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Huang Y, Chen SR, Pan HL. Calcineurin Regulates Synaptic Plasticity and Nociceptive Transmission at the Spinal Cord Level. Neuroscientist 2022; 28:628-638. [PMID: 34791930 DOI: 10.1177/10738584211046888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Calcineurin, the predominant Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent serine/threonine protein phosphatase (also known as protein phosphatase 2B), is highly expressed in immune T cells and the nervous system, including the dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord. It controls synaptic transmission and plasticity by maintaining the appropriate phosphorylation status of many ion channels present at presynaptic and postsynaptic sites. As such, normal calcineurin activity in neurons and synapses is mainly involved in negative feedback regulation in response to increased neuronal activity and intracellular Ca2+ levels. Calcineurin inhibitors (e.g., cyclosporine and tacrolimus) are widely used as immunosuppressants in tissue and organ transplantation recipients and for treating autoimmune diseases but can cause severe pain in some patients. Furthermore, diminished calcineurin activity at the spinal cord level may play a major role in the transition from acute to chronic neuropathic pain after nerve injury. Restoring calcineurin activity at the spinal cord level produces long-lasting pain relief in animal models of neuropathic pain. In this article, we provide an overview of recent studies on the critical roles of calcineurin in regulating glutamate NMDA and AMPA receptors, voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, potassium channels, and transient receptor potential channels expressed in the spinal dorsal horn and primary sensory neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuying Huang
- Center for Neuroscience and Pain Research, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shao-Rui Chen
- Center for Neuroscience and Pain Research, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hui-Lin Pan
- Center for Neuroscience and Pain Research, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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Bai X, Gao M, Li Y, Chen H, Ma X, Bai H, Liu Y, Hu X, Suo Z. Upregulation of RCAN1.4 in spinal dorsal horn is involved in inflammatory pain hypersensitivity. Neurosci Lett 2022; 775:136538. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2022.136538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Zhang D, Zhao W, Liu J, Ou M, Liang P, Li J, Chen Y, Liao D, Bai S, Shen J, Chen X, Huang H, Zhou C. Sodium leak channel contributes to neuronal sensitization in neuropathic pain. Prog Neurobiol 2021; 202:102041. [PMID: 33766679 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2021.102041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Neuropathic pain affects up to 10 % of the total population and no specific target is ideal for therapeutic need. The sodium leak channel (NALCN), a non-selective cation channel, mediates the background Na+ leak conductance and controls neuronal excitability and rhythmic behaviors. Here, we show that increases of NALCN expression and function in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and dorsal spinal cord contribute to chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced neuropathic pain in rodents. NALCN current and neuronal excitability in acutely isolated DRG neurons and spinal cord slices of rats were increased after CCI which were decreased to normal levels by NALCN-siRNA. Accordingly, pain-related symptoms were significantly alleviated by NALCN-siRNA-mediated NALCN knockdown and completely prevented by NALCN-shRNA-mediated NALCN knockdown in rats or by conditional NALCN knockout in mice. Our results indicate that increases in NALCN expression and function contribute to CCI-induced neuronal sensitization; therefore, NALCN may be a novel molecular target for control of neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghang Zhang
- Laboratory of Anesthesia & Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China; Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Wenling Zhao
- Laboratory of Anesthesia & Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China; Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jin Liu
- Laboratory of Anesthesia & Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China; Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Mengchan Ou
- Laboratory of Anesthesia & Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China; Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Peng Liang
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jia Li
- Laboratory of Anesthesia & Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China; Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yali Chen
- Laboratory of Anesthesia & Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China; Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Daqing Liao
- Laboratory of Anesthesia & Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Siqi Bai
- Laboratory of Anesthesia & Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiefei Shen
- Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases and Department of Prosthodontics, West China Stomatology Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiangdong Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, Hubei, China
| | - Han Huang
- Laboratory of Anesthesia & Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China; Department of Anesthesiology & Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.
| | - Cheng Zhou
- Laboratory of Anesthesia & Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China; Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.
