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Aderibigbe T, Kelleher SL, Henderson WA, Prescott S, Young EE, Lucas RF. COMT Variants are Associated With Breast and Nipple Pain. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2024; 25:104568. [PMID: 38763257 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.104568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Estimates suggest that only 24.9% of infants born in 2019 were exclusively breastfed before 6 months of age, despite the known health benefits of exclusive breastfeeding. Breast and nipple pain is one of the primary determinants of exclusive breastfeeding. Environmental contributions to breastfeeding success have been reported extensively in the literature, but the contribution(s) of maternal genetics has yet to be discovered. The purpose of the study was to identify an association between pain and lactation-related gene variants with exclusive breastfeeding determinants. We selected 4 genes having single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with potential functional significance in breastfeeding and pain: prolactin receptor (PRLR), oxytocin receptor (OXTR), catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), and milk fat globule epidermal growth factor and factor V/VIII domain containing (MFGE8). We performed a cross-sectional secondary analysis of a longitudinal randomized controlled trial study, Promoting Self-Management of Breast and Nipple Pain with Biomarkers and Technology for Breastfeeding Women (NCT05262920). Breast and nipple pain, perceived insufficient milk, and breastfeeding self-efficacy were examined using total scale scores for the Brief Pain Inventory, Visual Analog Scale, H&H Lactation Scale, and the Breastfeeding Self-efficacy Scale-short form, respectively. Of the candidate genes examined, SNPs within COMT were significantly associated with breastfeeding-related outcomes. Specifically, COMT rs4633 and rs4680 minor allele carriers (T, A) reported higher breast and nipple pain intensity than women homozygous for the major allele (C, G). COMT is the most widely researched "pain gene" and has been linked to cold, postoperative, and postpartum pain. This study is the first to identify a contribution of COMT variants to breast and nipple pain and, as a result, to breastfeeding exclusivity. PERSPECTIVE: Two SNPs in the pain gene COMT are associated with breast and nipple pain. Clinically, a minor allele in COMT rs4633 and rs4680 may increase a woman's rating of moderate breast and nipple pain. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROMPT was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (protocol #NCT05262920).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shannon L Kelleher
- Department of Biomedical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, Massachusetts
| | - Wendy A Henderson
- School of Nursing, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut; School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Connecticut
| | | | - Erin E Young
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Perioperative Medicine, University of Kansas School of Medicine, KU Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Ruth F Lucas
- School of Nursing, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut; School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Connecticut.
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Mogil JS, Parisien M, Esfahani SJ, Diatchenko L. Sex differences in mechanisms of pain hypersensitivity. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 163:105749. [PMID: 38838876 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
The introduction of sex-as-a-biological-variable policies at funding agencies around the world has led to an explosion of very recent observations of sex differences in the biology underlying pain. This review considers evidence of sexually dimorphic mechanisms mediating pain hypersensitivity, derived from modern assays of persistent pain in rodent animal models. Three well-studied findings are described in detail: the male-specific role of spinal cord microglia, the female-specific role of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and the female-specific role of prolactin and its receptor. Other findings of sex-specific molecular involvement in pain are subjected to pathway analyses and reveal at least one novel hypothesis: that females may preferentially use Th1 and males Th2 T cell activity to mediate chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey S Mogil
- Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1B1, Canada.
