collective action strongly influences cellular excitability. However, significant diversity exists in the expression of channel isoforms in distinct brain regions and various subcellular compartments, which contributes to an equally diverse set of specific neuronal functions. The current review emphasizes the collective behavior of the three classes of mAHP channels and discusses how these channels function together although they play specialized roles. We discuss the biophysical properties of these channels, signaling pathways that influence the activity of the three mAHP channels, various chemical modulators that alter channel activity and their therapeutic potential in treating various neurological anomalies. Additionally, we discuss the role of mAHP channels in the pathophysiology of various neurological diseases and how their modulation can alleviate some of the symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepanjali Dwivedi
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, GKVK Campus, Bengaluru, India.,Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Stanley Center at the Broad, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Upinder S Bhalla
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, GKVK Campus, Bengaluru, India
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24
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Wright AB, Sukhanova KY, Elmslie KS. K V7 channels are potential regulators of the exercise pressor reflex. J Neurophysiol 2021; 126:1-10. [PMID: 34038189 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00700.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The exercise pressor reflex (EPR) originates in skeletal muscle and is activated by exercise-induced signals to increase arterial blood pressure and cardiac output. Muscle ischemia can elicit the EPR, which can be inappropriately activated in patients with peripheral vascular disease or heart failure to increase the incidence of myocardial infarction. We seek to better understand the receptor/channels that control excitability of group III and group IV muscle afferent fibers that give rise to the EPR. Bradykinin (BK) is released within contracting muscle and can evoke the EPR. However, the mechanism is incompletely understood. KV7 channels strongly regulate neuronal excitability and are inhibited by BK. We have identified KV7 currents in muscle afferent neurons by their characteristic activation/deactivation kinetics, enhancement by the KV7 activator retigabine, and block by KV7 specific inhibitor XE991. The blocking of KV7 current by different XE991 concentrations suggests that the KV7 current is generated by both KV7.2/7.3 (high affinity) and KV7.5 (low affinity) channels. The KV7 current was inhibited by 300 nM BK in neurons with diameters consistent with both group III and group IV afferents. The inhibition of KV7 by BK could be a mechanism by which this metabolic mediator generates the EPR. Furthermore, our results suggest that KV7 channel activators such as retigabine, could be used to reduce cardiac stress resulting from the exacerbated EPR in patients with cardiovascular disease.NEW & NOTEWORTHY KV7 channels control neuronal excitability. We show that these channels are expressed in muscle afferents and generate currents that are blocked by XE991 and bradykinin (BK). The XE991 block suggests that KV7 current is generated by KV7.2/3 and KV7.5 channels. The BK inhibition of KV7 channels may explain how BK activates the exercise pressor reflex (EPR). Retigabine can enhance KV7 current, which could help control the inappropriately activated EPR in patients with cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew B Wright
- The Baker Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, A.T. Still University of Health Sciences, Kirksville, Missouri
| | - Khrystyna Yu Sukhanova
- The Baker Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, A.T. Still University of Health Sciences, Kirksville, Missouri
| | - Keith S Elmslie
- The Baker Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, A.T. Still University of Health Sciences, Kirksville, Missouri
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25
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Wang J, Liu Y, Hu F, Yang J, Guo X, Hou X, Ju C, Wang K. Activation of Neuronal Voltage-Gated Potassium Kv7/KCNQ/M-Current by a Novel Channel Opener SCR2682 for Alleviation of Chronic Pain. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2021; 377:20-28. [DOI: 10.1124/jpet.120.000357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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26
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Liu Y, Bian X, Wang K. Pharmacological Activation of Neuronal Voltage-Gated Kv7/KCNQ/M-Channels for Potential Therapy of Epilepsy and Pain. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2021; 267:231-251. [PMID: 33837465 DOI: 10.1007/164_2021_458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Native M-current is a low-threshold, slowly activating potassium current that exerts an inhibitory control over neuronal excitability. The M-channel is primarily co-assembled by heterotetrameric Kv7.2/KCNQ2 and Kv7.3/KCNQ3 subunits that are specifically expressed in the brain and peripheral nociceptive and visceral sensory neurons in the spinal cord. Reduction of M-channel function leads to neuronal hyperexcitability that defines the fundamental mechanism of neurological disorders such as epilepsy and pain, indicating that pharmacological activation of Kv7/KCNQ/M-channels may serve the basis for the therapy. The well-known KCNQ opener retigabine (ezogabine or Potiga) was approved by FDA in 2011 as an anticonvulsant used for an adjunctive treatment of partial epilepsies. Unfortunately, retigabine was discontinued in 2017 due to its side effects of blue-colored appearance of the skin and eyes after prolonged intake. In addition, flupirtine, a structural derivative of retigabine and a centrally acting non-opioid analgesic, was also withdrawn in 2018 for liver toxicity. Fortunately, these side effects are compound-structures related and can be avoided. Thus, further identification and development of novel potent and selective Kv7 channel openers may lead to an effective therapy with improved safety window for anti-epilepsy and anti-nociception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yani Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Qingdao University School of Pharmacy, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiling Bian
- Department of Pharmacology, Peking University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - KeWei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Qingdao University School of Pharmacy, Qingdao, China. .,Institute of Innovative Drugs Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
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27
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Abstract
Kv7.1-Kv7.5 (KCNQ1-5) K+ channels are voltage-gated K+ channels with major roles in neurons, muscle cells and epithelia where they underlie physiologically important K+ currents, such as neuronal M current and cardiac IKs. Specific biophysical properties of Kv7 channels make them particularly well placed to control the activity of excitable cells. Indeed, these channels often work as 'excitability breaks' and are targeted by various hormones and modulators to regulate cellular activity outputs. Genetic deficiencies in all five KCNQ genes result in human excitability disorders, including epilepsy, arrhythmias, deafness and some others. Not surprisingly, this channel family attracts considerable attention as potential drug targets. Here we will review biophysical properties and tissue expression profile of Kv7 channels, discuss recent advances in the understanding of their structure as well as their role in various neurological, cardiovascular and other diseases and pathologies. We will also consider a scope for therapeutic targeting of Kv7 channels for treatment of the above health conditions.
