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Tian X, Wang WT, Zhang MM, Yang QQ, Xu YL, Wu JB, Xie XX, Wang JY, Wang JY. Red nucleus mGluR1 and mGluR5 facilitate the development of neuropathic pain through stimulating the expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β. Neurochem Int 2024; 178:105786. [PMID: 38843952 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2024.105786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Our previous study has identified that glutamate in the red nucleus (RN) facilitates the development of neuropathic pain through metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR). Here, we further explored the actions and possible molecular mechanisms of red nucleus mGluR Ⅰ (mGluR1 and mGluR5) in the development of neuropathic pain induced by spared nerve injury (SNI). Our data indicated that both mGluR1 and mGluR5 were constitutively expressed in the RN of normal rats. Two weeks after SNI, the expressions of mGluR1 and mGluR5 were significantly boosted in the RN contralateral to the nerve injury. Administration of mGluR1 antagonist LY367385 or mGluR5 antagonist MTEP to the RN contralateral to the nerve injury at 2 weeks post-SNI significantly ameliorated SNI-induced neuropathic pain. However, unilateral administration of mGluRⅠ agonist DHPG to the RN of normal rats provoked a significant mechanical allodynia, this effect could be blocked by LY367385 or MTEP. Further studies indicated that the expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β in the RN were also elevated at 2 weeks post-SNI. Administration of mGluR1 antagonist LY367385 or mGluR5 antagonist MTEP to the RN at 2 weeks post-SNI significantly inhibited the elevations of TNF-α and IL-1β. However, administration of mGluR Ⅰ agonist DHPG to the RN of normal rats significantly enhanced the expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β, these effects were blocked by LY367385 or MTEP. These results suggest that activation of red nucleus mGluR1 and mGluR5 facilitate the development of neuropathic pain by stimulating the expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β. mGluR Ⅰ maybe potential targets for drug development and clinical treatment of neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Tian
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China; Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China; Shaanxi Blood Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wen-Tao Wang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Miao-Miao Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qing-Qing Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China; Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ya-Li Xu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ji-Bo Wu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xin-Xin Xie
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jun-Yang Wang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Jing-Yuan Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China.
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Wang WT, Feng F, Zhang MM, Tian X, Yang QQ, Li YJ, Tao XX, Xu YL, Dou E, Wang JY, Zeng XY. Red nucleus mGluR2 but not mGluR3 mediates inhibitory effect in the development of SNI-induced neuropathological pain by suppressing the expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β. Neurochem Int 2024; 179:105840. [PMID: 39181245 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2024.105840] [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: 07/08/2024] [Revised: 08/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Our previous study has verified that activation of group Ⅰ metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRⅠ) in the red nucleus (RN) facilitate the development of neuropathological pain. Here, we further discussed the functions and possible molecular mechanisms of red nucleus mGluR Ⅱ (mGluR2 and mGluR3) in the development of neuropathological pain induced by spared nerve injury (SNI). Our results showed that mGluR2 and mGluR3 both were constitutively expressed in the RN of normal rats. At 2 weeks post-SNI, the protein expression of mGluR2 rather than mGluR3 was significantly reduced in the RN contralateral to the nerve lesion. Injection of mGluR2/3 agonist LY379268 into the RN contralateral to the nerve injury at 2 weeks post-SNI significantly attenuated SNI-induced neuropathological pain, this effect was reversed by mGluR2/3 antagonist EGLU instead of selective mGluR3 antagonist β-NAAG. Intrarubral injection of LY379268 did not alter the PWT of contralateral hindpaw in normal rats, while intrarubral injection of EGLU rather than β-NAAG provoked a significant mechanical allodynia. Further studies indicated that the expressions of nociceptive factors TNF-α and IL-1β in the RN were enhanced at 2 weeks post-SNI. Intrarubral injection of LY379268 at 2 weeks post-SNI significantly suppressed the overexpressions of TNF-α and IL-1β, these effects were reversed by EGLU instead of β-NAAG. Intrarubral injection of LY379268 did not influence the protein expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β in normal rats, while intrarubral injection of EGLU rather than β-NAAG significantly boosted the expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β. These findings suggest that red nucleus mGluR2 but not mGluR3 mediates inhibitory effect in the development of SNI-induced neuropathological pain by suppressing the expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β. mGluR Ⅱ may be potential targets for drug development and clinical treatment of neuropathological pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Tao Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China; Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Fan Feng
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Miao-Miao Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xue Tian
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qing-Qing Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China; Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yue-Jia Li
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiao-Xia Tao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ya-Li Xu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China; Department of Blood Transfusion, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - E Dou
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jun-Yang Wang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Xiao-Yan Zeng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China.
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Chen ZJ, Su CW, Xiong S, Li T, Liang HY, Lin YH, Chang L, Wu HY, Li F, Zhu DY, Luo CX. Enhanced AMPAR-dependent synaptic transmission by S-nitrosylation in the vmPFC contributes to chronic inflammatory pain-induced persistent anxiety in mice. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2023; 44:954-968. [PMID: 36460834 PMCID: PMC10104852 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-022-01024-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain patients often have anxiety disorders, and some of them suffer from anxiety even after analgesic administration. In this study, we investigated the role of AMPAR-mediated synaptic transmission in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) in chronic pain-induced persistent anxiety in mice and explored potential drug targets. Chronic inflammatory pain was induced in mice by bilateral injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into the planta of the hind paws; anxiety-like behaviours were assessed with behavioural tests; S-nitrosylation and AMPAR-mediated synaptic transmission were examined using biochemical assays and electrophysiological recordings, respectively. We found that CFA induced persistent upregulation of AMPAR membrane expression and function in the vmPFC of anxious mice but not in the vmPFC of non-anxious mice. The anxious mice exhibited higher S-nitrosylation of stargazin (an AMPAR-interacting protein) in the vmPFC. Inhibition of S-nitrosylation by bilaterally infusing an exogenous stargazin (C302S) mutant into the vmPFC rescued the surface expression of GluA1 and AMPAR-mediated synaptic transmission as well as the anxiety-like behaviours in CFA-injected mice, even after ibuprofen treatment. Moreover, administration of ZL006, a small molecular inhibitor disrupting the interaction of nNOS and PSD-95 (20 mg·kg-1·d-1, for 5 days, i.p.), significantly reduced nitric oxide production and S-nitrosylation of AMPAR-interacting proteins in the vmPFC, resulting in anxiolytic-like effects in anxious mice after ibuprofen treatment. We conclude that S-nitrosylation is necessary for AMPAR trafficking and function in the vmPFC under chronic inflammatory pain-induced persistent anxiety conditions, and nNOS-PSD-95 inhibitors could be potential anxiolytics specific for chronic inflammatory pain-induced persistent anxiety after analgesic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Jin Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Chun-Wan Su
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Shuai Xiong
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Ting Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Hai-Ying Liang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Longyan, 364000, China
| | - Yu-Hui Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Lei Chang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Hai-Yin Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Fei Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Dong-Ya Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Chun-Xia Luo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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Astrocyte reactivity in the glia limitans superficialis of the rat medial prefrontal cortex following sciatic nerve injury. Histochem Cell Biol 2023; 159:185-198. [PMID: 36326875 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-022-02161-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The glia limitans superficialis (GLS) on the rodent cortical surface consists of astrocyte bodies intermingled with their cytoplasmic processes. Many studies have observed astrocyte reactivity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) parenchyma induced by a peripheral nerve injury, while the response of GLS astrocytes is still not fully understood. The aim of our study was to identify the reactivity of rat GLS astrocytes in response to sciatic nerve compression (SNC) over different time periods. The alteration of GLS astrocyte reactivity was monitored using immunofluorescence (IF) intensities of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), glutamine synthetase (GS), and NFκBp65. Our results demonstrated that SNC induced GLS astrocyte reactivity seen as increased intensities of GFAP-IF, and longer extensions of cytoplasmic processes into lamina I. First significant increase of GFAP-IF was observed on post-operation day 7 (POD7) after SNC with further increases on POD14 and POD21. In contrast, dynamic alteration of the extension of cytoplasmic processes into lamina I was detected as early as POD1 and continued throughout the monitored survival periods of both sham and SNC operations. The reactivity of GLS astrocytes was not associated with their proliferation. In addition, GLS astrocytes also displayed a significant decrease in GS immunofluorescence (GS-IF) and NFκB immunofluorescence (NFκB-IF) in response to sham and SNC operation compared with naïve control rats. These results suggest that damaged peripheral tissues (following sham operation as well as peripheral nerve lesions) may induce significant changes in GLS astrocyte reactivity. The signaling mechanism from injured peripheral tissue and nerve remains to be elucidated.
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Papadogiannis A, Dimitrov E. A Possible Mechanism for Development of Working Memory Impairment in Male Mice Subjected to Inflammatory Pain. Neuroscience 2022; 503:17-27. [PMID: 36100034 PMCID: PMC9588797 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.09.007] [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: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
We studied the effects of inflammatory pain on working memory and correlated the pain effects with changes in dendritic spine density and glutamate signaling in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of male and female mice. Injection of Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) into the hind paw modeled inflammatory pain. The CFA equally decreased the mechanical thresholds in both sexes. The density of dendritic spines, as a marker for neuronal input, increased on the dendrites of both, pyramidal cells and interneurons in males but only on the dendrites of interneurons in CFA injected females. Next, we injected virus with glutamate sensor (pAAV5.hSyn.iGluSnFr) into the mPFC and used fiber photometry to record glutamate signaling during Y-maze spontaneous alternations test, which is a test for working memory in rodents. The detected fluorescent signal was higher during correct alternations when compared to incorrect alternations in both sexes. The CFA injection did not change the pattern of glutamate fluorescence during the test but the female mice made fewer incorrect alternations than their male counterparts. Furthermore, while the CFA injection decreased the expression of the glutamate transporter VGlut1 on the soma of mPFC neurons in both sexes, the decrease was sex dependent. We concluded that inflammatory pain, which increases sensory input into the mPFC neurons, may impair working memory by altering the glutamate signaling. The glutamate deficit that develops as a result of the pain is more pronounced in male mice in comparison to female mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Papadogiannis
- Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, United States.
| | - Eugene Dimitrov
- Center for the Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, United States.