| | - Marc Parisien
- Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1B1, Canada
| | - Sahel J Esfahani
- Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1B1, Canada
| | - Luda Diatchenko
- Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1B1, Canada
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3
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Grattan DR. Does the brain make prolactin? J Neuroendocrinol 2024:e13432. [PMID: 39041379 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
The prolactin receptor (Prlr) is widely expressed in the brain, particularly in the hypothalamus. Prolactin also has an increasing range of well-characterised effects on central nervous system function. Because of this, over many years, there has been interest in whether the hormone itself is also expressed within the brain, perhaps acting as a neuropeptide to regulate brain function via its receptor in neurons. The aim of this invited review is to critically evaluate the evidence for brain production of prolactin. Unlike the evidence for the Prlr, evidence for brain prolactin is inconsistent and variable. A range of different antibodies have been used, each characterising a different distribution of prolactin-like immunoreactivity. Prolactin mRNA has been detected in the brain, but only at levels markedly lower than seen in the pituitary gland. Importantly, it has largely only been detected by highly sensitive amplification-based techniques, and the extreme sensitivity means there is a risk of false-positive data. Modern in situ hybridisation methods and single-cell RNA sequencing have not provided supporting evidence, but it is hard to prove a negative! Finally, I acknowledge and discuss the possibility that prolactin might be produced in the brain under specific circumstances, such as to promote a neuroprotective response to cell damage. Collectively, however, based on this analysis, I have formed the opinion that brain production of prolactin is unlikely, and even if occurs, it is of little physiological consequence. Most, if not all of the brain actions of prolactin can be explained by pituitary prolactin gaining access to the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Grattan
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology and Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
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Chiang CC, Porreca F, Robertson CE, Dodick DW. Potential treatment targets for migraine: emerging options and future prospects. Lancet Neurol 2024; 23:313-324. [PMID: 38365382 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(24)00003-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Migraine is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Despite the recent approval of several calcitonin gene-related peptide-targeted therapies, many people with migraine do not achieve satisfactory headache improvement with currently available therapies and there continues to be an unmet need for effective and tolerable migraine-specific treatments. Exploring additional targets that have compelling evidence for their involvement in modulating migraine pathways is therefore imperative. Potential new therapies for migraine include pathways involved in nociception, regulation of homoeostasis, modulation of vasodilation, and reward circuits. Animal and human studies show that these targets are expressed in regions of the CNS and peripheral nervous system that are involved in pain processing, indicating that these targets might be regarded as promising for the discovery of new migraine therapies. Future studies will require assessment of whether targets are suitable for therapeutic modulation, including assessment of specificity, affinity, solubility, stability, efficacy, and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Frank Porreca
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | | | - David W Dodick
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Atria Academy of Science and Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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Lillis KV, Grinceviciute R, Diogenes A. Sex-specific nociceptor modulation of the apical periodontitis transcriptome. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1338511. [PMID: 38404963 PMCID: PMC10884291 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1338511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Apical periodontitis (AP) is a painful disease that develops quickly following dental infections and is primarily characterized by robust inflammation surrounding the tissues of the affected tooth, resulting in disruption of bone homeostasis and periradicular bone loss. Moreover, there are distinct clinical presentations, symptoms, and responses to AP treatment between male and female subjects, creating a desperate need to further understand the sex-specific mechanisms of AP. Methods: With the growing evidence that nociceptors modulate AP development, we utilized RNA sequencing in nociceptor-ablated (Nav1.8 cre+/-, diphtheria toxin Alox+/-) transgenic mice to study the nociceptor regulation of the periapical lesion transcriptome using a rodent model of AP in female mice over 14 days. Results: Overall, we found that female mice exhibit unique patterns of differentially expressed genes throughout AP infection compared to male mice and that the expression of these genes is regulated by nociceptors. Additionally, nociceptor ablation results in a more significant enrichment of biological processes related to immune responses earlier compared to cre-control (Nav1.8 cre+/-) females and greater expression of genes involved in inflammatory processes and osteolytic activity. Discussion: Therefore, while nociceptor ablation augments inflammatory and bone resorption responses in both males and females in a mouse model of AP, transcriptomic analyses demonstrate that the mechanisms through which nociceptors modulate AP are distinct between sexes. These studies will provide the foundation needed to study further mechanisms of sex differences in AP, an area with a desperate need for investigation to treat current AP patients. Understanding these mechanisms can ultimately inform treatment options to alleviate suffering for millions of patients suffering from AP.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anibal Diogenes