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28
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Changes in expression of Kv7.5 and Kv7.2 channels in dorsal root ganglion neurons in the streptozotocin rat model of painful diabetic neuropathy. Neurosci Lett 2020; 736:135277. [PMID: 32739272 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135277] [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] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP), the most debilitating complication of diabetes mellitus, is resistant to current therapy. The pathogenesis of DPNP is still elusive, but several mechanisms have been proposed including abnormal hyperexcitability of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. The underlying molecular mechanisms of such aberrant hyperexcitability are incompletely understood. Using the streptozotocin (STZ) rat model of DPNP, we have recently provided evidence implicating neuronal Kv7 channels that normally exert a powerful stabilizing influence on neuronal excitability, in the abnormal hyperexcitability of DRG neurons and in pain hypersensitivity associated with DPNP. In the present immunohistochemical study, we sought to determine whether Kv7.2 and/or Kv7.5 channel expression is altered in DRG neurons in STZ rats. We found 35 days post-STZ: (1) a significant decrease in Kv7.5-immunoreactivity in small (<30 μm) DRG neurons (both IB4 positive and IB4 negative) and medium-sized (30-40 μm) neurons, and (2) a significant increase in Kv7.2-immunoreactivity in small (<30 μm) neurons, and a non-significant increase in medium/large neurons. The decrease in Kv7.5 channel expression in small and medium-sized DRG neurons in STZ rats is likely to contribute to the mechanisms of hyperexcitability of these neurons and thereby to the resulting pain hypersensitivity associated with DPNP. The upregulation of Kv7.2 subunit in small DRG neurons may be an activity dependent compensatory mechanism to limit STZ-induced hyperexcitability of DRG neurons and the associated pain hypersensitivity. The findings support the notion that Kv7 channels may represent a novel target for DPNP treatment.
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29
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Smith PA. K + Channels in Primary Afferents and Their Role in Nerve Injury-Induced Pain. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:566418. [PMID: 33093824 PMCID: PMC7528628 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.566418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensory abnormalities generated by nerve injury, peripheral neuropathy or disease are often expressed as neuropathic pain. This type of pain is frequently resistant to therapeutic intervention and may be intractable. Numerous studies have revealed the importance of enduring increases in primary afferent excitability and persistent spontaneous activity in the onset and maintenance of peripherally induced neuropathic pain. Some of this activity results from modulation, increased activity and /or expression of voltage-gated Na+ channels and hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels. K+ channels expressed in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) include delayed rectifiers (Kv1.1, 1.2), A-channels (Kv1.4, 3.3, 3.4, 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3), KCNQ or M-channels (Kv7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5), ATP-sensitive channels (KIR6.2), Ca2+-activated K+ channels (KCa1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 3.1), Na+-activated K+ channels (KCa4.1 and 4.2) and two pore domain leak channels (K2p; TWIK related channels). Function of all K+ channel types is reduced via a multiplicity of processes leading to altered expression and/or post-translational modification. This also increases excitability of DRG cell bodies and nociceptive free nerve endings, alters axonal conduction and increases neurotransmitter release from primary afferent terminals in the spinal dorsal horn. Correlation of these cellular changes with behavioral studies provides almost indisputable evidence for K+ channel dysfunction in the onset and maintenance of neuropathic pain. This idea is underlined by the observation that selective impairment of just one subtype of DRG K+ channel can produce signs of pain in vivo. Whilst it is established that various mediators, including cytokines and growth factors bring about injury-induced changes in DRG function and excitability, evidence presently available points to a seminal role for interleukin 1β (IL-1β) in control of K+ channel function. Despite the current state of knowledge, attempts to target K+ channels for therapeutic pain management have met with limited success. This situation may change with the advent of personalized medicine. Identification of specific sensory abnormalities and genetic profiling of individual patients may predict therapeutic benefit of K+ channel activators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A. Smith
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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30
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Gopalsamy B, Chia JSM, Farouk AAO, Sulaiman MR, Perimal EK. Zerumbone-Induced Analgesia Modulated via Potassium Channels and Opioid Receptors in Chronic Constriction Injury-Induced Neuropathic Pain. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25173880. [PMID: 32858809 PMCID: PMC7503342 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25173880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Zerumbone, a monocyclic sesquiterpene from the wild ginger plant Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith, attenuates allodynia and hyperalgesia. Currently, its mechanisms of action in neuropathic pain conditions remain unclear. This study examines the involvement of potassium channels and opioid receptors in zerumbone-induced analgesia in a chronic constriction injury (CCI) neuropathic pain mice model. Male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were subjected to CCI and behavioral responses were tested on day 14. Responses toward mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were tested with von Frey's filament and Hargreaves' tests, respectively. Symptoms of neuropathic pain were significantly alleviated following treatment with zerumbone (10 mg/kg; intraperitoneal, i.p.). However, when the voltage-dependent K+ channel blocker tetraethylammonium (TEA, 4 mg/kg; i.p.), ATP-sensitive K+ channel blocker, glibenclamide (GLIB, 10 mg/kg; i.p.); small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel inhibitor apamin (APA, 0.04 mg/kg; i.p.), or large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel inhibitor charybdotoxin (CHAR, 0.02 mg/kg; i.p.) was administered prior to zerumbone (10 mg/kg; i.p.), the antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic effects of zerumbone were significantly reversed. Additionally, non-specific opioid receptors antagonist, naloxone (NAL, 10 mg/kg; i.p.), selective µ-, δ- and κ-opioid receptor antagonists; β-funaltrexamine (β-FN, 40 mg/kg; i.p.), naltrindole (20 mg/kg; s.c.), nor-binaltorphamine (10 mg/kg; s.c.) respectively attenuated the antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic effects of zerumbone. This outcome clearly demonstrates the participation of potassium channels and opioid receptors in the antineuropathic properties of zerumbone. As various clinically used neuropathic pain drugs also share this similar mechanism, this compound is, therefore, a highly potential substitute to these therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Banulata Gopalsamy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; (B.G.); (A.A.O.F.); (M.R.S.)