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Li Z, He Z, Li Z, Sun T, Zhang W, Xiang H. Differential synaptic mechanism underlying the neuronal modulation of prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus in response to chronic postsurgical pain with or without cognitive deficits in rats. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:961995. [PMID: 36117908 PMCID: PMC9478413 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.961995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic Postsurgical Pain (CPSP) is well recognized to impair cognition, particularly memory. Mounting evidence suggests anatomic and mechanistic overlap between pain and cognition on several levels. Interestingly, the drugs currently used for treating chronic pain, including opioids, gabapentin, and NMDAR (N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor) antagonists, are also known to impair cognition. So whether pain-related cognitive deficits have different synaptic mechanisms as those underlying pain remains to be elucidated. In this context, the synaptic transmission in the unsusceptible group (cognitively normal pain rats) was isolated from that in the susceptible group (cognitively compromised pain rats). It was revealed that nearly two-thirds of the CPSP rats suffered cognitive impairment. The whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings revealed that the neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala neurons were enhanced in the unsusceptible group, while these parameters remained the same in the susceptible group. Moreover, the neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission in hippocampus neurons demonstrated the opposite trend. Correspondingly, the levels of synaptic transmission-related proteins demonstrated a tendency similar to that of the excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission. Furthermore, morphologically, the synapse ultrastructure varied in the postsynaptic density (PSD) between the CPSP rats with and without cognitive deficits. Together, these observations indicated that basal excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission changes were strikingly different between the CPSP rats with and without cognitive deficits.
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Li Z, Sun T, He Z, Li Z, Zhang W, Wang J, Xiang H. SCFAs Ameliorate Chronic Postsurgical Pain-Related Cognition Dysfunction via the ACSS2-HDAC2 Axis in Rats. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:6211-6227. [PMID: 35902549 PMCID: PMC9463230 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02971-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Patients with chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) frequently exhibit comorbid cognitive deficits. Recent observations have emphasized the critical effects of gut microbial metabolites, like short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), in regulating cognitive function. However, the underlying mechanisms and effective interventions remain unclear. According to hierarchical clustering and 16S rRNA analysis, over two-thirds of the CPSP rats had cognitive impairment, and the CPSP rats with cognitive impairment had an aberrant composition of gut SCFA-producing bacteria. Then, using feces microbiota transplantation, researchers identified a causal relationship between cognitive-behavioral and microbic changes. Similarly, the number of genera that generated SCFAs was decreased in the feces from recipients of cognitive impairment microbiota. Moreover, treatment with the SCFAs alleviated the cognitive-behavioral deficits in the cognitively compromised pain rats. Finally, we observed that SCFA supplementation improved histone acetylation and abnormal synaptic transmission in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), hippocampal CA1, and central amygdala (CeA) area via the ACSS2 (acetyl-CoA synthetase2)-HDAC2 (histone deacetylase 2) axis. These findings link pain-related cognition dysfunction, gut microbiota, and short-chain fatty acids, shedding fresh insight into the pathogenesis and therapy of pain-associated cognition dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Li
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Tianning Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Zhigang He
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Zhixiao Li
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Wencui Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences-Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hongbing Xiang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China.
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Zhou K, Wu Q, Yue J, Yu X, Ying X, Chen X, Zhou Y, Yang G, Tu W, Jiang S. Electroacupuncture suppresses spinal nerve ligation-induced neuropathic pain via regulation of synaptic plasticity through upregulation of basic fibroblast growth factor expression. Acupunct Med 2022; 40:379-388. [PMID: 35100811 DOI: 10.1177/09645284211066499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Background: Improving synaptic plasticity is a good way to alleviate neuropathic pain. Electroacupuncture (EA) is currently used worldwide to treat this disease, but its specific mechanisms of action need further investigation. Evidence has suggested that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) plays an important role in promoting nerve regeneration and can promote the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Objective: In this study, we examined the effects of EA on synaptic plasticity and its underlying mechanism. Methods: A spinal nerve ligation (SNL) rat model was established. NSC37204 (a specific inhibitor of bFGF) was used to determine the relationship between bFGF and putative EA-mediated improvements in synaptic plasticity. Mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) were assessed to evaluate hyperalgesia in rats with SNL. Tissue morphology was detected by hematoxylin–eosin (HE) and Nissl staining, while neural plasticity and its molecular mechanisms were examined by Western blotting, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), dual-label immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy. Results: We found that EA improved synaptic plasticity, consistent with higher levels of expression of bFGF and VEGF. Contrary to the beneficial effects of EA, NSC37204 promoted synaptic reconstruction. Furthermore, EA-induced improvements in the neurobehavioral state and improved synaptic plasticity were blocked by NSC37204, consistent with lower expression levels of bFGF and VEGF. Conclusion: These findings indicate that EA suppresses SNL-induced neuropathic pain by improving synaptic plasticity via upregulation of bFGF expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kecheng Zhou
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, P.R. China
- Integrative & Optimized Medicine Research Center, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, P.R. China
| | - Qiaoyun Wu
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, P.R. China
- Integrative & Optimized Medicine Research Center, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jingjing Yue
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, P.R. China
- Integrative & Optimized Medicine Research Center, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, P.R. China
| | - Xiaolan Yu
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, P.R. China
- Integrative & Optimized Medicine Research Center, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, P.R. China
| | - Xinwang Ying
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, P.R. China
- Integrative & Optimized Medicine Research Center, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, P.R. China
| | - Xiaolong Chen
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, P.R. China
- Integrative & Optimized Medicine Research Center, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, P.R. China
| | - Ye Zhou
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, P.R. China
- Integrative & Optimized Medicine Research Center, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, P.R. China
| | - Guanhu Yang
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, P.R. China
- Integrative & Optimized Medicine Research Center, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, P.R. China
| | - Wenzhan Tu
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, P.R. China
- Integrative & Optimized Medicine Research Center, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, P.R. China
| | - Songhe Jiang
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, P.R. China
- Integrative & Optimized Medicine Research Center, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, P.R. China
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9
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Expression of Selected microRNAs in Migraine: A New Class of Possible Biomarkers of Disease? Processes (Basel) 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/pr9122199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Preliminary but convergent findings suggest a role for microRNAs (miRNAs) in the generation and maintenance of chronic pain and migraine. Initial observations showed that serum levels of miR-382-5p and miR-34a-5p expression were increased in serum during the migraine attack, with miR-382-5p increasing in the interictal phase as well. By contrast, miR-30a-5p levels were lower in migraine patients compared to healthy controls. Of note, antimigraine treatments proved to be capable of influencing the expression of these miRNAs. Altogether, these observations suggest that miRNAs may represent migraine biomarkers, but several points are yet to be elucidated. A major concern is that these miRNAs are altered in a broad spectrum of painful and non-painful conditions, and thus it is not possible to consider them as truly “migraine-specific” biomarkers. We feel that these miRNAs may represent useful tools to uncover and define different phenotypes across the migraine spectrum with different treatment susceptibilities and clinical features, although further studies are needed to confirm our hypothesis. In this narrative review we provide an update and a critical analysis of available data on miRNAs and migraines in order to propose possible interpretations. Our main objective is to stimulate research in an area that holds promise when it comes to providing reliable biomarkers for theoretical and practical scientific advances.