- Department of Endodontics, University of Texas Health at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
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Viudez-Martínez A, Torregrosa AB, Navarrete F, García-Gutiérrez MS. Understanding the Biological Relationship between Migraine and Depression. Biomolecules 2024; 14:163. [PMID: 38397400 PMCID: PMC10886628 DOI: 10.3390/biom14020163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Migraine is a highly prevalent neurological disorder. Among the risk factors identified, psychiatric comorbidities, such as depression, seem to play an important role in its onset and clinical course. Patients with migraine are 2.5 times more likely to develop a depressive disorder; this risk becomes even higher in patients suffering from chronic migraine or migraine with aura. This relationship is bidirectional, since depression also predicts an earlier/worse onset of migraine, increasing the risk of migraine chronicity and, consequently, requiring a higher healthcare expenditure compared to migraine alone. All these data suggest that migraine and depression may share overlapping biological mechanisms. Herein, this review explores this topic in further detail: firstly, by introducing the common epidemiological and risk factors for this comorbidity; secondly, by focusing on providing the cumulative evidence of common biological aspects, with a particular emphasis on the serotoninergic system, neuropeptides such as calcitonin-gene-related peptide (CGRP), pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), substance P, neuropeptide Y and orexins, sexual hormones, and the immune system; lastly, by remarking on the future challenges required to elucidate the etiopathological mechanisms of migraine and depression and providing updated information regarding new key targets for the pharmacological treatment of these clinical entities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrián Viudez-Martínez
- Hospital Pharmacy Service, Hospital General Dr. Balmis de Alicante, 03010 Alicante, Spain;
| | - Abraham B. Torregrosa
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03550 San Juan de Alicante, Spain; (A.B.T.); (F.N.)
- Research Network on Primary Addictions, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - Francisco Navarrete
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03550 San Juan de Alicante, Spain; (A.B.T.); (F.N.)
- Research Network on Primary Addictions, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - María Salud García-Gutiérrez
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03550 San Juan de Alicante, Spain; (A.B.T.); (F.N.)
- Research Network on Primary Addictions, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain
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Barry AM, Zhao N, Yang X, Bennett DL, Baskozos G. Deep RNA-seq of male and female murine sensory neuron subtypes after nerve injury. Pain 2023; 164:2196-2215. [PMID: 37318015 PMCID: PMC10502896 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons have been well described for their role in driving both acute and chronic pain. Although nerve injury is known to cause transcriptional dysregulation, how this differs across neuronal subtypes and the impact of sex is unclear. Here, we study the deep transcriptional profiles of multiple murine DRG populations in early and late pain states while considering sex. We have exploited currently available transgenics to label numerous subpopulations for fluorescent-activated cell sorting and subsequent transcriptomic analysis. Using bulk tissue samples, we are able to circumvent the issues of low transcript coverage and drop-outs seen with single-cell data sets. This increases our power to detect novel and even subtle changes in gene expression within neuronal subtypes and discuss sexual dimorphism at the neuronal subtype level. We have curated this resource into an accessible database for other researchers ( https://livedataoxford.shinyapps.io/drg-directory/ ). We see both stereotyped and unique subtype signatures in injured states after nerve injury at both an early and late timepoint. Although all populations contribute to a general injury signature, subtype enrichment changes can also be seen. Within populations, there is not a strong intersection of sex and injury, but previously unknown sex differences in naïve states-particularly in Aβ-RA + Aδ-low threshold mechanoreceptors-still contribute to differences in injured neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison M. Barry
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Na Zhao
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Xun Yang
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - David L. Bennett
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Georgios Baskozos