| | - Jasmine Siew Min Chia
- Centre for Community Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia;
| | - Ahmad Akira Omar Farouk
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; (B.G.); (A.A.O.F.); (M.R.S.)
| | - Mohd Roslan Sulaiman
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; (B.G.); (A.A.O.F.); (M.R.S.)
| | - Enoch Kumar Perimal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; (B.G.); (A.A.O.F.); (M.R.S.)
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5000, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +61-603-8947-2774
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31
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Dysregulated Glial Differentiation in Schizophrenia May Be Relieved by Suppression of SMAD4- and REST-Dependent Signaling. Cell Rep 2020; 27:3832-3843.e6. [PMID: 31242417 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.05.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2018] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytic differentiation is developmentally impaired in patients with childhood-onset schizophrenia (SCZ). To determine why, we used genetic gain- and loss-of-function studies to establish the contributions of differentially expressed transcriptional regulators to the defective differentiation of glial progenitor cells (GPCs) produced from SCZ patient-derived induced pluripotent cells (iPSCs). Negative regulators of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathway were upregulated in SCZ GPCs, including BAMBI, FST, and GREM1, whose overexpression retained SCZ GPCs at the progenitor stage. SMAD4 knockdown (KD) suppressed the production of these BMP inhibitors by SCZ GPCs and rescued normal astrocytic differentiation. In addition, the BMP-regulated transcriptional repressor REST was upregulated in SCZ GPCs, and its KD similarly restored normal glial differentiation. REST KD also rescued potassium-transport-associated gene expression and K+ uptake, which were otherwise deficient in SCZ glia. These data suggest that the glial differentiation defect in childhood-onset SCZ, and its attendant disruption in K+ homeostasis, may be rescued by targeting BMP/SMAD4- and REST-dependent transcription.
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32
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Zhang D, Men H, Zhang L, Gao X, Wang J, Li L, Zhu Q, Zhang H, Jia Z. Inhibition of M/K v7 Currents Contributes to Chloroquine-Induced Itch in Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:105. [PMID: 32694980 PMCID: PMC7339983 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
M/Kv7 potassium channels play a key role in regulation of neuronal excitability. Modulation of neuronal excitability of primary sensory neurons determines the itch sensation induced by a variety of itch-causing substances including chloroquine (CQ). In the present study, we demonstrate that suppression of M/Kv7 channel activity contributes to generation of itch in mice. CQ enhances excitability of the primary sensory neurons through inhibiting M/Kv7 potassium currents in a Ca2+ influx-dependent manner. Specific M/Kv7 channel opener retigabine (RTG) or tannic acid (TA) not only reverses the CQ-induced enhancement of neuronal excitability but also suppresses the CQ-induced itch behavior. Systemic application of RTG or TA also significantly inhibits the itch behavior induced by a variety of pruritogens. Taken together, our findings provide novel insight into the molecular basis of CQ-induced itch sensation in mammals that can be applied to the development of strategies to mitigate itch behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Center for Innovative Drug Research and Evaluation, Institute of Medical Science and Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, China.,The Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacology and Toxicology, Shijiazhuang, China.,Department of Anesthesiology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Hongchao Men
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Center for Innovative Drug Research and Evaluation, Institute of Medical Science and Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, China.,The Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacology and Toxicology, Shijiazhuang, China.,Department of Anesthesiology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Ludi Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Center for Innovative Drug Research and Evaluation, Institute of Medical Science and Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, China.,The Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacology and Toxicology, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiangxin Gao
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Center for Innovative Drug Research and Evaluation, Institute of Medical Science and Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, China.,The Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacology and Toxicology, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Center for Innovative Drug Research and Evaluation, Institute of Medical Science and Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, China.,The Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacology and Toxicology, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Leying Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Center for Innovative Drug Research and Evaluation, Institute of Medical Science and Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, China.,The Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacology and Toxicology, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Qiaoying Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Center for Innovative Drug Research and Evaluation, Institute of Medical Science and Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, China.,The Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacology and Toxicology, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Hailin Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Center for Innovative Drug Research and Evaluation, Institute of Medical Science and Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, China.,The Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacology and Toxicology, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Zhanfeng Jia
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Center for Innovative Drug Research and Evaluation, Institute of Medical Science and Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, China.,The Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacology and Toxicology, Shijiazhuang, China
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Valdor M, Wagner A, Fischer H, Röhrs V, Schröder W, Bahrenberg G, Welbers A, Fechner H, Kurreck J, Tzschentke TM, Christoph T. RNA interference-mediated silencing of Kv7.2 in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons abolishes the anti-nociceptive effect of a selective channel opener. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2020; 103:106693. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2020.106693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Santoro M, Vollono C, Pazzaglia C, Di Sipio E, Giordano R, Padua L, Arendt‐Nielsen L, Valeriani M. ZNRD1‐AS
and
RP11‐819C21.1
long non‐coding RNA changes following painful laser stimulation correlate with laser‐evoked potential amplitude and habituation in healthy subjects: A pilot study. Eur J Pain 2020; 24:593-603. [DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Catello Vollono
- Unit of Neurophysiopathology Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS Rome Italy
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Rome Italy
| | - Costanza Pazzaglia