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Forouzanfar F, Soleimannejad M, Soltani A, Sadat Mirsafaee P, Asgharzade S. Retinoic acid and taurine enhance differentiation of the human bone marrow stem cells into cone photoreceptor cells and retinal ganglion cells. J Cell Biochem 2021; 122:1915-1924. [PMID: 34569079 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Degeneration and apoptotic death of the photoreceptor cell-layer of retina are a major cause of irreversible blindness in the development era. The stem cell replacement therapy is one of the strategies for the retinal repairing. In addition, exogenous signals critically contribute to the direction of lineage decisions that causes the fate-restricted photoreceptor progenitors from stem cell progeny in culture. It has been found that epidermal growth factor (EGF), taurine, and retinoic acid (RA) initially act in the instructive as well as lineage-restricted way in the progenitor lineage for producing neuroretinal cells or photoreceptor like cells from stem cell. The study aims to investigate the effect of RA and taurine in differentiation of the human bone marrow stem cell into cone photoreceptors cells and retinal ganglion cells. Mesenchymal stem cell was derived from human bone marrow of the term delivery. Therefore, the cultured cells have been treated with Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM)/high glucose (H+ ). After the four-cell passage, basal medium was replaced with DMEM/F12 complemented with 50 μmol/L taurine, RA (1 µM) and EGF (1 µg/ml). Subsequently cellular change morphology was detected following 7 and 14 days. Then, gene expression of neuroretinal and photoreceptor cell biomarkers (CRX, OTX2, PKC-α, recoverin, and Rho) were examined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR). Also, cells were cultured, fixed, and then immunocytochemical analyzed. Primary antibodies included CRX and Rho. Cellular morphology demonstrated spindle elongated morphology. Taurine alone and combination of RA upregulate neuroretinal and photoreceptor cell biomarkers in messenger RNA and protein levels but along with EGF have not significant effect. Our data showed that taurine combination with RA can differentiate bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into neuroretinal or photoreceptor like cells in vitro that can offer an attractive treatment ground for transplantation in the cell-replacement therapy for some forms of the retinal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Forouzanfar
- Medical Toxicology Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mostafa Soleimannejad
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Amin Soltani
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Parisa Sadat Mirsafaee
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Samira Asgharzade
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Technologies, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
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11
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Liu Y, Xu H, Sun G, Vemulapalli B, Jee HJ, Zhang Q, Wang J. Frequency Dependent Electrical Stimulation of PFC and ACC for Acute Pain Treatment in Rats. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2021; 2:728045. [PMID: 35295497 PMCID: PMC8915567 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2021.728045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As pain consists of both sensory and affective components, its management by pharmaceutical agents remains difficult. Alternative forms of neuromodulation, such as electrical stimulation, have been studied in recent years as potential pain treatment options. Although electrical stimulation of the brain has shown promise, more research into stimulation frequency and targets is required to support its clinical applications. Here, we studied the effect that stimulation frequency has on pain modulation in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in acute pain models in rats. We found that low-frequency stimulation in the prelimbic region of the PFC (PL-PFC) provides reduction of sensory and affective pain components. Meanwhile, high-frequency stimulation of the ACC, a region involved in processing pain affect, reduces pain aversive behaviors. Our results demonstrate that frequency-dependent neuromodulation of the PFC or ACC has the potential for pain modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaling Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Helen Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Guanghao Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Interdisciplinary Pain Research Program, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Bharat Vemulapalli
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Hyun Jung Jee
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Qiaosheng Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Interdisciplinary Pain Research Program, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Qiaosheng Zhang
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Interdisciplinary Pain Research Program, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Jing Wang
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12
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Zhang M, Liu Y, Hu G, Kang L, Ran Y, Su M, Yu S. Cognitive impairment in a classical rat model of chronic migraine may be due to alterations in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits. Mol Pain 2021; 16:1744806920959582. [PMID: 32869707 PMCID: PMC7517984 DOI: 10.1177/1744806920959582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Although migraine is a major global public health problem, its impact on cognitive abilities remains controversial. Thus, the present study investigated the effects of repeated administration of inflammatory soup to the dura of rats, over three weeks, on spatial cognition, hippocampal synaptic plasticity, and the expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits. Additionally, low doses of amitriptyline (5 mg/kg) were applied to assess its therapeutic effects. The inflammatory soup group exhibited significant reductions in the cutaneous stimulation threshold, presence of mild cognitive impairment, and decreased long-term potentiation in right hippocampus. However, amitriptyline improved pain behaviors, enhanced cognitive function, and increased synaptic plasticity in the inflammatory soup rats. On the other hand, the administration of amitriptyline to normal rats negatively influenced synaptic plasticity and reduced the expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits. The present results indicate that inflammatory soup-induced dural nociception led to impairments in spatial cognition that could be attributed to reductions in hippocampal long-term potentiation and the decreased expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjie Zhang
- Department of Neurology, the First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, PR China
| | - Yufei Liu
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Third Central Hospital, PR China
| | - Guanqun Hu
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Union Medicine Center, PR China
| | - Li Kang
- Department of Neurology, the First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, PR China
| | - Ye Ran
- Department of Neurology, the First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, PR China
| | - Min Su
- Department of Neurology, the First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, PR China
| | - Shengyuan Yu
- Department of Neurology, the First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, PR China
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13
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Kang D, Hesam-Shariati N, McAuley JH, Alam M, Trost Z, Rae CD, Gustin SM. Disruption to normal excitatory and inhibitory function within the medial prefrontal cortex in people with chronic pain. Eur J Pain 2021; 25:2242-2256. [PMID: 34242465 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Growing evidence indicates a link between changes in the medial prefrontal cortex and the pathophysiology of chronic pain. In particular, chronic pain is associated with altered medial prefrontal anatomy and biochemistry. Due to the comorbid affective disorders seen across all pain conditions, the medial prefrontal cortex is a region of significance as it is involved in emotional processing. We have recently reported that a decrease in medial prefrontal N-acetylaspartate and glutamate is associated with increased emotional dysregulation, indicating there are neurotransmitter imbalances in chronic pain. Therefore, we compared medial prefrontal neurochemistry in 24 people with chronic pain conditions to 24 age and sex-matched healthy controls with no history of chronic pain. METHOD GABA-edited MEGA-PRESS was used to measure GABA+ levels, and short TE PRESS was used to measure glutamate levels in the medial prefrontal cortex. Psychometric measures regarding pain intensity a week before scanning, during the scan and the total duration of chronic pain, were also recorded and compared to measured GABA+ and glutamate levels. RESULTS This study reveals that the presence of chronic pain is associated with significant decreases in medial prefrontal GABA+ and glutamate. These findings support the hypothesis that chronic pain is associated with altered medial prefrontal biochemistry. CONCLUSION The dysregulation of glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmitter systems supports a model of disinhibition of chronic pain, which may play a key role in both the experience of persistent pain and its associated affective disturbances. SIGNIFICANCE This study reveals a significant reduction in γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA+ ) and glutamate within the medial prefrontal cortex in chronic pain sufferers. While the current findings should be considered with reference to a small sample size, the disruption to normal excitatory and inhibitory medial prefrontal cortex function may be key in the development and maintenance of chronic pain and comorbid mental health disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Kang
- Centre for Pain IMPACT, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Negin Hesam-Shariati
- Centre for Pain IMPACT, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Psychology, University of New South, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - James H McAuley
- Centre for Pain IMPACT, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Monzurul Alam
- Centre for Pain IMPACT, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Psychology, University of New South, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Zina Trost
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | | | - Sylvia M Gustin
- Centre for Pain IMPACT, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Psychology, University of New South, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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14
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Wu Q, Chen J, Yue J, Ying X, Zhou Y, Chen X, Tu W, Lou X, Yang G, Zhou K, Jiang S. Electroacupuncture improves neuronal plasticity through the A2AR/cAMP/PKA signaling pathway in SNL rats. Neurochem Int 2021; 145:104983. [PMID: 33577869 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2021.104983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Improvements in neuronal plasticity are considered to be conducive to recovery from neuropathic pain. Electroacupuncture (EA) is regarded as an effective rehabilitation method for neuropathic pain. However, the effects and potential mechanism associated with EA-induced repair of hyperesthesia are not fully understood. Evidence has suggested that the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) and the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway play an important role in improving neuropathic pain. Here, we examined the function of EA in promoting neuronal plasticity in spinal nerve ligation (SNL) rats. The A2AR antagonist SCH58261, A2AR agonist 2-p-(2-carboxyethyl)phenethylamino-50-N-ethylcarboxamido adenosine HCl (CGS21680) and A2AR siRNA were used to confirm the relationship between A2AR and the cAMP/PKA pathway as well as the effects of A2AR on EA-induced improvements in neurobehavioral state and neuronal plasticity. Mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT), thermal withdrawal latency (TWL), HE staining, Western blotting, RT-PCR, immunofluorescence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Nissl staining, silver staining, Golgi-Cox staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to evaluate the changes in neurobehavioral performance, protein expression, neuronal structure and dendrites/synapses. The results showed that EA and CGS21680 improved the behavioral performance, neuronal structure and dendritic/synaptic morphology of SNL rats, consistent with higher expression levels of A2AR, cAMP and PKA. In contrast to the positive effects of EA, SCH58261 inhibited dendritic growth and promoted dendritic spine/synaptic remodeling. In addition, the EA-induced improvement in neuronal plasticity was inhibited by SCH58261 and A2AR siRNA, consistent with lower expression levels of A2AR, cAMP and PKA, and worse behavioral performance. These results indicate that EA suppresses SNL-induced neuropathic pain by improving neuronal plasticity via upregulating the A2AR/cAMP/PKA signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoyun Wu
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Integrative & Optimized Medicine Research Center, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Integrative & Optimized Medicine Research Center, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jingjing Yue
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Integrative & Optimized Medicine Research Center, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xinwang Ying
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Integrative & Optimized Medicine Research Center, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ye Zhou
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Integrative & Optimized Medicine Research Center, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaolong Chen
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Integrative & Optimized Medicine Research Center, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wenzhan Tu
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Integrative & Optimized Medicine Research Center, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xinfa Lou
- Integrative & Optimized Medicine Research Center, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guanhu Yang
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Integrative & Optimized Medicine Research Center, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Kecheng Zhou
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Integrative & Optimized Medicine Research Center, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Songhe Jiang
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Integrative & Optimized Medicine Research Center, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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15
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Talay RS, Liu Y, Michael M, Li A, Friesner ID, Zeng F, Sun G, Chen ZS, Zhang Q, Wang J. Pharmacological restoration of anti-nociceptive functions in the prefrontal cortex relieves chronic pain. Prog Neurobiol 2021; 201:102001. [PMID: 33545233 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2021.102001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Chronic pain affects one in four adults, and effective non-sedating and non-addictive treatments are urgently needed. Chronic pain causes maladaptive changes in the cerebral cortex, which can lead to impaired endogenous nociceptive processing. However, it is not yet clear if drugs that restore endogenous cortical regulation could provide an effective therapeutic strategy for chronic pain. Here, we studied the nociceptive response of neurons in the prelimbic region of the prefrontal cortex (PL-PFC) in freely behaving rats using a spared nerve injury (SNI) model of chronic pain, and the impact of AMPAkines, a class of drugs that increase central glutamate signaling, on such response. We found that neurons in the PL-PFC increase their firing rates in response to noxious stimulations; chronic neuropathic pain, however, suppressed this important cortical pain response. Meanwhile, CX546, a well-known AMPAkine, restored the anti-nociceptive response of PL-PFC neurons in the chronic pain condition. In addition, both systemic administration and direct delivery of CX546 into the PL-PFC inhibited symptoms of chronic pain, whereas optogenetic inactivation of the PFC neurons or administration of AMPA receptor antagonists in the PL-PFC blocked the anti-nociceptive effects of CX546. These results indicate that restoration of the endogenous anti-nociceptive functions in the PL-PFC by pharmacological agents such as AMPAkines constitutes a successful strategy to treat chronic neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert S Talay
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Yaling Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, United States; Department of Pain, The Third Xiangya Hospital and Institute of Pain Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan Province, China
| | - Matthew Michael
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Anna Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Isabel D Friesner
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Fei Zeng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Guanghao Sun
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Zhe Sage Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, United States; Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Qiaosheng Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, United States.
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, United States; Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, United States; Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, United States.
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16
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Cortical Modulation of Nociception. Neuroscience 2021; 458:256-270. [PMID: 33465410 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Nociception is the neuronal process of encoding noxious stimuli and could be modulated at peripheral, spinal, brainstem, and cortical levels. At cortical levels, several areas including the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), prefrontal cortex (PFC), ventrolateral orbital cortex (VLO), insular cortex (IC), motor cortex (MC), and somatosensory cortices are involved in nociception modulation through two main mechanisms: (i) a descending modulatory effect at spinal level by direct corticospinal projections or mostly by activation of brainstem structures (i.e. periaqueductal grey matter (PAG), locus coeruleus (LC), the nucleus of raphe (RM) and rostroventral medulla (RVM)); and by (ii) cortico-cortical or cortico-subcortical interactions. This review summarizes evidence related to the participation of the aforementioned cortical areas in nociception modulation and different neurotransmitters or neuromodulators that have been studied in each area. Besides, we point out the importance of considering intracortical neuronal populations and receptors expression, as well as, nociception-induced cortical changes, both functional and connectional, to better understand this modulatory effect. Finally, we discuss the possible mechanisms that could potentiate the use of cortical stimulation as a promising procedure in pain alleviation.