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Martinez CI, Liktor-Busa E, Largent-Milnes TM. Molecular mechanisms of hormones implicated in migraine and the translational implication for transgender patients. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2023; 4:1117842. [PMID: 37795389 PMCID: PMC10546064 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2023.1117842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Migraine is a primary headache disorder recognized by the World Health Organization as one of the most poorly understood and debilitating neurological conditions impacting global disability. Chronic pain disorders are more frequently diagnosed among cisgender women than men, suggesting that female sex hormones could be responsible for mediating chronic pain, including migraine and/or that androgens can be protective. This review discusses the major gonadal hormones, estrogens, progesterone, and testosterone in the context of molecular mechanisms by which they play a role in migraine pathophysiology. In addition, the literature to date describing roles of minor sex hormones including prolactin, luteinizing hormone, follicular stimulating hormone, and gonadotropin releasing hormone in migraine are presented. Because transgender and gender non-conforming (trans*) individuals are an underserved patient population in which gender-affirming sex hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is often medically necessary to align biological sex with gender identity, results from cisgender patient populations are discussed in the context of these major and minor sex hormones on migraine incidence and management in trans* patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tally M. Largent-Milnes
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
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Zhang L, Zhao Y, Liu X, Chen J, Sun M, Zhang J, Zhang W. Changes in sex hormones and their interactions are related to pain perception between different menstrual subphases. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2023; 325:R280-R289. [PMID: 37458377 PMCID: PMC10625833 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00275.2022] [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: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Whether sex hormones are related to pain perception across the menstrual cycle is unclear. We examined changes in experimental pain perception in healthy young females between the early to midfollicular subphase (emF) and the midluteal subphase (mL) and explored the role of sex hormones. Sixty-six participants were involved in the study. We tested pressure pain, cold pain, ischemic pain, and needle pain, while at the same time we measured sex hormones levels in two menstrual subphases. Only the right ulna pressure test showed a significant reduction in pain threshold (PPTh3) during the mL. The absolute change of PPTh3 (PPTh3mL - PPTh3emF) was related to the absolute change of prolactin. The relative change of the range of pain tolerance for pressure pain of the right ulna (RPT3rc) was related to the relative change of progesterone (Prc) and estradiol (E2rc) levels, and the interaction effects showed that at Prc ≤ 30, E2rc was positively correlated with RPT3rc. The same, the relative change of pressure pain tolerance of the pulp of the middle finger on the right hand (PPTo4rc) was related to E2rc and Prc, and the results of the interaction between E2rc and Prc suggest that when E2rc is ≤0.8, Prc is positively correlated with PPTo4rc. Two different formulas were applied in this study and showed inconsistent results. Most pain tests showed no difference between the two subphases of the menstrual cycle. Only the relative changes of the PPTo4 and RPT3 are related to the E2rc and Prc, respectively, between menstrual subphases in an interactive way in healthy young women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyao Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinmin Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Chen
- Department of Ultrasound, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingyang Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaqiang Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
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Kopruszinski CM, Watanabe M, Martinez AL, Moreira de Souza LH, Dodick DW, Moutal A, Neugebauer V, Porreca F, Navratilova E. Kappa opioid receptor agonists produce sexually dimorphic and prolactin-dependent hyperalgesic priming. Pain 2023; 164:e263-e273. [PMID: 36625833 PMCID: PMC10285741 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Repeated stress produces hyperalgesic priming in preclinical models, but underlying mechanisms remain uncertain. As stress engages kappa opioid receptors (KORs), we hypothesized that repeated administration of KOR agonists might mimic, in part, stress-induced hyperalgesic priming. The potential contribution of circulating prolactin (PRL) and dysregulation of the expression of PRL receptor (PRLR) isoforms in sensory neurons after KOR agonist administration was also investigated. Mice received 3 daily doses of U-69593 or nalfurafine as a "first-hit" stimulus followed by assessment of periorbital tactile allodynia. Sixteen days after the first KOR agonist administration, animals received a subthreshold dose of inhalational umbellulone, a TRPA1 agonist, as the second-hit stimulus and periorbital allodynia was assessed. Cabergoline, a dopamine D2 receptor agonist, was used to inhibit circulating PRL in additional cohorts. Prolactin receptor isoforms were quantified in the V1 region of the trigeminal ganglion after repeated doses of U-69593. In both sexes, KOR agonists increased circulating PRL and produced allodynia that resolved within 14 days. Hyperalgesic priming, revealed by umbellulone-induced allodynia in animals previously treated with the KOR agonists, also occurred in both sexes. However, repeated U-69593 downregulated the PRLR long isoform in trigeminal neurons only in female mice. Umbellulone-induced allodynia was prevented by cabergoline co-treatment during priming with KOR agonists in female, but not male, mice. Hyperalgesic priming therefore occurs in both sexes after either biased or nonbiased KOR agonists. However, a PRL/PRLR-dependence is observed only in female nociceptors possibly contributing to pain in stress-related pain disorders in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline M. Kopruszinski