- Unit of High Intensity NeurorehabilitationFondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS Rome Italy
| | | | - Rocco Giordano
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP) SMI Department of Health Science and Technology Faculty of Medicine Aalborg University Aalborg Denmark
| | - Luca Padua
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Rome Italy
- Unit of High Intensity NeurorehabilitationFondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - Lars Arendt‐Nielsen
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP) SMI Department of Health Science and Technology Faculty of Medicine Aalborg University Aalborg Denmark
| | - Massimiliano Valeriani
- Neurology Unit, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesú IRCCSPiazza di Sant'Onofrio Rome Italy
- Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction Aalborg University Aalborg Denmark
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35
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Sosanya NM, Kumar R, Clifford JL, Chavez R, Dimitrov G, Srinivasan S, Gautam A, Trevino AV, Williams M, Hammamieh R, Cheppudira BP, Christy RJ, Crimmins SL. Identifying Plasma Derived Extracellular Vesicle (EV) Contained Biomarkers in the Development of Chronic Neuropathic Pain. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2020; 21:82-96. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2019.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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36
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Zhang F, Gigout S, Liu Y, Wang Y, Hao H, Buckley NJ, Zhang H, Wood IC, Gamper N. Repressor element 1-silencing transcription factor drives the development of chronic pain states. Pain 2019; 160:2398-2408. [PMID: 31206463 PMCID: PMC6756259 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Chronic pain is an unmet clinical problem with vast individual, societal, and economic impact. Pathologic activity of the peripheral somatosensory afferents is one of the major drivers of chronic pain. This overexcitable state of somatosensory neurons is, in part, produced by the dysregulation of genes controlling neuronal excitability. Despite intense research, a unifying theory behind neuropathic remodelling is lacking. Here, we show that transcriptional suppressor, repressor element 1-silencing transcription factor (REST; neuron-restrictive silencing factor, NRSF), is necessary and sufficient for the development of hyperalgesic state after chronic nerve injury or inflammation. Viral overexpression of REST in mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) induced prominent mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in vivo. Sensory neuron-specific, inducible Rest knockout prevented the development of such hyperalgesic state in 3 different chronic pain models. Genetic deletion of Rest reverted injury-induced hyperalgesia. Moreover, viral overexpression of REST in the same neurons in which its gene has been genetically deleted restored neuropathic hyperalgesia. Finally, sensory neuron specific Rest knockout prevented injury-induced downregulation of REST target genes in DRG neurons. This work identified REST as a major regulator of peripheral somatosensory neuron remodelling leading to chronic pain. The findings might help to develop a novel therapeutic approache to combat chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, China
- The Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacology and Toxicology, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China
| | - Sylvain Gigout
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, China
- The Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacology and Toxicology, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China
| | - Yiying Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, China
- The Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacology and Toxicology, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China
| | - Han Hao
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, China
- The Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacology and Toxicology, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China
| | - Noel J. Buckley
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Hailin Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, China
- The Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacology and Toxicology, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China
| | - Ian C. Wood
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Nikita Gamper
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, China
- The Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacology and Toxicology, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
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37
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Sandercock DA, Barnett MW, Coe JE, Downing AC, Nirmal AJ, Di Giminiani P, Edwards SA, Freeman TC. Transcriptomics Analysis of Porcine Caudal Dorsal Root Ganglia in Tail Amputated Pigs Shows Long-Term Effects on Many Pain-Associated Genes. Front Vet Sci 2019; 6:314. [PMID: 31620455 PMCID: PMC6760028 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tail amputation by tail docking or as an extreme consequence of tail biting in commercial pig production potentially has serious implications for animal welfare. Tail amputation causes peripheral nerve injury that might be associated with lasting chronic pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the short- and long-term effects of tail amputation in pigs on caudal DRG gene expression at different stages of development, particularly in relation to genes associated with nociception and pain. Microarrays were used to analyse whole DRG transcriptomes from tail amputated and sham-treated pigs 1, 8, and 16 weeks following tail treatment at either 3 or 63 days of age (8 pigs/treatment/age/time after treatment; n = 96). Tail amputation induced marked changes in gene expression (up and down) compared to sham-treated intact controls for all treatment ages and time points after tail treatment. Sustained changes in gene expression in tail amputated pigs were still evident 4 months after tail injury. Gene correlation network analysis revealed two co-expression clusters associated with amputation: Cluster A (759 down-regulated) and Cluster B (273 up-regulated) genes. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis identified 124 genes in Cluster A and 61 genes in Cluster B associated with both “inflammatory pain” and “neuropathic pain.” In Cluster A, gene family members of ion channels e.g., voltage-gated potassium channels (VGPC) and receptors e.g., GABA receptors, were significantly down-regulated compared to shams, both of which are linked to increased peripheral nerve excitability after axotomy. Up-regulated gene families in Cluster B were linked to transcriptional regulation, inflammation, tissue remodeling, and regulatory neuropeptide activity. These findings, demonstrate that tail amputation causes sustained transcriptomic expression changes in caudal DRG cells involved in inflammatory and neuropathic pain pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dale A Sandercock
- Animal and Veterinary Science Research Group, Scotland's Rural College, Roslin Institute Building, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Mark W Barnett
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer E Coe
- Animal and Veterinary Science Research Group, Scotland's Rural College, Roslin Institute Building, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Alison C Downing
- Edinburgh Genomics, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ajit J Nirmal
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Pierpaolo Di Giminiani