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17
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Tøttrup L, Diaz-Valencia G, Kamavuako EN, Jensen W. Modulation of SI and ACC response to noxious and non-noxious electrical stimuli after the spared nerve injury model of neuropathic pain. Eur J Pain 2020; 25:612-623. [PMID: 33166003 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The current knowledge on the role of SI and ACC in acute pain processing and how these contribute to the development of chronic pain is limited. Our objective was to investigate differences in and modulation of intracortical responses from SI and ACC in response to different intensities of peripheral presumed noxious and non-noxious stimuli in the acute time frame of a peripheral nerve injury in rats. METHODS We applied non-noxious and noxious electrical stimulation pulses through a cuff electrode placed around the sciatic nerve and measured the cortical responses (six electrodes in each cortical area) before and after the spared nerve injury model. RESULTS We found that the peak response correlated with the stimulation intensity and that SI and ACC differed in both amplitude and latency of cortical response. The cortical response to both noxious and non-noxious stimulation showed a trend towards faster processing of non-noxious stimuli in ACC and increased cortical processing of non-noxious stimuli in SI after SNI. CONCLUSIONS We found different responses in SI and ACC to different intensity electrical stimulations based on two features and changes in these features following peripheral nerve injury. We believe that these features may be able to assist to track cortical changes during the chronification of pain in future animal studies. SIGNIFICANCE This study showed distinct cortical processing of noxious and non-noxious peripheral stimuli in SI and ACC. The processing latency in ACC and accumulated spiking activity in SI appeared to be modulated by peripheral nerve injury, which elaborated on the function of these two areas in the processing of nociception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Tøttrup
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Gabriela Diaz-Valencia
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Ernest N Kamavuako
- Department of Engineering, King's College London, London, UK.,Faculté de Médecine, Université de Kindu, Maniema, D.R Congo
| | - Winnie Jensen
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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18
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Wang Z, Huang S, Yu X, Li L, Yang M, Liang S, Liu W, Tao J. Altered thalamic neurotransmitters metabolism and functional connectivity during the development of chronic constriction injury induced neuropathic pain. Biol Res 2020; 53:36. [PMID: 32843088 PMCID: PMC7448455 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-020-00303-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To investigate the thalamic neurotransmitters and functional connections in the development of chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced neuropathic pain. Methods The paw withdrawal threshold was measured by mechanical stimulation the right hind paw with the von frey hair in the rats of CCI-induced neuropathic pain. The N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and Glutamate (Glu) in thalamus were detected by magnetic resonance spectrum (MRS) process. The thalamic functional connectivity with other brain regions was scanned by functional magnetic resonance image (fMRI). Results The paw withdrawal threshold of the ipsilateral side showed a noticeable decline during the pathological process. Increased concentrations of Glu and decreased levels of NAA in the thalamus were significantly correlated with mechanical allodynia in the neuropathic pain states. The thalamic regional homogeneity (ReHo) decreased during the process of neuropathic pain. The functional connectivity among the thalamus with the insula and somatosensory cortex were significantly increased at different time points (7, 14, 21 days) after CCI surgery. Conclusion Our study suggests that dynamic changes in thalamic NAA and Glu levels contribute to the thalamic functional connection hyper-excitation during CCI-induced neuropathic pain. Enhanced thalamus-insula functional connection might have a significant effect on the occurrence of neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhifu Wang
- College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Sheng Huang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Rehabilitation Medicine Technology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China.,Fujian Collaborative Innovation Center for Rehabilitation Technology, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China
| | - Xiangmei Yu
- College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Long Li
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Rehabilitation Medicine Technology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China.,Fujian Collaborative Innovation Center for Rehabilitation Technology, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China
| | - Minguang Yang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Rehabilitation Medicine Technology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China.,Fujian Collaborative Innovation Center for Rehabilitation Technology, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China
| | - Shengxiang Liang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Rehabilitation Medicine Technology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China.,Fujian Collaborative Innovation Center for Rehabilitation Technology, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China
| | - Weilin Liu
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Jing Tao
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China.
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19
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Cai G, Zhu Y, Zhao Y, Chen J, Guo C, Wu F, Huang J, Wu S. Network Analysis of miRNA and mRNA Changes in the Prelimbic Cortex of Rats With Chronic Neuropathic Pain: Pointing to Inflammation. Front Genet 2020; 11:612. [PMID: 32655622 PMCID: PMC7324672 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain (NP) is a complex, chronic pain condition caused by injury or dysfunction affecting the somatosensory nervous system. This study aimed to identify crucial mRNAs and microRNAs (miRNAs) in the prelimbic cortex (PL) of NP rats. mRNA and miRNA microarrays were applied in the present study. The miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was constructed by using ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA). A total of 35 differentially expressed (DE) RNAs (24 miRNAs and 10 mRNAs) were identified in the spared nerve injury (SNI) group compared with the control group. The DE miRNA-mRNA network showed that IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were core components. Mir-30c-5p and mir-16-5p were the most connected miRNAs in the network. Interestingly, four mRNAs (Rnase 4, Egr2, Rexo4, and Klf2) with significantly increased expression were abundantly expressed in microglia, which was verified by the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Furthermore, the expression of Rnase4 and Egr2 decreased in M1-polarized macrophages and increased in M2-polarized macrophages. In conclusion, we screened dozens of DE mRNAs and miRNAs in the PL of SNI rats. The core of the DE mRNA and miRNA network pointed to molecules associated with inflammation. Four mRNAs (Rnase4, Egr2, Rexo4, and Klf2) might be the potential markers of M2 polarization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guohong Cai
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Chihua Guo
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Feifei Wu
- Basic Medicine Teaching Experiment Center, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jing Huang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shengxi Wu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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20
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Wang R, Qiu Z, Wang G, Hu Q, Shi N, Zhang Z, Wu Y, Zhou C. Quercetin attenuates diabetic neuropathic pain by inhibiting mTOR/p70S6K pathway-mediated changes of synaptic morphology and synaptic protein levels in spinal dorsal horn of db/db mice. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 882:173266. [PMID: 32553736 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2019] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Numerous studies indicate that the changes of synaptic morphology and synaptic protein levels in spinal dorsal horn neurons contributes to the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain. Quercetin, a bioflavonoid compound, has been shown to have analgesic effect in several pain models. However, the underlying mechanism for quercetin to allieviate pain is unclear. Therefore, in this study, we observed the effect of quercetin on diabetic neuropathic pain in db/db mice and explored the underlying mechanisms. Our results showed that chronic quercetin treatment alleviated thermal hyperalgesia in db/db mice. Moreover, quercetin administration significantly reduced the total dendritic length, the number of dendritic branches, and the dendritic spine density in the spinal dorsal horn neurons of db/db mice. Meanwhile, the up-regulated expressions of synaptic plasticity-associated proteins postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) and synaptophysin in spinal dorsal horn of db/db mice were decreased by quercetin treatment. In addition, quercetin treatment reduced the phosphorylated levels of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and p70 ribosomal S6 kinase (p70S6K) in spinal dorsal horn of db/db mice. These results demonstrate that quercetin may alleviate diabetic neuropathic pain by inhibiting mTOR/p70S6K pathway-mediated changes of synaptic morphology and synaptic protein levels in spinal dorsal horn neurons of db/db mice. These findings suggest that quercetin may be a promising therapeutic drug in neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyao Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Zhuang Qiu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Guizhi Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Qian Hu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Naihao Shi
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Zongqin Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yuqing Wu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.
| | - Chenghua Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.
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21
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nNOS-expressing neurons in the vmPFC transform pPVT-derived chronic pain signals into anxiety behaviors. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2501. [PMID: 32427844 PMCID: PMC7237711 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16198-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Anxiety is common in patients suffering from chronic pain. Here, we report anxiety-like behaviors in mouse models of chronic pain and reveal that nNOS-expressing neurons in ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) are essential for pain-induced anxiety but not algesia, using optogenetic and chemogenetic strategies. Additionally, we determined that excitatory projections from the posterior subregion of paraventricular thalamic nucleus (pPVT) provide a neuronal input that drives the activation of vmPFC nNOS-expressing neurons in our chronic pain models. Our results suggest that the pain signal becomes an anxiety signal after activation of vmPFC nNOS-expressing neurons, which causes subsequent release of nitric oxide (NO). Finally, we show that the downstream molecular mechanisms of NO likely involve enhanced glutamate transmission in vmPFC CaMKIIα-expressing neurons through S-nitrosylation-induced AMPAR trafficking. Overall, our data suggest that pPVT excitatory neurons drive chronic pain-induced anxiety through activation of vmPFC nNOS-expressing neurons, resulting in NO-mediated AMPAR trafficking in vmPFC pyramidal neurons. Chronic pain usually induces anxiety. Here, the authors report that vmPFC nNOS-expressing neurons are activated by excitatory inputs from pPVT during chronic pain and subsequently induce anxiety-like behaviors in mice through promoting AMPAR trafficking.
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22
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Kummer KK, Mitrić M, Kalpachidou T, Kress M. The Medial Prefrontal Cortex as a Central Hub for Mental Comorbidities Associated with Chronic Pain. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E3440. [PMID: 32414089 PMCID: PMC7279227 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain patients frequently develop and suffer from mental comorbidities such as depressive mood, impaired cognition, and other significant constraints of daily life, which can only insufficiently be overcome by medication. The emotional and cognitive components of pain are processed by the medial prefrontal cortex, which comprises the anterior cingulate cortex, the prelimbic, and the infralimbic cortex. All three subregions are significantly affected by chronic pain: magnetic resonance imaging has revealed gray matter loss in all these areas in chronic pain conditions. While the anterior cingulate cortex appears hyperactive, prelimbic, and infralimbic regions show reduced activity. The medial prefrontal cortex receives ascending, nociceptive input, but also exerts important top-down control of pain sensation: its projections are the main cortical input of the periaqueductal gray, which is part of the descending inhibitory pain control system at the spinal level. A multitude of neurotransmitter systems contributes to the fine-tuning of the local circuitry, of which cholinergic and GABAergic signaling are particularly emerging as relevant components of affective pain processing within the prefrontal cortex. Accordingly, factors such as distraction, positive mood, and anticipation of pain relief such as placebo can ameliorate pain by affecting mPFC function, making this cortical area a promising target region for medical as well as psychosocial interventions for pain therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Michaela Kress
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (K.K.K.); (M.M.); (T.K.)