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States. Moutal is now with the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Moe Watanabe
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States. Moutal is now with the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Ashley L. Martinez
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States. Moutal is now with the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Luiz Henrique Moreira de Souza
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States. Moutal is now with the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - David W. Dodick
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Aubin Moutal
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States. Moutal is now with the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Volker Neugebauer
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience and Garrison Institute on Aging, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Frank Porreca
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States. Moutal is now with the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Edita Navratilova
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States. Moutal is now with the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
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Reda H. Neurologic Complications of Endocrine Disorders. Continuum (Minneap Minn) 2023; 29:887-902. [PMID: 37341334 DOI: 10.1212/con.0000000000001262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This article provides an overview of the neurologic complications of the most prevalent endocrine disorders in adults with an emphasis on relevant neurologic symptoms, signs, and laboratory and neuroimaging findings. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Although the mechanisms of many of the neurologic complications discussed here remain unclear, our understanding of the impacts of diabetes and hypothyroidism on the nervous system and muscle, including complications of rapid correction of chronic hyperglycemia, has advanced in recent years. Recent large studies have not demonstrated a convincing association between subclinical or overt hypothyroidism and cognitive decline. ESSENTIAL POINTS Neurologists must become familiar with the neurologic complications of endocrine disorders not only because they are common and treatable (and often reversible) but also because they may be iatrogenic, as is the case with adrenal insufficiency in the setting of long-term corticosteroid therapy.
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12
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Togha M, Nematgorgani S, Ghorbani Z, Rafiee P, Haghighi S. Increased serum prolactin level may indicate more migraine attack frequency. Brain Behav 2023:e3063. [PMID: 37190874 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Migraine is a common, multifactorial disorder. The exact pathomechanism of migraine remains unclear. Studies have revealed changes in serum prolactin (PRL) levels in relation to migraine, although the results have been inconsistent. The present case-control study assessed the serum level of prolactin in migraine patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this case-control study, participants were divided into chronic migraine (CM; n = 39), episodic migraine in ictal (during an attack), and interictal (between attacks) phases (n = 63, n = 37, respectively) along with 30 age- and sex-matched headache-free controls. After obtaining demographic, anthropometric data, and headache characteristics, blood samples were gathered and analyzed to evaluate the serum levels of prolactin (ng/mL). RESULTS A significant difference was observed between the control, CM, and ictal EM, and interictal EM groups. The mean ± SD serum prolactin levels of the chronic migraineurs (1.82 ± 0.94) and those with ictal EM (1.93 ± 1.70) were comparable and were significantly higher than for interictal EM patients (0.82 ± 0.46) and the headache-free control subjects (0.49 ± 0.15; p < .001). Although the mean serum concentration of prolactin for the interictal EM group tended to be higher than for control individuals, this difference was not statistically significant. The Spearman's correlation test also showed significant correlations between the serum prolactin levels and the number of headaches days among migraineurs. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that there might be an association between increased prolactin concentrations and migraine headache induction and progression. Further detailed and well-designed studies are needed to confirm the importance of serum prolactin levels in the pathogenesis of migraine headaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansoureh Togha
- Headache Department, Iranian Centre of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Headache Department, Neurology Ward, Sina Hospital, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shiva Nematgorgani
- Headache Department, Iranian Centre of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zeinab Ghorbani
- Cardiovascular Diseases Research Center, Department of Cardiology, Heshmat Hospital, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Pegah Rafiee
- Headache Department, Iranian Centre of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samaneh Haghighi