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Sandra A Edwards
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Tom C Freeman
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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38
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Ambrosino P, Soldovieri MV, Di Zazzo E, Paventi G, Iannotti FA, Mosca I, Miceli F, Franco C, Canzoniero LMT, Taglialatela M. Activation of Kv7 Potassium Channels Inhibits Intracellular Ca 2+ Increases Triggered By TRPV1-Mediated Pain-Inducing Stimuli in F11 Immortalized Sensory Neurons. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20184322. [PMID: 31487785 PMCID: PMC6769798 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20184322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 09/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Kv7.2-Kv7.5 channels mediate the M-current (IKM), a K+-selective current regulating neuronal excitability and representing an attractive target for pharmacological therapy against hyperexcitability diseases such as pain. Kv7 channels interact functionally with transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channels activated by endogenous and/or exogenous pain-inducing substances, such as bradykinin (BK) or capsaicin (CAP), respectively; however, whether Kv7 channels of specific molecular composition provide a dominant contribution in BK- or CAP-evoked responses is yet unknown. To this aim, Kv7 transcripts expression and function were assessed in F11 immortalized sensorial neurons, a cellular model widely used to assess nociceptive molecular mechanisms. In these cells, the effects of the pan-Kv7 activator retigabine were investigated, as well as the effects of ICA-27243 and (S)-1, two Kv7 activators acting preferentially on Kv7.2/Kv7.3 and Kv7.4/Kv7.5 channels, respectively, on BK- and CAP-induced changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i). The results obtained revealed the expression of transcripts of all Kv7 genes, leading to an IKM-like current. Moreover, all tested Kv7 openers inhibited BK- and CAP-induced responses by a similar extent (~60%); at least for BK-induced Ca2+ responses, the potency of retigabine (IC50~1 µM) was higher than that of ICA-27243 (IC50~5 µM) and (S)-1 (IC50~7 µM). Altogether, these results suggest that IKM activation effectively counteracts the cellular processes triggered by TRPV1-mediated pain-inducing stimuli, and highlight a possible critical contribution of Kv7.4 subunits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Ambrosino
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, 82100 Benevento, Italy
| | - Maria Virginia Soldovieri
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Erika Di Zazzo
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Gianluca Paventi
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Fabio Arturo Iannotti
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council, Pozzuoli, 80121 Naples, Italy
| | - Ilaria Mosca
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Francesco Miceli
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Cristina Franco
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, 82100 Benevento, Italy
| | | | - Maurizio Taglialatela
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy.
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Zakaria ZA, Abdul Rahim MH, Roosli RAJ, Mohd Sani MH, Marmaya NH, Omar MH, Teh LK, Salleh MZ. Antinociceptive Activity of Petroleum Ether Fraction of Clinacanthus nutans Leaves Methanolic Extract: Roles of Nonopioid Pain Modulatory Systems and Potassium Channels. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:6593125. [PMID: 31467905 PMCID: PMC6699298 DOI: 10.1155/2019/6593125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Methanolic extract of Clinacanthus nutans Lindau leaves (MECN) has been reported to exert antinociceptive activity. The present study aimed to elucidate the possible antinociceptive mechanisms of a lipid-soluble fraction of MECN, which was obtained after sequential extraction in petroleum ether. The petroleum ether fraction of C. nutans (PECN), administered orally to mice, was (i) subjected to capsaicin-, glutamate-, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-, bradykinin-induced nociception model; (ii) prechallenged (intraperitoneal (i.p.)) with 0.15 mg/kg yohimbine, 1 mg/kg pindolol, 3 mg/kg caffeine, 0.2 mg/kg haloperidol, or 10 mg/kg atropine, which were the respective antagonist of α 2-adrenergic, β-adrenergic, adenosinergic, dopaminergic, or muscarinic receptors; and (iii) prechallenged (i.p.) with 10 mg/kg glibenclamide, 0.04 mg/kg apamin, 0.02 mg/kg charybdotoxin, or 4 mg/kg tetraethylammonium chloride, which were the respective inhibitor of ATP sensitive-, small conductance Ca2+-activated-, large conductance Ca2+-activated-, or nonselective voltage-activated-K+ channel. Results obtained demonstrated that PECN (100, 250, and 500 mg/kg) significantly (P<0.05) inhibited all models of nociception described earlier. The antinociceptive activity of 500 mg/kg PECN was significantly (P<0.05) attenuated when prechallenged with all antagonists or K+ channel blockers. However, only pretreatment with apamin and charybdotoxin caused full inhibition of PECN-induced antinociception. The rest of the K+ channel blockers and all antagonists caused only partial inhibition of PECN antinociception, respectively. Analyses on PECN's phytoconstituents revealed the presence of antinociceptive-bearing bioactive compounds of volatile (i.e., derivatives of γ-tocopherol, α-tocopherol, and lupeol) and nonvolatile (i.e., cinnamic acid) nature. In conclusion, PECN exerts a non-opioid-mediated antinociceptive activity involving mainly activation of adenosinergic and cholinergic receptors or small- and large-conductance Ca2+-activated-K+ channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zainul Amiruddin Zakaria
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Integrative Pharmacogenomics Institute (iPROMISE), Level 7, FF3, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohammad Hafiz Abdul Rahim
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Rushduddin Al Jufri Roosli
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Hijaz Mohd Sani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Najihah Hanisah Marmaya
- Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Melaka Campus, 75300, Melaka, Malaysia
| | - Maizatul Hasyima Omar
- Phytochemistry Unit, Herbal Medicine Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, 50588 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Lay Kek Teh
- Integrative Pharmacogenomics Institute (iPROMISE), Level 7, FF3, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd. Zaki Salleh
- Integrative Pharmacogenomics Institute (iPROMISE), Level 7, FF3, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
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40
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Abstract
The highly structurally similar drugs flupirtine and retigabine have been regarded as safe and effective for many years but lately they turned out to exert intolerable side effects. While the twin molecules share the mode of action, both stabilize the open state of voltage-gated potassium channels, the form and severity of adverse effects is different. The analgesic flupirtine caused drug-induced liver injury in rare but fatal cases, whereas prolonged use of the antiepileptic retigabine led to blue tissue discoloration. Because the adverse effects seem unrelated to the mode of action, it is likely, that both drugs that occupied important therapeutic niches, could be replaced. Reasons for the clinically relevant toxicity will be clarified and future substitutes for these drugs presented in this review.