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23
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Naylor B, Hesam-Shariati N, McAuley JH, Boag S, Newton-John T, Rae CD, Gustin SM. Reduced Glutamate in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex Is Associated With Emotional and Cognitive Dysregulation in People With Chronic Pain. Front Neurol 2019; 10:1110. [PMID: 31849800 PMCID: PMC6903775 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.01110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
A decrease in glutamate in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has been extensively found in animal models of chronic pain. Given that the mPFC is implicated in emotional appraisal, cognition and extinction of fear, could a potential decrease in glutamate be associated with increased pessimistic thinking, fear and worry symptoms commonly found in people with chronic pain? To clarify this question, 19 chronic pain subjects and 19 age- and gender-matched control subjects without pain underwent magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Both groups also completed the Temperament and Character, the Beck Depression and the State Anxiety Inventories to measure levels of harm avoidance, depression, and anxiety, respectively. People with chronic pain had significantly higher scores in harm avoidance, depression and anxiety compared to control subjects without pain. High levels of harm avoidance are characterized by excessive worry, pessimism, fear, doubt and fatigue. Individuals with chronic pain showed a significant decrease in mPFC glutamate levels compared to control subjects without pain. In people with chronic pain mPFC glutamate levels were significantly negatively correlated with harm avoidance scores. This means that the lower the concentration of glutamate in the mPFC, the greater the total scores of harm avoidance. High scores are associated with fearfulness, pessimism, and fatigue-proneness. We suggest that chronic pain, particularly the stress-induced release of glucocorticoids, induces changes in glutamate transmission in the mPFC, thereby influencing cognitive, and emotional processing. Thus, in people with chronic pain, regulation of fear, worry, negative thinking and fatigue is impaired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke Naylor
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - James H McAuley
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Simon Boag
- School of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Toby Newton-John
- Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Sylvia M Gustin
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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24
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Brandenburger T, Johannsen L, Prassek V, Kuebart A, Raile J, Wohlfromm S, Köhrer K, Huhn R, Hollmann MW, Hermanns H. MiR-34a is differentially expressed in dorsal root ganglia in a rat model of chronic neuropathic pain. Neurosci Lett 2019; 708:134365. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2019.134365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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25
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Mitrić M, Seewald A, Moschetti G, Sacerdote P, Ferraguti F, Kummer KK, Kress M. Layer- and subregion-specific electrophysiological and morphological changes of the medial prefrontal cortex in a mouse model of neuropathic pain. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9479. [PMID: 31263213 PMCID: PMC6603192 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45677-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic neuropathic pain constitutes a serious public health problem, but the disease mechanisms are only partially understood. The involvement of different brain regions like the medial prefrontal cortex has already been established, but the comparison of the role of different subregions and layers is still inconclusive. In the current study, we performed patch-clamp recordings followed by anatomical reconstruction of pyramidal cells from different layers of the prelimbic and infralimbic subregions of the medial prefrontal cortex in neuropathic (spared nerve injury, SNI) and control mice. We found that in the prelimbic cortex, layer 2/3 pyramidal cells from SNI mice exhibited increased excitability compared to sham controls, whereas prelimbic layer 5 pyramidal neurons showed reduced excitability. Pyramidal cells in both layer 2/3 and layer 5 of the infralimbic subregion did not change their excitability, but layer 2/3 pyramidal cells displayed increased dendritic length and branching. Our findings support the view that chronic pain is associated with subregion- and layer-specific changes in the medial prefrontal cortex. They therefore provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying the chronification of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miodrag Mitrić
- Division of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Anna Seewald
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Giorgia Moschetti
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Sacerdote
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Ferraguti
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Kai K Kummer
- Division of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Michaela Kress
- Division of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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26
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Kang D, McAuley JH, Kassem MS, Gatt JM, Gustin SM. What does the grey matter decrease in the medial prefrontal cortex reflect in people with chronic pain? Eur J Pain 2018; 23:203-219. [PMID: 30101509 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 08/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Alterations in the grey matter volume of several brain regions have been reported in people with chronic pain. The most consistent observation is a decrease in grey matter volume in the medial prefrontal cortex. These findings are important as the medial prefrontal cortex plays a critical role in emotional and cognitive processing in chronic pain. Although a logical cause of grey matter volume decrease may be neurodegeneration, this is not supported by the current evidence. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to evaluate the existing literature to unravel what the decrease in medial prefrontal cortex grey matter volume in people with chronic pain may represent on a biochemical and cellular level. DATABASES AND DATA TREATMENT A literature search for this topical review was conducted using PubMed and SCOPUS library. Search terms included chronic pain, pain, medial prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, grey matter, neurochemistry, spectroscopy, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, dendrite, neurodegeneration, glia, astrocyte, microglia, neurotransmitter, glutamate, GABA and different combinations of these terms. RESULTS Adopting a stress model of chronic pain, two major pathways are proposed that contribute to grey matter volume decrease in the medial prefrontal cortex: (a) changes in dendritic morphology as a result of hypothalamic-pituitary axis dysfunction and (b) neurotransmitter dysregulation, specifically glutamate and γ-Aminobutyric acid, which affects local microvasculature. CONCLUSION Our model proposes new mechanisms in chronic pain pathophysiology responsible for mPFC grey matter loss as alternatives to neurodegeneration. SIGNIFICANCE It is unclear what the decrease in medial prefrontal cortex grey matter volume represents in chronic pain. The most attractive reason is neurodegeneration. However, there is no evidence to support this. Our review reveals nondegenerative causes of decreased medial prefrontal grey matter to guide future research into chronic pain pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Kang
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,UNSW Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - James H McAuley
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,UNSW Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Justine M Gatt
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Psychology, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sylvia M Gustin
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Psychology, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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27
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Fu B, Wen SN, Wang B, Wang K, Zhang JY, Liu SJ. Acute and chronic pain affects local field potential of the medial prefrontal cortex in different band neural oscillations. Mol Pain 2018; 14:1744806918785686. [PMID: 29902945 PMCID: PMC6077887 DOI: 10.1177/1744806918785686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The medial prefrontal cortex is involved in the process of sensory discrimination. In this study, we examined the local field potential activity response to the different stages of pain in the prelimbic cortex (PrL) which is a sub-region of the medial prefrontal cortex. Recent studies revealed extensive information about neural oscillations, but there is limited information on the local field potential profiles for acute or chronic pain, particularly in freely moving animals. This study showed that acute mechanical pain increases alpha oscillation and decreases beta and gamma oscillations before spared nerve injury surgery. Delta oscillation was decreased by chronic pain and gamma oscillation varied with time. However, acute mechanical pain stimulus had no effects on local field potential in rats under mechanical allodynia. Together, our findings provide novel insights into the role of medial prefrontal cortex local field potential activity response to pain stimulus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Fu
- 1 Department of Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Military Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shao-Nan Wen
- 1 Department of Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Military Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Wang
- 1 Department of Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Military Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kun Wang
- 2 Department of occupational medicine, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Ji-Yan Zhang
- 3 Department of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Military Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shao-Jun Liu
- 1 Department of Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Military Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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28
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Ong WY, Stohler CS, Herr DR. Role of the Prefrontal Cortex in Pain Processing. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 56:1137-1166. [PMID: 29876878 PMCID: PMC6400876 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1130-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 353] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is not only important in executive functions, but also pain processing. The latter is dependent on its connections to other areas of the cerebral neocortex, hippocampus, periaqueductal gray (PAG), thalamus, amygdala, and basal nuclei. Changes in neurotransmitters, gene expression, glial cells, and neuroinflammation occur in the PFC during acute and chronic pain, that result in alterations to its structure, activity, and connectivity. The medial PFC (mPFC) could serve dual, opposing roles in pain: (1) it mediates antinociceptive effects, due to its connections with other cortical areas, and as the main source of cortical afferents to the PAG for modulation of pain. This is a ‘loop’ where, on one side, a sensory stimulus is transformed into a perceptual signal through high brain processing activity, and perceptual activity is then utilized to control the flow of afferent sensory stimuli at their entrance (dorsal horn) to the CNS. (2) It could induce pain chronification via its corticostriatal projection, possibly depending on the level of dopamine receptor activation (or lack of) in the ventral tegmental area-nucleus accumbens reward pathway. The PFC is involved in biopsychosocial pain management. This includes repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, antidepressants, acupuncture, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, music, exercise, partner support, empathy, meditation, and prayer. Studies demonstrate the role of the PFC during placebo analgesia, and in establishing links between pain and depression, anxiety, and loss of cognition. In particular, losses in PFC grey matter are often reversible after successful treatment of chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Yi Ong
- Department of Anatomy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119260, Singapore.
- Neurobiology and Ageing Research Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119260, Singapore.
| | | | - Deron R Herr
- Department of Pharmacology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119260, Singapore.