- Headache Department, Iranian Centre of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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13
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Lee GJ, Porreca F, Navratilova E. Prolactin and pain of endometriosis. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 247:108435. [PMID: 37169264 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Women experience chronic pain more often than men with some pain conditions being specific to women while others are more prevalent in women. Prolactin, a neuropeptide hormone with higher serum levels in women, has recently been demonstrated in preclinical studies to sensitize nociceptive sensory neurons in a sexually dimorphic manner. Dysregulation of prolactin and prolactin receptors may be responsible for increased pain especially in female predominant conditions such as migraine, fibromyalgia, and pelvic pain. In this review, we focus on the role of prolactin in endometriosis, a condition characterized by pelvic pain and infertility that affects a large proportion of women during their reproductive age. We discuss the symptoms and pathology of endometriosis and discuss how different sources of prolactin secretion may contribute to this disease. We highlight our current understanding of prolactin-mediated mechanisms of nociceptor sensitization in females and how this mechanism may apply to endometriosis. Lastly, we report the results of a systematic review of clinical studies conducted by searching the PubMed and EMBASE databases to identify association between endometriosis and blood levels of prolactin. The results of this search strongly indicate that serum prolactin levels are increased in patients with endometriosis and support the possibility that high levels of prolactin may promote pelvic pain in these patients and increase vulnerability to other comorbid pain conditions likely by dysregulating prolactin receptor expression. Targeting of prolactin and prolactin receptors may improve management of pain associated with endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace J Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Frank Porreca
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Edita Navratilova
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
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14
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Szewczyk AK, Ulutas S, Aktürk T, Al-Hassany L, Börner C, Cernigliaro F, Kodounis M, Lo Cascio S, Mikolajek D, Onan D, Ragaglini C, Ratti S, Rivera-Mancilla E, Tsanoula S, Villino R, Messlinger K, Maassen Van Den Brink A, de Vries T. Prolactin and oxytocin: potential targets for migraine treatment. J Headache Pain 2023; 24:31. [PMID: 36967387 PMCID: PMC10041814 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-023-01557-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Migraine is a severe neurovascular disorder of which the pathophysiology is not yet fully understood. Besides the role of inflammatory mediators that interact with the trigeminovascular system, cyclic fluctuations in sex steroid hormones are involved in the sex dimorphism of migraine attacks. In addition, the pituitary-derived hormone prolactin and the hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin have been reported to play a modulating role in migraine and contribute to its sex-dependent differences. The current narrative review explores the relationship between these two hormones and the pathophysiology of migraine. We describe the physiological role of prolactin and oxytocin, its relationship to migraine and pain, and potential therapies targeting these hormones or their receptors.In summary, oxytocin and prolactin are involved in nociception in opposite ways. Both operate at peripheral and central levels, however, prolactin has a pronociceptive effect, while oxytocin appears to have an antinociceptive effect. Therefore, migraine treatment targeting prolactin should aim to block its effects using prolactin receptor antagonists or monoclonal antibodies specifically acting at migraine-pain related structures. This action should be local in order to avoid a decrease in prolactin levels throughout the body and associated adverse effects. In contrast, treatment targeting oxytocin should enhance its signalling and antinociceptive effects, for example using intranasal administration of oxytocin, or possibly other oxytocin receptor agonists. Interestingly, the prolactin receptor and oxytocin receptor are co-localized with estrogen receptors as well as calcitonin gene-related peptide and its receptor, providing a positive perspective on the possibilities for an adequate pharmacological treatment of these nociceptive pathways. Nevertheless, many questions remain to be answered. More particularly, there is insufficient data on the role of sex hormones in men and the correct dosing according to sex differences, hormonal changes and comorbidities. The above remains a major challenge for future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna K Szewczyk
- Doctoral School, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Samiye Ulutas
- Department of Neurology, Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tülin Aktürk
- Department of Neurology, Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Linda Al-Hassany
- Division of Vascular Medicine and Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Corinna Börner
- Department of Pediatrics - Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, LMU Hospital, Division of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Lindwurmstr. 4, 80337, Munich, Germany