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41
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Lawson K. Pharmacology and clinical applications of flupirtine: Current and future options. World J Pharmacol 2019; 8:1-13. [DOI: 10.5497/wjp.v8.i1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 11/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Flupirtine is the first representative in a class of triaminopyridines that exhibits pharmacological properties leading to the suppression of over-excitability of neuronal and non-neuronal cells. Consequently, this drug has been used as a centrally acting analgesic in patients with a range of acute and persistent pain conditions without the adverse effects characteristic of opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and is well tolerated. The pharmacological profile exhibited involves actions on several cellular targets, including Kv7 channels, G-protein-regulated inwardly rectifying K channels and γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors, but also there is evidence of additional as yet unidentified mechanisms of action involved in the effects of flupirtine. Flupirtine has exhibited effects in a range of cells and tissues related to the locations of these targets. In additional to analgesia, flupirtine has demonstrated pharmacological properties consistent with use as an anticonvulsant, a neuroprotectant, skeletal and smooth muscle relaxant, in treatment of auditory and visual disorders, and treatment of memory and cognitive impairment. Flupirtine is providing important information and clues regarding novel mechanistic approaches to the treatment of a range of clinical conditions involving hyper-excitability of cells. Identification of molecules exhibiting specificity for the pharmacological targets (e.g., Kv7 isoforms) involved in the actions of flupirtine will provide further insight into clinical applications. Whether the broad-spectrum pharmacology of flupirtine or target-specific actions is preferential to gain benefit, especially in complex clinical conditions, requires further investigation. This review will consider recent advancement in understanding of the pharmacological profile and related clinical applications of flupirtine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Lawson
- Department of Biosciences and Chemistry, Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S1 1WB, United Kingdom
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42
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Surur AS, Bock C, Beirow K, Wurm K, Schulig L, Kindermann MK, Siegmund W, Bednarski PJ, Link A. Flupirtine and retigabine as templates for ligand-based drug design of KV7.2/3 activators. Org Biomol Chem 2019; 17:4512-4522. [DOI: 10.1039/c9ob00511k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Puzzling stability: molecular jigsaw pieces of residues characterized in light of activity, lipophilicity, stability against oxidation, and hepatotoxicity were combined to yield flupirtine analogue 25b.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdrrahman S. Surur
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry
- Institute of Pharmacy
- University of Greifswald
- 17487 Greifswald
- Germany
| | - Christian Bock
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry
- Institute of Pharmacy
- University of Greifswald
- 17487 Greifswald
- Germany
| | - Kristin Beirow
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry
- Institute of Pharmacy
- University of Greifswald
- 17487 Greifswald
- Germany
| | - Konrad Wurm
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry
- Institute of Pharmacy
- University of Greifswald
- 17487 Greifswald
- Germany
| | - Lukas Schulig
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry
- Institute of Pharmacy
- University of Greifswald
- 17487 Greifswald
- Germany
| | - Markus K. Kindermann
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry
- Institute of Pharmacy
- University of Greifswald
- 17487 Greifswald
- Germany
| | - Werner Siegmund
- Center of Drug Absorption and Transport (C_DAT) Greifswald
- Germany
| | - Patrick J. Bednarski
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry
- Institute of Pharmacy
- University of Greifswald
- 17487 Greifswald
- Germany
| | - Andreas Link
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry
- Institute of Pharmacy
- University of Greifswald
- 17487 Greifswald
- Germany
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43
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Epigenetic regulator UHRF1 inactivates REST and growth suppressor gene expression via DNA methylation to promote axon regeneration. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E12417-E12426. [PMID: 30530687 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1812518115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Injured peripheral sensory neurons switch to a regenerative state after axon injury, which requires transcriptional and epigenetic changes. However, the roles and mechanisms of gene inactivation after injury are poorly understood. Here, we show that DNA methylation, which generally leads to gene silencing, is required for robust axon regeneration after peripheral nerve lesion. Ubiquitin-like containing PHD ring finger 1 (UHRF1), a critical epigenetic regulator involved in DNA methylation, increases upon axon injury and is required for robust axon regeneration. The increased level of UHRF1 results from a decrease in miR-9. The level of another target of miR-9, the transcriptional regulator RE1 silencing transcription factor (REST), transiently increases after injury and is required for axon regeneration. Mechanistically, UHRF1 interacts with DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and H3K9me3 at the promoter region to repress the expression of the tumor suppressor gene phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and REST. Our study reveals an epigenetic mechanism that silences tumor suppressor genes and restricts REST expression in time after injury to promote axon regeneration.
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44
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Activation of KCNQ Channels Prevents Paclitaxel-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Associated Neuropathic Pain. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2018; 20:528-539. [PMID: 30471428 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2018.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Revised: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN) and associated neuropathic pain are the most common and serious adverse effects experienced by cancer patients receiving paclitaxel treatment. These effects adversely impact daily activities and consequently the quality of life, sometimes forcing the suspension of treatment and negatively influencing survival. Patients are usually at high risk of developing PIPN if paclitaxel induces acute pain, which strongly suggests that an acute increase in the excitability of nociceptors underlies the chronic alterations of PIPN. KCNQ/Kv7 channels are widely expressed in the primary sensory neurons to modulate their excitability. In the present study, we show that targeting KCNQ/Kv7 channels at an early stage is an effective strategy to attenuate the development of PIPN. We found that paclitaxel did not decrease the expression level of KCNQ/Kv7 channels in the primary sensory neurons as detected by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. However, retigabine, which is a specific KCNQ/Kv7 channel opener, attenuated significantly the development of PIPN, as shown by both morphologic and behavioral evidence. We also observed that retigabine had no obvious effect on the chemosensitivity of breast cancer cells to paclitaxel. Although retigabine has been approved by the FDA as an anticonvulsant, our study suggests that this drug can be repurposed to attenuate the development of PIPN. PERSPECTIVE: Paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy and associated neuropathic pain are severe and resistant to intervention. The results of our study demonstrated that retigabine (a clinically available medicine) can be used to attenuate the development of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy.