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Calcineurin Inhibition Causes α2δ-1-Mediated Tonic Activation of Synaptic NMDA Receptors and Pain Hypersensitivity. J Neurosci 2020; 40:3707-3719. [PMID: 32269108 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0282-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcineurin inhibitors, such as tacrolimus (FK506) and cyclosporine, are widely used as standard immunosuppressants in organ transplantation recipients. However, these drugs can cause severe pain in patients, commonly referred to as calcineurin inhibitor-induced pain syndrome (CIPS). Although calcineurin inhibition increases NMDAR activity in the spinal cord, the underlying mechanism remains enigmatic. Using an animal model of CIPS, we found that systemic administration of FK506 in male and female mice significantly increased the amount of α2δ-1-GluN1 complexes in the spinal cord and the level of α2δ-1-bound GluN1 proteins in spinal synaptosomes. Treatment with FK506 significantly increased the frequency of mEPSCs and the amplitudes of monosynaptic EPSCs evoked from the dorsal root and puff NMDAR currents in spinal dorsal horn neurons. Inhibiting α2δ-1 with gabapentin or disrupting the α2δ-1-NMDAR interaction with α2δ-1Tat peptide completely reversed the effects of FK506. In α2δ-1 gene KO mice, treatment with FK506 failed to increase the frequency of NMDAR-mediated mEPSCs and the amplitudes of evoked EPSCs and puff NMDAR currents in spinal dorsal horn neurons. Furthermore, systemic administration of gabapentin or intrathecal injection of α2δ-1Tat peptide reversed thermal and mechanical hypersensitivity in FK506-treated mice. In addition, genetically deleting GluN1 in dorsal root ganglion neurons or α2δ-1 genetic KO similarly attenuated FK506-induced thermal and mechanical hypersensitivity. Together, our findings indicate that α2δ-1-bound NMDARs mediate calcineurin inhibitor-induced tonic activation of presynaptic and postsynaptic NMDARs at the spinal cord level and that presynaptic NMDARs play a prominent role in the development of CIPS.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Calcineurin inhibitors are immunosuppressants used to prevent rejection of transplanted organs and tissues. However, these drugs can cause severe, unexplained pain. We showed that calcineurin inhibition enhances physical interaction between α2δ-1 and NMDARs and their synaptic trafficking in the spinal cord. α2δ-1 is essential for calcineurin inhibitor-induced aberrant activation of presynaptic and postsynaptic NMDARs in the spinal cord. Furthermore, inhibiting α2δ-1 or disrupting α2δ-1-NMDAR interaction reduces calcineurin inhibitor-induced pain hypersensitivity. Eliminating NMDARs in primary sensory neurons or α2δ-1 KO also attenuates calcineurin inhibitor-induced pain hypersensitivity. This new information extends our mechanistic understanding of the role of endogenous calcineurin in regulating synaptic plasticity and nociceptive transmission and suggests new strategies for treating this painful condition.
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Yang Y, Li S, Jin ZR, Jing HB, Zhao HY, Liu BH, Liang YJ, Liu LY, Cai J, Wan Y, Xing GG. Decreased abundance of TRESK two-pore domain potassium channels in sensory neurons underlies the pain associated with bone metastasis. Sci Signal 2018; 11. [DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aao5150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Bone metastasis–associated VEGF suppresses neuronal K
+
channels and increases pain in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Yang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education of China and National Committee of Health and Family Planning of China, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Song Li
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education of China and National Committee of Health and Family Planning of China, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Zi-Run Jin
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education of China and National Committee of Health and Family Planning of China, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Hong-Bo Jing
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education of China and National Committee of Health and Family Planning of China, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Hong-Yan Zhao
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education of China and National Committee of Health and Family Planning of China, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Bo-Heng Liu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education of China and National Committee of Health and Family Planning of China, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Ya-Jing Liang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Ling-Yu Liu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education of China and National Committee of Health and Family Planning of China, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Jie Cai
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education of China and National Committee of Health and Family Planning of China, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - You Wan
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education of China and National Committee of Health and Family Planning of China, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Guo-Gang Xing
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education of China and National Committee of Health and Family Planning of China, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Henan, China
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Nie B, Liu C, Bai X, Chen X, Wu S, Zhang S, Huang Z, Xie M, Xu T, Xin W, Zeng W, Ouyang H. AKAP150 involved in paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain via inhibiting CN/NFAT2 pathway and downregulating IL-4. Brain Behav Immun 2018; 68:158-168. [PMID: 29056557 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2017.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2017] [Revised: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Antitubulin chemotherapeutics agents, such as paclitaxel, are effective chemotherapy drugs for cancer treatment. However, painful neuropathy is a major adverse effect limiting the wider application of chemotherapeutics. In this study, we found that A-kinase anchor protein 150 (AKAP150) was significantly upregulated after paclitaxel injection. Inhibition of AKAP150 via siRNA or AKAP150flox/flox in rodents alleviated the pain behavior induced by paclitaxel, and partly restored the decreased calcineurin (CN) phosphatase activity after paclitaxel treatment. Paclitaxel decreased the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-4 (IL-4), and intrathecal injections of IL-4 effectively alleviated paclitaxel-induced hypersensitivity and the frequency of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons action potential. The decreased CN enzyme activity, resulted in reduced protein expression of nuclear factor of activated T cells 2 (NFAT2) in cell nuclei. Chromatin immunoprecipitation showed that, NFAT2 binds to the IL-4 gene promoter regulating the protein expression of IL-4. Overexpression of NFAT2 by intrathecal injection of the AAV5-NFAT2-GFP virus alleviated the pain behavior induced by paclitaxel via increasing the expression of IL-4. Knocked down AKAP150 by siRNA or AAV5-Cre-GFP partly restored the expression of IL-4 in DRG. Our results indicated that regulation of IL-4 via the CN/NFAT2 pathway mediated by AKAP150 could be a pivotal treatment target for paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain and or other neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilin Nie