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29
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Abstract
Chronic pain is frequently associated with anxiety, depression, and cognitive dysfunction. This review discusses recent work in rodents that contributes to the understanding of their neurobiological links. Brain regions that contain circuits that mediate persistent changes in behavior that are caused by nerve injury or joint inflammation include the rostral anterior cingulate and other parts of the medial prefrontal cortex, the basolateral and central nucleus of the amygdala, and the nucleus accumbens. Functional changes, including increases in the activity within specific neuronal pathways and in the levels of specific synaptic components, that are associated with the behavior changes, or are in some cases necessary for them, have recently been identified. Broadly projecting modulatory systems and widely expressed factors such as cytokines and growth factors also contribute to pain-associated behavior. Integrating these observations and determining their causal relationships is now critical for the identification of therapeutic targets and the design of appropriate interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ted B Usdin
- Section on Fundamental Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Eugene L Dimitrov
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, USA
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30
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Wang TY, Ma Z, Wang C, Liu C, Yan DY, Deng Y, Liu W, Xu ZF, Xu B. Manganese-induced alpha-synuclein overexpression impairs synaptic vesicle fusion by disrupting the Rab3 cycle in primary cultured neurons. Toxicol Lett 2017; 285:34-42. [PMID: 29289693 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2017.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2017] [Revised: 12/16/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Overexposure to Manganese (Mn) has been known to disrupt neurotransmitter release in the brain. However, the underlying mechanisms of Mn exposure on neurotransmitter vesicle release are still unclear. The current study investigated whether Mn-induced alpha-synuclein protein overexpression could disrupt the Rab3 cycle leading to synaptic vesicle fusion dysfunction. After the neurons were exposed to Mn (100 μM) for 0, 6, 12, 24 h, [Ca2+]i, alpha-synuclein and Rab3A-GTP protein expression increased gradually. However, the interaction of synaptotagmin/Rab3-GAP and Rab3A-GTP/Rab3-GAP decreased significantly in response to Mn treatment for 12-24 h. Remarkably, the treatment with Mn caused an increase in the interaction of alpha-synuclein/Rab3A-GTP. To further validate that Mn-induced alpha-synuclein disrupted the proteins interactions of Rab3A-GTP/Rab3-GAP, the lentivirus vector of alpha-synuclein/negative shRNA was transfected in primary cultured neurons to knockdown the expression of alpha-synuclein. Our results showed that the interaction of Rab3A-GTP/Rab3-GAP in alpha-synuclein knockdown neurons treated with Mn for 24 h had a significant recovery. These results suggested that Mn-induced alpha-synuclein protein overexpression, which bound to Rab3A-GTP and inhibited the GTP hydrolysis of Rab3 protein, disrupted the Rab3 cycle leading to synaptic vesicle fusion dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong-Yu Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhuo Ma
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, People's Republic of China
| | - Can Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, People's Republic of China
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, People's Republic of China
| | - Dong-Ying Yan
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Deng
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhao-Fa Xu
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Xu
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, People's Republic of China.
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31
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Adolescent cocaine exposure induces prolonged synaptic modifications in medial prefrontal cortex of adult rats. Brain Struct Funct 2017; 223:1829-1838. [PMID: 29247260 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-017-1590-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Substance used during adolescent period increases the risk of psychiatric disorders in later life, but the underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear. We hypothesize that synaptic remodeling and changes of homeostasis in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) following adolescent cocaine exposure may last for a long time, and these modifications may contribute to behavioral deficiencies in adulthood. To address this hypothesis, rats were exposed to cocaine hydrochloride from postnatal day 28 (P28) to P42. When reared to adulthood, rats were subjected to behavioral tests. On P75 and P76, cocaine-experienced rats exhibited increased locomotive and anxiety-like behaviors, as well as impaired non-selective attention. In the cocaine-experienced rats, both levels of synapse-related proteins (synapsin I and PSD-95) and density of synapse and dendrite spine in mPFC were significantly decreased when compared to controls. Unexpected, the expression of molecules related to oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis showed no significant changes in mPFC following adolescent cocaine exposure. These findings suggested that adolescent exposure to cocaine induce long-term modification on synapses in mPFC, which might contribute to long-term behavioral outcomes in adulthood.
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32
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Zhou YQ, Liu DQ, Chen SP, Sun J, Zhou XR, Luo F, Tian YK, Ye DW. Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II in Chronic Pain. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2017; 363:176-183. [DOI: 10.1124/jpet.117.243048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
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33
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Spinal Fbxo3-Dependent Fbxl2 Ubiquitination of Active Zone Protein RIM1α Mediates Neuropathic Allodynia through CaV2.2 Activation. J Neurosci 2017; 36:9722-38. [PMID: 27629721 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1732-16.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Spinal plasticity, a key process mediating neuropathic pain development, requires ubiquitination-dependent protein turnover. Presynaptic active zone proteins have a crucial role in regulating vesicle exocytosis, which is essential for synaptic plasticity. Nevertheless, the mechanism for ubiquitination-regulated turnover of presynaptic active zone proteins in the progression of spinal plasticity-associated neuropathic pain remains unclear. Here, after research involving Sprague Dawley rats, we reported that spinal nerve ligation (SNL), in addition to causing allodynia, enhances the Rab3-interactive molecule-1α (RIM1α), a major active zone protein presumed to regulate neural plasticity, specifically in the synaptic plasma membranes (SPMs) of the ipsilateral dorsal horn. Spinal RIM1α-associated allodynia was mediated by Fbxo3, which abates Fbxl2-dependent RIM1α ubiquitination. Subsequently, following deubiquitination, enhanced RIM1α directly binds to CaV2.2, resulting in increased CaV2.2 expression in the SPMs of the dorsal horn. While exhibiting no effect on Fbxo3/Fbxl2 signaling, the focal knockdown of spinal RIM1α expression reversed the SNL-induced allodynia and increased spontaneous EPSC (sEPSC) frequency by suppressing RIM1α-facilitated CaV2.2 expression in the dorsal horn. Intrathecal applications of BC-1215 (a Fbxo3 activity inhibitor), Fbxl2 mRNA-targeting small-interfering RNA, and ω-conotoxin GVIA (a CaV2.2 blocker) attenuated RIM1α upregulation, enhanced RIM1α expression, and exhibited no effect on RIM1α expression, respectively. These results confirm the prediction that spinal presynaptic Fbxo3-dependent Fbxl2 ubiquitination promotes the subsequent RIM1α/CaV2.2 cascade in SNL-induced neuropathic pain. Our findings identify a role of the presynaptic active zone protein in pain-associated plasticity. That is, RIM1α-facilitated CaV2.2 expression plays a role in the downstream signaling of Fbxo3-dependent Fbxl2 ubiquitination/degradation to promote spinal plasticity underlying the progression of nociceptive hypersensitivity following neuropathic injury. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Ubiquitination is a well known process required for protein degradation. Studies investigating pain pathology have demonstrated that ubiquitination contributes to chronic pain by regulating the turnover of synaptic proteins. Here, we found that the spinal presynaptic active zone protein Rab3-interactive molecule-1α (RIM1α) participates in neuropathic pain development by binding to and upregulating the expression of CaV2.2. In addition, Fbxo3 modifies this pathway by inhibiting Fbxl2-mediated RIM1α ubiquitination, suggesting that presynaptic protein ubiquitination makes a crucial contribution to the development of neuropathic pain. Research in this area, now in its infancy, could potentially provide a novel therapeutic strategy for pain relief.
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Martinez E, Lin HH, Zhou H, Dale J, Liu K, Wang J. Corticostriatal Regulation of Acute Pain. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:146. [PMID: 28603489 PMCID: PMC5445115 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms for acute pain regulation in the brain are not well understood. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) provides top-down control of emotional processes, and it projects to the nucleus accumbens (NAc). This corticostriatal projection forms an important regulatory pathway within the brain’s reward system. Recently, this projection has been suggested to control both sensory and affective phenotypes specifically associated with chronic pain. As this projection is also known to play a role in the transition from acute to chronic pain, we hypothesized that this corticostriatal circuit can also exert a modulatory function in the acute pain state. Here, we used optogenetics to specifically target the projection from the PFC to the NAc. We tested sensory pain behaviors with Hargreaves’ test and mechanical allodynia, and aversive pain behaviors with conditioned place preference (CPP) test. We found that the activation of this corticostriatal circuit gave rise to bilateral relief from peripheral nociceptive inputs. Activation of this circuit also provided important control for the aversive response to transient noxious stimulations. Hence, our results support a novel role for corticostriatal circuitry in acute pain regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Martinez
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of MedicineNew York, NY, United States
| | - Harvey H Lin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of MedicineNew York, NY, United States
| | - Haocheng Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of MedicineNew York, NY, United States
| | - Jahrane Dale
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of MedicineNew York, NY, United States
| | - Kevin Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of MedicineNew York, NY, United States
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of MedicineNew York, NY, United States.,Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of MedicineNew York, NY, United States
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Boadas-Vaello P, Homs J, Reina F, Carrera A, Verdú E. Neuroplasticity of Supraspinal Structures Associated with Pathological Pain. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2017; 300:1481-1501. [PMID: 28263454 DOI: 10.1002/ar.23587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Revised: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Peripheral nerve and spinal cord injuries, along with other painful syndromes such as fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy, chemotherapeutic neuropathy, trigeminal neuralgia, complex regional pain syndrome, and/or irritable bowel syndrome, cause several neuroplasticity changes in the nervous system along its entire axis affecting the different neuronal nuclei. This paper reviews these changes, focusing on the supraspinal structures that are involved in the modulation and processing of pain, including the periaqueductal gray matter, red nucleus, locus coeruleus, rostral ventromedial medulla, thalamus, hypothalamus, basal ganglia, cerebellum, habenula, primary, and secondary somatosensory cortex, motor cortex, mammillary bodies, hippocampus, septum, amygdala, cingulated, and prefrontal cortex. Hyperexcitability caused by the modification of postsynaptic receptor expression, central sensitization, and potentiation of presynaptic delivery of neurotransmitters, as well as the reduction of inhibitory inputs, changes in dendritic spine, neural circuit remodeling, alteration of gray matter, and upregulation of proinflammatory mediators (e.g., cytokines) by reactivation of astrocytes and microglial cells are the main functional, structural, and molecular neuroplasticity changes observed in the above supraspinal structures, associated with pathological pain. Studying these changes in greater depth may lead to the implementation and improvement of new therapeutic strategies against pathological pain. Anat Rec, 300:1481-1501, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pere Boadas-Vaello
- Research Group of Clinical Anatomy, Embryology and Neuroscience (NEOMA), Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat de Girona, Girona, Catalonia, 17003, Spain
| | - Judit Homs
- Research Group of Clinical Anatomy, Embryology and Neuroscience (NEOMA), Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat de Girona, Girona, Catalonia, 17003, Spain.,Department of Physical Therapy EUSES-Universitat of Girona, Salt (Girona), Catalonia, 17190, Spain
| | - Francisco Reina
- Research Group of Clinical Anatomy, Embryology and Neuroscience (NEOMA), Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat de Girona, Girona, Catalonia, 17003, Spain
| | - Ana Carrera
- Research Group of Clinical Anatomy, Embryology and Neuroscience (NEOMA), Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat de Girona, Girona, Catalonia, 17003, Spain
| | - Enrique Verdú
- Research Group of Clinical Anatomy, Embryology and Neuroscience (NEOMA), Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat de Girona, Girona, Catalonia, 17003, Spain
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Wang C, Xu B, Song QF, Deng Y, Liu W, Xu ZF. Manganese exposure disrupts SNARE protein complex-mediated vesicle fusion in primary cultured neurons. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2017; 32:705-716. [PMID: 27125645 DOI: 10.1002/tox.22272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2015] [Revised: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Overexposure to manganese (Mn) has been known to disrupt neurotransmitter release in the brain. However, the underlying mechanisms of Mn exposure on neurotransmitter vesicle release are still unclear. The current study investigated whether the protein expression and their interaction of SNARE complex associated proteins were the media between Mn exposure and neurotransmitter vesicle fusion disorders. After the neurons were respectively exposed to Mn (0-200 μM) for 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 h, there were different degrees of cell injury in neurons. According to the results, Mn exposures in subsequent experiments were restricted to concentrations of 100 μM for 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 h. Mn was found to down-regulate the expression of SNAP-25 and up-regulate the expression of VAMP-2 in cultured neurons. Moreover, the interaction of Munc 18 and Syntaxin increased significantly in response to Mn treatment for 18-24h, and the interaction of VAMP-2 and Synaptophysin increased first and then decreased. FM1-43-labeled synaptic vesicles also provided evidence that the treatment with Mn resulted in neurotransmitter vesicle fusion increasing first and then decreasing, which was consistent with the 80 kDa protein levels of SNARE complexes. The findings clearly demonstrated that Mn induced the disorders of neurotransmitter vesicle release via disturbing the protein expression and their interaction of SNARE complex associated proteins. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 705-716, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Xu
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi-Fan Song
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Deng
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhao-Fa Xu
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China
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Mitsi V, Zachariou V. Modulation of pain, nociception, and analgesia by the brain reward center. Neuroscience 2016; 338:81-92. [PMID: 27189881 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Revised: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/05/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The midbrain dopamine center comprises a key network for reward, salience, motivation, and mood. Evidence from various clinical and preclinical settings points to the midbrain dopamine circuit as an important modulator of pain perception and pain-induced anxiety and depression. This review summarizes recent findings that shed light to the neuroanatomical, electrophysiological and molecular adaptations that chronic pain conditions promote in the mesolimbic dopamine system. Chronic pain states induce changes in neuronal plasticity and functional connectivity in several parts of the brain reward center, including nucleus accumbens, the ventral tegmental area and the prefrontal cortex. Here, we discuss recent findings on the mechanisms involved in the perception of chronic pain, in pain-induced anxiety and depression, as well as in pain-killer addiction vulnerability. Several new studies also show that the mesolimbic dopamine circuit potently modulates responsiveness to opioids and antidepressants used for the treatment of chronic pain. We discuss recent data supporting a role of the brain reward pathway in treatment efficacy and we summarize novel findings on intracellular adaptations in the brain reward circuit under chronic pain states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Mitsi
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete 71003, Greece; Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Venetia Zachariou
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States.