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45
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Resilience to Pain: A Peripheral Component Identified Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Dynamic Clamp. J Neurosci 2018; 39:382-392. [PMID: 30459225 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2433-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain is a complex process that involves both detection in the peripheral nervous system and perception in the CNS. Individual-to-individual differences in pain are well documented, but not well understood. Here we capitalized on inherited erythromelalgia (IEM), a well characterized human genetic model of chronic pain, and studied a unique family containing related IEM subjects with the same disease-causing NaV1.7 mutation, which is known to make dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons hyperexcitable, but different pain profiles (affected son with severe pain, affected mother with moderate pain, and an unaffected father). We show, first, that, at least in some cases, relative sensitivity to pain can be modeled in subject-specific induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived sensory neurons in vitro; second, that, in some cases, mechanisms operating in peripheral sensory neurons contribute to interindividual differences in pain; and third, using whole exome sequencing (WES) and dynamic clamp, we show that it is possible to pinpoint a specific variant of another gene, KCNQ in this particular kindred, that modulates the excitability of iPSC-derived sensory neurons in this family. While different gene variants may modulate DRG neuron excitability and thereby contribute to interindividual differences in pain in other families, this study shows that subject-specific iPSCs can be used to model interindividual differences in pain. We further provide proof-of-principle that iPSCs, WES, and dynamic clamp can be used to investigate peripheral mechanisms and pinpoint specific gene variants that modulate pain signaling and contribute to interindividual differences in pain.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Individual-to-individual differences in pain are well documented, but not well understood. In this study, we show, first, that, at least in some cases, relative sensitivity to pain can be modeled in subject-specific induced pluripotent stem cell-derived sensory neurons in vitro; second, that, in some cases, mechanisms operating in peripheral sensory neurons contribute to interindividual differences in pain; and third, using whole exome sequencing and dynamic clamp, we show that it is possible to pinpoint a specific gene variant that modulates pain signaling and contributes to interindividual differences in pain.
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Zhang J, Chen SR, Chen H, Pan HL. RE1-silencing transcription factor controls the acute-to-chronic neuropathic pain transition and Chrm2 receptor gene expression in primary sensory neurons. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:19078-19091. [PMID: 30327427 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.005846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain is associated with persistent changes in gene expression in primary sensory neurons, but the underlying epigenetic mechanisms that cause these changes remain unclear. The muscarinic cholinergic receptors (mAChRs), particularly the M2 subtype (encoded by the cholinergic receptor muscarinic 2 (Chrm2) gene), are critically involved in the regulation of spinal nociceptive transmission. However, little is known about how Chrm2 expression is transcriptionally regulated. Here we show that nerve injury persistently increased the expression of RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST, also known as neuron-restrictive silencing factor [NRSF]), a gene-silencing transcription factor, in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG). Remarkably, nerve injury-induced chronic but not acute pain hypersensitivity was attenuated in mice with Rest knockout in DRG neurons. Also, siRNA-mediated Rest knockdown reversed nerve injury-induced chronic pain hypersensitivity in rats. Nerve injury persistently reduced Chrm2 expression in the DRG and diminished the analgesic effect of muscarine. The RE1 binding site on the Chrm2 promoter is required for REST-mediated Chrm2 repression, and nerve injury increased the enrichment of REST in the Chrm2 promoter in the DRG. Furthermore, Rest knockdown or genetic ablation in DRG neurons normalized Chrm2 expression and augmented muscarine's analgesic effect on neuropathic pain and fully reversed the nerve injury-induced reduction in the inhibitory effect of muscarine on glutamatergic input to spinal dorsal horn neurons. Our findings indicate that nerve injury-induced REST up-regulation in DRG neurons plays an important role in the acute-to-chronic pain transition and is essential for the transcriptional repression of Chrm2 in neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jixiang Zhang
- From the Center for Neuroscience and Pain Research, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Shao-Rui Chen
- From the Center for Neuroscience and Pain Research, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Hong Chen
- From the Center for Neuroscience and Pain Research, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Hui-Lin Pan
- From the Center for Neuroscience and Pain Research, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030
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Ling J, Erol F, Viatchenko-Karpinski V, Kanda H, Gu JG. Orofacial neuropathic pain induced by oxaliplatin: downregulation of KCNQ2 channels in V2 trigeminal ganglion neurons and treatment by the KCNQ2 channel potentiator retigabine. Mol Pain 2018; 13:1744806917724715. [PMID: 28741430 PMCID: PMC5549876 DOI: 10.1177/1744806917724715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain induced by chemotherapy drugs such as oxaliplatin is a dose-limiting side effect in cancer treatment. The mechanisms underlying chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain are not fully understood. KCNQ2 channels are low-threshold voltage-gated K+ channels that play a role in controlling neuronal excitability. Downregulation of KCNQ2 channels has been proposed to be an underlying mechanism of sensory hypersensitivity that leads to neuropathic pain. However, it is currently unknown whether KCNQ channels may be downregulated by chemotherapy drugs in trigeminal ganglion neurons to contribute to the pathogenesis of chemotherapy-induced orofacial neuropathic pain. In the present study, mechanical sensitivity in orofacial regions is measured using the operant behavioral test in rats treated with oxaliplatin. Operant behaviors in these animals show the gradual development of orofacial neuropathic pain that manifests with orofacial mechanical allodynia. Immunostaining shows strong KCNQ2 immunoreactivity in small-sized V2 trigeminal ganglion neurons in controls, and the numbers of KCNQ2 immunoreactivity positive V2 trigeminal ganglion neurons are significantly reduced in oxaliplatin-treated animals. Immunostaining is also performed in brainstem and shows strong KCNQ2 immunoreactivity at the trigeminal afferent central terminals innervating the caudal spinal trigeminal nucleus (Vc) in controls, but the KCNQ2 immunoreactivity intensity is significantly reduced in oxaliplatin-treated animals. We further show with the operant behavioral test that oxaliplatin-induced orofacial mechanical allodynia can be alleviated by the KCNQ2 potentiator retigabine. Taken together, these findings suggest that KCNQ2 downregulation may be a cause of oxaliplatin-induced orofacial neuropathic pain and KCNQ2 potentiators may be useful for alleviating the neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Ling