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China; Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cuicui Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Anesthesiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaohui Bai
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Anesthesiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaodi Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaoyong Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Subo Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Anesthesiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhuxi Huang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Anesthesiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Manxiu Xie
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Zhongshan Medicine School, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Wenjun Xin
- Zhongshan Medicine School, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weian Zeng
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Handong Ouyang
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
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Calcineurin Dysregulation Underlies Spinal Cord Injury-Induced K + Channel Dysfunction in DRG Neurons. J Neurosci 2017; 37:8256-8272. [PMID: 28751455 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0434-17.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Revised: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysfunction of the fast-inactivating Kv3.4 potassium current in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons contributes to the hyperexcitability associated with persistent pain induced by spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the underlying mechanism is not known. In light of our previous work demonstrating modulation of the Kv3.4 channel by phosphorylation, we investigated the role of the phosphatase calcineurin (CaN) using electrophysiological, molecular, and imaging approaches in adult female Sprague Dawley rats. Pharmacological inhibition of CaN in small-diameter DRG neurons slowed repolarization of the somatic action potential (AP) and attenuated the Kv3.4 current. Attenuated Kv3.4 currents also exhibited slowed inactivation. We observed similar effects on the recombinant Kv3.4 channel heterologously expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, supporting our findings in DRG neurons. Elucidating the molecular basis of these effects, mutation of four previously characterized serines within the Kv3.4 N-terminal inactivation domain eliminated the effects of CaN inhibition on the Kv3.4 current. SCI similarly induced concurrent Kv3.4 current attenuation and slowing of inactivation. Although there was little change in CaN expression and localization after injury, SCI induced upregulation of the native regulator of CaN 1 (RCAN1) in the DRG at the transcript and protein levels. Consistent with CaN inhibition resulting from RCAN1 upregulation, overexpression of RCAN1 in naive DRG neurons recapitulated the effects of pharmacological CaN inhibition on the Kv3.4 current and the AP. Overall, these results demonstrate a novel regulatory pathway that links CaN, RCAN1, and Kv3.4 in DRG neurons. Dysregulation of this pathway might underlie a peripheral mechanism of pain sensitization induced by SCI.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Pain sensitization associated with spinal cord injury (SCI) involves poorly understood maladaptive modulation of neuronal excitability. Although central mechanisms have received significant attention, recent studies have identified peripheral nerve hyperexcitability as a driver of persistent pain signaling after SCI. However, the ion channels and signaling molecules responsible for this change in primary sensory neuron excitability are still not well defined. To address this problem, this study used complementary electrophysiological and molecular methods to determine how Kv3.4, a voltage-gated K+ channel robustly expressed in dorsal root ganglion neurons, becomes dysfunctional upon calcineurin (CaN) inhibition. The results strongly suggest that CaN inhibition underlies SCI-induced dysfunction of Kv3.4 and the associated excitability changes through upregulation of the native regulator of CaN 1 (RCAN1).
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Protein kinase C gamma-mediated phosphorylation of GluA1 in the postsynaptic density of spinal dorsal horn neurons accompanies neuropathic pain, and dephosphorylation by calcineurin is associated with prolonged analgesia. Pain 2016; 156:2514-2520. [PMID: 26270583 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Loss of calcineurin (protein phosphatase 3) activity and protein content in the postsynaptic density (PSD) of spinal dorsal horn neurons was associated with pain behavior after chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the rat sciatic nerve, and intrathecal administration of the phosphatase provided prolonged analgesia (Miletic et al. 2013). In this study, we examined whether one consequence of the loss of calcineurin was the persistent phosphorylation of the GluA1 subunit of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropioinic acid (AMPAR) receptors in the PSD. This would allow continual activation of AMPAR receptors at the synapse to help maintain a long-lasting enhancement of synaptic function, ie, neuropathic pain. We also investigated if the phosphorylation was mediated by protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase C gamma (PKCγ), or calcium-calmodulin dependent kinase II (CaMKII), and if the prolonged calcineurin analgesia was associated with GluA1 dephosphorylation. Mechanical thresholds and thermal latencies were obtained before CCI. Seven days later, the behavioral testing was repeated before saline, calcineurin, or the specific peptide inhibitors of PKA (PKI-tide), PKCγ (PKC 19-31), or CaMKII (autocamtide-2-related inhibitory peptide) were injected intrathecally. The behavior was retested before the animals were euthanized and their PSD isolated. All CCI animals developed mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity. This was associated with phosphorylation of GluA1 in the ipsilateral PSD at Ser831 (but not Ser845) by PKCγ and not by PKA or CaMKII. Intrathecal treatment with calcineurin provided prolonged analgesia, and this was accompanied by GluA1 dephosphorylation. Therapy with calcineurin may prove useful in the prolonged clinical management of well-established neuropathic pain.