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d-Aspartate drinking solution alleviates pain and cognitive impairment in neuropathic mice. Amino Acids 2016; 48:1553-67. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-016-2205-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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González-Sepúlveda M, Pozo OJ, Marcos J, Valverde O. Chronic pain causes a persistent anxiety state leading to increased ethanol intake in CD1 mice. J Psychopharmacol 2016; 30:188-203. [PMID: 26681793 DOI: 10.1177/0269881115622238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Mood disorders and chronic pain are closely linked, but limited progress has been made in understanding the role of chronic and neuropathic pain in the aetiopathogenesis of depression. To explore the pathological mechanisms that mediate the association between pain and depressive-like behaviours, we studied the time-dependent effect of neuropathic pain on the development of anxiety-like and despair behaviours in CD1 mice. We analysed behavioural data, neuroinflammation reactions and changes in neurotransmitter (glutamate and serotonin) levels in the mouse prefrontal cortex. Sciatic-operated mice displayed long-lasting anxiety-like and despair behaviours, starting 5 and 20 days after partial sciatic nerve ligation, respectively. Glutamatergic neurotransmission and IL-1β cytokine expression were enhanced in the prefrontal cortex of mice with neuropathic pain. We found no change in serotonin metabolism, cytokine IL-6 or brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels. While sciatic-operated mice exposed to intermittent ethanol intake (20% v/v) using the drinking in the dark procedure consumed higher amounts of ethanol than sham-operated mice, thermal allodynia and despair behaviour were not attenuated by ethanol consumption. Our findings reveal an association between glutamatergic neurotransmission and pain-induced mood disorders, and indicate that moderate ethanol consumption does not relieve nociceptive and depressive behaviours associated with chronic pain in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta González-Sepúlveda
- Grup de Recerca en Neurobiologia del Comportament (GReNeC), Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, PRBB, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oscar J Pozo
- Bioanalysis Research Group, IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Marcos
- Bioanalysis Research Group, IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, PRBB, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga Valverde
- Grup de Recerca en Neurobiologia del Comportament (GReNeC), Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, PRBB, Barcelona, Spain Neuroscience Research Programme, IMIM-Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
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Williams S, Chen L, Savignac HM, Tzortzis G, Anthony DC, Burnet PWJ. Neonatal prebiotic (BGOS) supplementation increases the levels of synaptophysin, GluN2A-subunits and BDNF proteins in the adult rat hippocampus. Synapse 2016; 70:121-4. [PMID: 26682524 DOI: 10.1002/syn.21880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Revised: 12/11/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Compelling data suggest that perturbations in microbial colonization of the gut in early-life, influences neurodevelopment and adult brain function. If this is the case, then ensuring the growth of beneficial bacteria at an early age will lead to optimal brain development and maturation. We have tested whether feeding neonatal rats daily (from post-natal days 3-21) with a galacto-oligosaccharide prebiotic (Bimuno®, BGOS) or a control solution, alters the levels of hippocampal N-Methyl-D-Aspartate receptor (NMDAR) subunits (GluN1, GluN2A, GluN2B), synaptic proteins (synaptophysin, MAP2, and GAP43) and brain-derived-neurotrophic factor (BDNF), at post-natal days 22 and 56. The administration of BGOS significantly elevated GluN2A subunits, synaptophysin and BDNF in the hippocampus of 22 day old rats. The effect was also observed on day 56 (26 days after the feeding ceased). The levels of all other proteins (GluN1, GluN2B, MAP2, GAP43) remained unaltered. Increased GluN2A, synaptophysin, BDNF, but not MAP2, may suggest that neonatal BGOS feeding alters neurotransmission rather than synaptic architecture. Although the functional consequences of our findings require further investigation, the current study confirms that the manipulation of gut bacteria in early-life, has central effects that persist until at least young adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Williams
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom
| | | | - George Tzortzis
- Clasado Research Services Ltd, Reading, RG6 6BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel C Anthony
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QT, United Kingdom
| | - Philip W J Burnet
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom
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Guida F, Luongo L, Marmo F, Romano R, Iannotta M, Napolitano F, Belardo C, Marabese I, D'Aniello A, De Gregorio D, Rossi F, Piscitelli F, Lattanzi R, de Bartolomeis A, Usiello A, Di Marzo V, de Novellis V, Maione S. Palmitoylethanolamide reduces pain-related behaviors and restores glutamatergic synapses homeostasis in the medial prefrontal cortex of neuropathic mice. Mol Brain 2015; 8:47. [PMID: 26260027 PMCID: PMC4532244 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-015-0139-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 08/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Enhanced supraspinal glutamate levels following nerve injury are associated with pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for neuropathic pain. Chronic pain can interfere with specific brain areas involved in glutamate-dependent neuropsychological processes, such as cognition, memory, and decision-making. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is thought to play a critical role in pain-related depression and anxiety, which are frequent co-morbidities of chronic pain. Using an animal model of spared nerve injury (SNI) of the sciatic nerve, we assess bio-molecular modifications in glutamatergic synapses in the mPFC that underlie neuropathic pain-induced plastic changes at 30 days post-surgery. Moreover, we examine the effects of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) administration on pain-related behaviours, as well as the cortical biochemical and morphological changes that occur in SNI animals. RESULTS At 1 month, SNI was associated with mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity, as well as depression-like behaviour, cognitive impairments, and obsessive-compulsive activities. Moreover, we observed an overall glutamate synapse modification in the mPFC, characterized by changes in synaptic density proteins and amino acid levels. Finally, with regard to the resolution of pain and depressive-like syndrome in SNI mice, PEA restored the glutamatergic synapse proteins and changes in amino acid release. CONCLUSIONS Given the potential role of the mPFC in pain mechanisms, our findings may provide novel insights into neuropathic pain forebrain processes and indicate PEA as a new pharmacological tool to treat neuropathic pain and the related negative affective states. Graphical Abstract Palmitoylethanolamide: a new pharmacological tool to treat neuropathic pain and the related negative affective states.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Guida
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology L. Donatelli, Second University of Naples, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - L Luongo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology L. Donatelli, Second University of Naples, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - F Marmo
- Department of Neuroscience, Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Psychiatry, University School of Medicine "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - R Romano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology L. Donatelli, Second University of Naples, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - M Iannotta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology L. Donatelli, Second University of Naples, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - F Napolitano
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, CEINGE - Biotecnologie Avanzate, Via Comunale Margherita 482, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - C Belardo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology L. Donatelli, Second University of Naples, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - I Marabese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology L. Donatelli, Second University of Naples, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - A D'Aniello
- Stazione Zoologica "Anton Dohrn", Naples, Italy
| | - D De Gregorio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology L. Donatelli, Second University of Naples, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - F Rossi
- Department of Women, Child and General and Specialistic Surgery, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - F Piscitelli
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078, Pozzuoli, NA, Italy
| | - R Lattanzi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - A de Bartolomeis
- Department of Neuroscience, Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Psychiatry, University School of Medicine "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - A Usiello
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, CEINGE - Biotecnologie Avanzate, Via Comunale Margherita 482, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - V Di Marzo
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078, Pozzuoli, NA, Italy
| | - V de Novellis
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology L. Donatelli, Second University of Naples, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - S Maione
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology L. Donatelli, Second University of Naples, 80138, Naples, Italy.