- LMU Center for Children with Medical Complexity - iSPZ Hauner, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Lindwurmstr. 4, 80337, Munich, Germany
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, School of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675, Munich, Germany
- TUM-Neuroimaging Center, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Federica Cernigliaro
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit Department, Pro.M.I.S.E. "G D'Alessandro, University of Palermo, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Michalis Kodounis
- First Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Salvatore Lo Cascio
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit Department, Pro.M.I.S.E. "G D'Alessandro, University of Palermo, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - David Mikolajek
- Department of Neurology, City Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Dilara Onan
- Spine Health Unit, Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Ragaglini
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Susanna Ratti
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Eduardo Rivera-Mancilla
- Division of Vascular Medicine and Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sofia Tsanoula
- Department of Neurology, 401 Military Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Rafael Villino
- Department of Neurology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Karl Messlinger
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Antoinette Maassen Van Den Brink
- Division of Vascular Medicine and Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tessa de Vries
- Division of Vascular Medicine and Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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15
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Abstract
Medication overuse headache (MOH) is a secondary headache disorder attributed to overuse of acute headache medications by a person with an underlying headache disorder, usually migraine or tension-type headache. MOH is common among individuals with 15 or more headache days per month. Although MOH is associated with substantial disability and reductions in quality of life, this condition is often under-recognized. As MOH is both preventable and treatable, it warrants greater attention and awareness. The diagnosis of MOH is based on the history and an unremarkable neurological examination, and is made according to the diagnostic criteria of the International Classification of Headache Disorders third edition (ICHD-3). Pathophysiological mechanisms of MOH include altered descending pain modulation, central sensitization and biobehavioural factors. Treatment of MOH includes the use of headache preventive therapies, but essential to success is eliminating the cause, by reducing the frequency of use of acute headache medication, and perhaps withdrawing the overused medication altogether. Appropriate treatment is usually highly effective, leading to reduced headache burden and acute medication consumption.
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16
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Maciuba S, Bowden GD, Stratton HJ, Wisniewski K, Schteingart CD, Almagro JC, Valadon P, Lowitz J, Glaser SM, Lee G, Dolatyari M, Navratilova E, Porreca F, Rivière PJ. Discovery and characterization of prolactin neutralizing monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of female-prevalent pain disorders. MAbs 2023; 15:2254676. [PMID: 37698877 PMCID: PMC10498814 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2023.2254676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Prolactin (PRL) has recently been demonstrated to elicit female-selective nociceptor sensitization and increase pain-like behaviors in female animals. Here we report the discovery and characterization of first-in-class, humanized PRL neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (PRL mAbs). We obtained two potent and selective PRL mAbs, PL 200,031 and PL 200,039. PL 200,031 was engineered as human IgG1 whereas PL 200,039 was reformatted as human IgG4. Both mAbs have sub-nanomolar affinity for human PRL (hPRL) and produce concentration-dependent and complete inhibition of hPRL signaling at the hPRL receptor (hPRLR). These two PRL mAbs are selective for hPRL as they do not inhibit other hPRLR agonists such as human growth hormone or placental lactogen. They also cross-react with non-human primate PRL but not with rodent PRL. Further, both mAbs show long clearance half-lives after intravenous administration in FcRn-humanized mice. Consistent with their isotypes, these mAbs only differ in binding affinities to Fcγ receptors, as expected by design. Finally, PL 200,019, the murine parental mAb of PL 200,031 and PL 200,039, fully blocked stress-induced and PRL-dependent pain behaviors in female PRL-humanized mice, thereby providing in vivo preclinical proof-of-efficacy for PRL mAbs in mechanisms relevant to pain in females.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Grace Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Mahdi Dolatyari
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Edita Navratilova
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Frank Porreca
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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17