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Calbindin-D-28K like immunoreactivity in superficial dorsal horn neurons and effects of sciatic chronic constriction injury. Neuroscience 2016; 324:330-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Revised: 02/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Ouyang H, Nie B, Wang P, Li Q, Huang W, Xin W, Zeng W, Liu X. Ulinastatin attenuates neuropathic pain induced by L5-VRT via the calcineurin/IL-10 pathway. Mol Pain 2016; 12:12/0/1744806916646785. [PMID: 27175013 PMCID: PMC4956156 DOI: 10.1177/1744806916646785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that ulinastatin, an effective inhibitor of the inflammatory response in clinical applications, can attenuate hyperalgesia in rodents. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, we first examined the change in the calcineurin level, which plays an important role in regulating cytokine release in the nervous system, following lumbar 5 ventral root transection in the rat. Furthermore, we determined whether intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of ulinastatin attenuated pain behavior via inhibition of the calcineurin-mediated inflammatory response induced by lumbar 5 ventral root transection. The results showed that the paw withdrawal threshold and paw withdrawal latency were significantly decreased following lumbar 5 ventral root transection compared to the sham group. Neuropathic pain induced by lumbar 5 ventral root transection significantly decreased the expression of calcineurin in the DRG, and calcineurin was mostly located with NF-200-positive cells, IB4-positive cells, and CGRP-positive cells and less with GFAP-positive satellite cells. Furthermore, intrathecal (i.t.) injection of exogenous calcineurin attenuated the pain behavior induced by lumbar 5 ventral root transection. Importantly, intraperitoneal injection of ulinastatin alleviated the pain behavior and calcineurin downregulation induced by lumbar 5 ventral root transection. Lastly, the cytokine IL-10 was significantly decreased following lumbar 5 ventral root transection, and application of calcineurin (intrathecal) or ulinastatin (intraperitoneal) inhibited the IL-10 downregulation induced by lumbar 5 ventral root transection. These results suggested that ulinastatin, by acting on the CN/IL-10 pathway, might be a novel and effective drug for the treatment of neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Handong Ouyang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China Department of Physiology and Pain Research Center, Zhongshan Medical School, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Bilin Nie
- Department of Anesthesiology, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Peizong Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Wan Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjun Xin
- Department of Physiology and Pain Research Center, Zhongshan Medical School, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Weian Zeng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianguo Liu
- Department of Physiology and Pain Research Center, Zhongshan Medical School, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
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Chen SR, Hu YM, Chen H, Pan HL. Calcineurin inhibitor induces pain hypersensitivity by potentiating pre- and postsynaptic NMDA receptor activity in spinal cords. J Physiol 2013; 592:215-27. [PMID: 24081160 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2013.263814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcineurin inhibitors, such as cyclosporin A and tacrolimus (FK506), have played a pivotal role in the preservation of allograft function. However, these drugs can cause unexplained severe pain in patients, often referred to as calcineurin inhibitor-induced pain syndrome (CIPS). Although calcineurin can regulate NMDA receptor (NMDAR) activity, the causal relationship between spinal synaptic plasticity and CIPS remains unknown. In this study, we showed that systemic administration of FK506 (1.5 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) for 7 days in rats led to long-lasting nociceptive and mechanical hypersensitivity. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in spinal cord slices revealed that FK506 treatment caused a large increase in the amplitude of NMDAR-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) of dorsal horn neurons evoked by dorsal root stimulation. The amplitude of NMDAR currents elicited by puff NMDA application to dorsal horn neurons was also significantly greater in FK506-treated than in vehicle-treated rats. The frequency of spontaneous and miniature EPSCs in most dorsal horn neurons was profoundly increased in FK506-treated rats and was reduced by blocking NMDARs. Furthermore, blocking GluN2A or GluN2B subunits similarly reduced the amplitude of evoked EPSCs and the frequency of miniature EPSCs in dorsal horn neurons of FK506-treated rats. In addition, intrathecal injection of an NMDAR antagonist or systemic administration of memantine effectively reversed nociceptive and mechanical hypersensitivity in FK506-treated rats. Our findings indicate that calcineurin inhibition increases glutamate-mediated nociceptive input by potentiating presynaptic and postsynaptic NMDAR activity in spinal cords. NMDAR antagonists may represent a new therapeutic option for the treatment of CIPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao-Rui Chen
- H.-L. Pan: Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Unit 110, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA.
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