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Deactivation of excitatory neurons in the prelimbic cortex via Cdk5 promotes pain sensation and anxiety. Nat Commun 2015; 6:7660. [PMID: 26179626 PMCID: PMC4518290 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Accepted: 05/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is implicated in processing sensory-discriminative and affective pain. Nonetheless, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we demonstrate a role for excitatory neurons in the prelimbic cortex (PL), a sub-region of mPFC, in the regulation of pain sensation and anxiety-like behaviours. Using a chronic inflammatory pain model, we show that lesion of the PL contralateral but not ipsilateral to the inflamed paw attenuates hyperalgesia and anxiety-like behaviours in rats. Optogenetic activation of contralateral PL excitatory neurons exerts analgesic and anxiolytic effects in mice subjected to chronic pain, whereas inhibition is anxiogenic in naive mice. The intrinsic excitability of contralateral PL excitatory neurons is decreased in chronic pain rats; knocking down cyclin-dependent kinase 5 reverses this deactivation and alleviates behavioural impairments. Together, our findings provide novel insights into the role of PL excitatory neurons in the regulation of sensory and affective pain. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is implicated in pain regulation, yet the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here the authors establish a critical role for mPFC in regulating pain sensation and pain-related anxiety, mediated by activation of the cyclin-dependent kinase 5 signalling pathway.
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Borges G, Berrocoso E, Mico JA, Neto F. ERK1/2: Function, signaling and implication in pain and pain-related anxio-depressive disorders. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2015; 60:77-92. [PMID: 25708652 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2015.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2014] [Revised: 01/31/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Despite the increasing knowledge regarding pain modulation, the understanding of the mechanisms behind a complex and pathologic chronic pain condition is still insufficient. These knowledge gaps might result in ineffective therapeutic approaches to relieve painful sensations. As a result, severe untreated chronic pain frequently triggers the onset of new disorders such as depression and/or anxiety, and therefore, both the diagnosis and treatment of patients suffering from chronic pain become seriously compromised, prompting a self-perpetuating cycle of symptomatology. The extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) are molecules strongly implicated in the somatic component of pain at the spinal cord level and have been emerging as mediators of the emotional-affective component as well. Although these molecules might represent good biomarkers, their use as pharmacological targets is still open to discussion as paradoxical information has been obtained. Here we review the current scientific literature regarding ERK1/2 signaling in the modulation of pain, depression and anxiety, including the emotional-affective spheres of the pain experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisela Borges
- Neuropsycopharmacology and Psychobiology Research Group, Department of Neuroscience (Pharmacology and Psychiatry), University of Cádiz, 11003 Cádiz, Spain; Departamento de Biologia Experimental, Centro de Investigação Médica da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto (CIM-FMUP), 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; Grupo de Morfofisiologia do Sistema Nervoso, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Porto, Portugal
| | - Esther Berrocoso
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Neuropsychopharmacology and Psychobiology Research Group, Psychobiology Area, Department of Psychology, University of Cádiz, 11510 Cádiz, Spain
| | - Juan Antonio Mico
- Neuropsycopharmacology and Psychobiology Research Group, Department of Neuroscience (Pharmacology and Psychiatry), University of Cádiz, 11003 Cádiz, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fani Neto
- Departamento de Biologia Experimental, Centro de Investigação Médica da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto (CIM-FMUP), 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; Grupo de Morfofisiologia do Sistema Nervoso, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Porto, Portugal.
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Bian H, Yu LC. Intra-nucleus accumbens administration of the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II inhibitor AIP induced antinociception in rats with mononeuropathy. Neurosci Lett 2015; 599:129-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2015.05.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2015] [Revised: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Abstract
Neural circuits that determine the perception and modulation of pain remain poorly understood. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) provides top-down control of sensory and affective processes. While animal and human imaging studies have shown that the PFC is involved in pain regulation, its exact role in pain states remains incompletely understood. A key output target for the PFC is the nucleus accumbens (NAc), an important component of the reward circuitry. Interestingly, recent human imaging studies suggest that the projection from the PFC to the NAc is altered in chronic pain. The function of this corticostriatal projection in pain states, however, is not known. Here we show that optogenetic activation of the PFC produces strong antinociceptive effects in a rat model (spared nerve injury model) of persistent neuropathic pain. PFC activation also reduces the affective symptoms of pain. Furthermore, we show that this pain-relieving function of the PFC is likely mediated by projections to the NAc. Thus, our results support a novel role for corticostriatal circuitry in pain regulation.
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Higgins GA, Silenieks LB, Van Niekerk A, Desnoyer J, Patrick A, Lau W, Thevarkunnel S. Enduring attentional deficits in rats treated with a peripheral nerve injury. Behav Brain Res 2015; 286:347-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.02.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Revised: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Brain neuroplastic changes accompany anxiety and memory deficits in a model of complex regional pain syndrome. Anesthesiology 2014; 121:852-65. [PMID: 25093591 DOI: 10.1097/aln.0000000000000403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a painful condition with approximately 50,000 annual new cases in the United States. It is a major cause of work-related disability, chronic pain after limb fractures, and persistent pain after extremity surgery. Additionally, CRPS patients often experience cognitive changes, anxiety, and depression. The supraspinal mechanisms linked to these CRPS-related comorbidities remain poorly understood. METHODS The authors used a previously characterized mouse model of tibia fracture/cast immobilization showing the principal stigmata of CRPS (n = 8 to 20 per group) observed in humans. The central hypothesis was that fracture/cast mice manifest changes in measures of thigmotaxis (indicative of anxiety) and working memory reflected in neuroplastic changes in amygdala, perirhinal cortex, and hippocampus. RESULTS The authors demonstrate that nociceptive sensitization in these mice is accompanied by altered thigmotactic behaviors in the zero maze but not open field assay, and working memory dysfunction in novel object recognition and social memory but not in novel location recognition. Furthermore, the authors found evidence of structural changes and synaptic plasticity including changes in dendritic architecture and decreased levels of synaptophysin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in specific brain regions. CONCLUSIONS The study findings provide novel observations regarding behavioral changes and brain plasticity in a mouse model of CRPS. In addition to elucidating some of the supraspinal correlates of the syndrome, this work supports the potential use of therapeutic interventions that not only directly target sensory input and other peripheral mechanisms, but also attempt to ameliorate the broader pain experience by modifying its associated cognitive and emotional comorbidities.
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Sui P, Watanabe H, Ossipov MH, Bakalkin G, Artemenko K, Bergquist J. Proteomics of Neuropathic Pain: Proteins and Signaling Pathways Affected in a Rat Model. J Proteome Res 2014; 13:3957-65. [DOI: 10.1021/pr500241q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michael H. Ossipov
- Department
of Pharmacology, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, 1501
North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85724, United States
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Leite-Almeida H, Guimarães MR, Cerqueira JJ, Ribeiro-Costa N, Anjos-Martins H, Sousa N, Almeida A. Asymmetric c-fos expression in the ventral orbital cortex is associated with impaired reversal learning in a right-sided neuropathy. Mol Pain 2014; 10:41. [PMID: 24958202 PMCID: PMC4106227 DOI: 10.1186/1744-8069-10-41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2014] [Accepted: 06/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently we showed that unilateral peripheral neuropathic lesions impacted differentially on rat's emotional/cognitive behavior depending on its left/right location; importantly, this observation recapitulates clinical reports. The prefrontal cortex (PFC), a brain region morphofunctionally affected in chronic pain conditions, is involved in the modulation of both emotion and executive function and displays functional lateralization. To test whether the PFC is involved in the lateralization bias associated with left/right pain, c-fos expression in medial and orbital areas was analyzed in rats with an unilateral spared nerve injury neuropathy installed in the left or in the right side after performing an attentional set-shifting, a strongly PFC-dependent task. RESULTS SNI-R animals required more trials to successfully terminate the reversal steps of the attentional set-shifting task. A generalized increase of c-fos density in medial and orbital PFC (mPFC/OFC), irrespectively of the hemisphere, was observed in both SNI-L and SNI-R. However, individual laterality indexes revealed that contrary to controls and SNI-L, SNI-R animals presented a leftward shift in c-fos density in the ventral OFC (VO). None of these effects were observed in the neighboring primary motor area. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that chronic neuropathic pain is associated with a bilateral mPFC and OFC hyperactivation. We hypothesize that the impaired performance of SNI-R animals is associated with a left/right activity inversion in the VO, whose functional integrity is critical for reversal learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
| | - Marco Rafael Guimarães
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - João José Cerqueira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Ribeiro-Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Helena Anjos-Martins
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Armando Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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Liu MG, Zhuo M. No requirement of TRPV1 in long-term potentiation or long-term depression in the anterior cingulate cortex. Mol Brain 2014; 7:27. [PMID: 24708859 PMCID: PMC4234987 DOI: 10.1186/1756-6606-7-27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2014] [Accepted: 03/28/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
One major interest in the study of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) in sensory system is that it may serve as a drug target for treating chronic pain. While the roles of TRPV1 in peripheral nociception and sensitization have been well documented, less is known about its contribution to pain-related cortical plasticity. Here, we used 64 multi-electrode array recording to examine the potential role of TRPV1 in two major forms of synaptic plasticity, long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). We found that pharmacological blockade of TRPV1 with either [(E)-3-(4-t-Butylphenyl)-N-(2,3-dihydrobenzo[b][1,4]dioxin-6-yl)acrylamide] (AMG9810, 10 μM) or N-(3-methoxyphenyl)-4-chlorocinnamide (SB366791, 20 μM) failed to affect LTP induced by strong theta burst stimulation in the ACC of adult mice. Similarly, neither AMG9810 nor SB366791 blocked the cingulate LTD induced by low-frequency stimulation. Analysis of the results from different layers of the ACC obtained the same conclusions. Spatial distribution of LTP or LTD-showing channels among the ACC network was also unaltered by the TRPV1 antagonists. Since cortical LTP and LTD in the ACC play critical roles in chronic pain triggered by inflammation or nerve injury, our findings suggest that TRPV1 may not be a viable target for treating chronic pain, especially at the cortical level.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Min Zhuo
- Center for Neuron and Disease, Frontier Institute of Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
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