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Ferhat Erol
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | - Hirosato Kanda
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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Zemel BM, Ritter DM, Covarrubias M, Muqeem T. A-Type K V Channels in Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons: Diversity, Function, and Dysfunction. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:253. [PMID: 30127716 PMCID: PMC6088260 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A-type voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels are major regulators of neuronal excitability that have been mainly characterized in the central nervous system. By contrast, there is a paucity of knowledge about the molecular physiology of these Kv channels in the peripheral nervous system, including highly specialized and heterogenous dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Although all A-type Kv channels display pore-forming subunits with similar structural properties and fast inactivation, their voltage-, and time-dependent properties and modulation are significantly different. These differences ultimately determine distinct physiological roles of diverse A-type Kv channels, and how their dysfunction might contribute to neurological disorders. The importance of A-type Kv channels in DRG neurons is highlighted by recent studies that have linked their dysfunction to persistent pain sensitization. Here, we review the molecular neurophysiology of A-type Kv channels with an emphasis on those that have been identified and investigated in DRG nociceptors (Kv1.4, Kv3.4, and Kv4s). Also, we discuss evidence implicating these Kv channels in neuropathic pain resulting from injury, and present a perspective of outstanding challenges that must be tackled in order to discover novel treatments for intractable pain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin M. Zemel
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - David M. Ritter
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Manuel Covarrubias
- Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College and Jefferson College of Life Sciences at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Tanziyah Muqeem
- Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College and Jefferson College of Life Sciences at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Penas C, Navarro X. Epigenetic Modifications Associated to Neuroinflammation and Neuropathic Pain After Neural Trauma. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:158. [PMID: 29930500 PMCID: PMC5999732 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that epigenetic alterations lie behind the induction and maintenance of neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain is usually a chronic condition caused by a lesion, or pathological change, within the nervous system. Neuropathic pain appears frequently after nerve and spinal cord injuries or diseases, producing a debilitation of the patient and a decrease of the quality of life. At the cellular level, neuropathic pain is the result of neuronal plasticity shaped by an increase in the sensitivity and excitability of sensory neurons of the central and peripheral nervous system. One of the mechanisms thought to contribute to hyperexcitability and therefore to the ontogeny of neuropathic pain is the altered expression, trafficking, and functioning of receptors and ion channels expressed by primary sensory neurons. Besides, neuronal and glial cells, such as microglia and astrocytes, together with blood borne macrophages, play a critical role in the induction and maintenance of neuropathic pain by releasing powerful neuromodulators such as pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which enhance neuronal excitability. Altered gene expression of neuronal receptors, ion channels, and pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, have been associated to epigenetic adaptations of the injured tissue. Within this review, we discuss the involvement of these epigenetic changes, including histone modifications, DNA methylation, non-coding RNAs, and alteration of chromatin modifiers, that have been shown to trigger modification of nociception after neural lesions. In particular, the function on these processes of EZH2, JMJD3, MeCP2, several histone deacetylases (HDACs) and histone acetyl transferases (HATs), G9a, DNMT, REST and diverse non-coding RNAs, are described. Despite the effort on developing new therapies, current treatments have only produced limited relief of this pain in a portion of patients. Thus, the present review aims to contribute to find novel targets for chronic neuropathic pain treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Penas
- Institut de Neurociències, Departament de Biologia Cellular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Xavier Navarro
- Institut de Neurociències, Departament de Biologia Cellular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, Spain
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Du X, Gao H, Jaffe D, Zhang H, Gamper N. M-type K + channels in peripheral nociceptive pathways. Br J Pharmacol 2018; 175:2158-2172. [PMID: 28800673 PMCID: PMC5980636 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathological pain is a hyperexcitability disorder. Since the excitability of a neuron is set and controlled by a complement of ion channels it expresses, in order to understand and treat pain, we need to develop a mechanistic insight into the key ion channels controlling excitability within the mammalian pain pathways and how these ion channels are regulated and modulated in various physiological and pathophysiological settings. In this review, we will discuss the emerging data on the expression in pain pathways, functional role and modulation of a family of voltage-gated K+ channels called 'M channels' (KCNQ, Kv 7). M channels are increasingly recognized as important players in controlling pain signalling, especially within the peripheral somatosensory system. We will also discuss the therapeutic potential of M channels as analgesic drug targets. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Recent Advances in Targeting Ion Channels to Treat Chronic Pain. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.12/issuetoc/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaona Du
- Department of Pharmacology, The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, Ministry of EducationHebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuangChina
- The Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacology and ToxicologyShijiazhuangHebei ProvinceChina
| | - Haixia Gao
- Department of Pharmacology, The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, Ministry of EducationHebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuangChina
- The Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacology and ToxicologyShijiazhuangHebei ProvinceChina
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological SciencesUniversity of LeedsLeedsUK
| | - David Jaffe
- Department of Biology, UTSA Neurosciences InstituteUniversity of Texas at San AntonioSan AntonioTXUSA
| | - Hailin Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, Ministry of EducationHebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuangChina
- The Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacology and ToxicologyShijiazhuangHebei ProvinceChina
| | - Nikita Gamper
- Department of Pharmacology, The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, Ministry of EducationHebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuangChina
- The Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacology and ToxicologyShijiazhuangHebei ProvinceChina
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological SciencesUniversity of LeedsLeedsUK
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