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Li W, Liu R, Liu W, Li G, Chen C. The effect of topiramate versus flunarizine on the non-headache symptoms of migraine. Int J Neurosci 2023; 133:19-25. [PMID: 33499714 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2021.1881091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the impact of topiramate versus flunarizine on the non-headache symptoms (NHS) of migraine, and to observe the changes of dopamine (DA) and prolactin (PRL) before and after prophylactic treatment. METHODS Sixty-six episodic migraine patients were enrolled and randomized 1:1 to receive either flunarizine or topiramate treatment. Clinical characteristics and NHS associated with migraine were investigated before and after prophylactic treatment. The DA and PRL levels were also determined before and after prophylactic treatment. RESULTS The NHS of migraine in the two groups were significantly better after treatment than before treatment in premonitory phase (PP), headache phase (HP), and resolution phase (RP). The NHS in the two groups had no significant difference in PP, HP, and RP before and after treatment. In the flunarizine group, the PRL content after treatment was significantly higher than that before treatment (t = -4.097, p < 0.001), but the DA content was decreased slightly compared with that before treatment (t = 1.909, p = 0.066). There was no significant difference in PRL content (t = 1.099, p = 0.280) and DA content (t = 1.556, p = 0.130) in topiramate group before and after treatment. CONCLUSIONS The two classical prophylactic drugs of migraine were significantly effective in treating the NHS of migraine, but there was no significant difference between the two drugs. The DA-PRL axis may be involved in the underlying mechanism of the flunarizine treatment for the NHS of migraine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Liaocheng Brain Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong Province, China
| | - Ruiting Liu
- Department of Neurology, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong Province, China
| | - Weidong Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Liaocheng Brain Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong Province, China
| | - Guolei Li
- Department of Neurology, Liaocheng Third People's Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong Province, China
| | - Chunfu Chen
- Department of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Department of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
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18
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Kitagawa S, Tang C, Unekawa M, Kayama Y, Nakahara J, Shibata M. Sustained Effects of CGRP Blockade on Cortical Spreading Depolarization-Induced Alterations in Facial Heat Pain Threshold, Light Aversiveness, and Locomotive Activity in the Light Environment. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213807. [PMID: 36430285 PMCID: PMC9698572 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A migraine is clinically characterized by repeated headache attacks that entail considerable disability. Many patients with migraines experience postdrome, the symptoms of which include tiredness and photophobia. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (GGRP) is critically implicated in migraine pathogenesis. Cortical spreading depolarization (CSD), the biological correlate of migraine aura, sensitizes the trigeminovascular system. In our previous study, CSD caused hypomotility in the light zone and tendency for photophobia at 72 h, at which time trigeminal sensitization had disappeared. We proposed that this CSD-induced disease state would be useful for exploring therapeutic strategies for migraine postdrome. In the present study, we observed that the CGRP receptor antagonist, olcegepant, prevented the hypomotility in the light zone and ameliorated light tolerability at 72 h after CSD induction. Moreover, olcegepant treatment significantly elevated the threshold for facial heat pain at 72 h after CSD. Our results raise the possibility that CGRP blockade may be efficacious in improving hypoactivity in the light environment by enhancing light tolerability during migraine postdrome. Moreover, our data suggest that the CGRP pathway may lower the facial heat pain threshold even in the absence of overt trigeminal sensitization, which provides an important clue to the potential mechanism whereby CGRP blockade confers migraine prophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Kitagawa
- Department of Neurology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Chunhua Tang
- Department of Neurology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Neurology and Centre for Clinical Neuroscience, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - Miyuki Unekawa
- Department of Neurology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Yohei Kayama
- Department of Neurology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Jin Nakahara
- Department of Neurology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Mamoru Shibata
- Department of Neurology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital, Chiba 272-8513, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-3-5363-3788
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19
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Lalli E, Figueiredo BC. Prolactin as an adrenocorticotropic hormone: Prolactin signalling is a conserved key regulator of sexually dimorphic adrenal gland function in health and disease. Bioessays 2022; 44:e2200109. [PMID: 36000778 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202200109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
A large number of previous reports described an effect of the pituitary hormone prolactin (PRL) on steroid hormone production by the adrenal cortex. However, those studies remained anecdotal and were never converted into a conceptual and mechanistic framework, let alone being translated into clinical care. In the light of our recently published landmark study where we described PRL signalling as a pivotal regulator of the sexually dimorphic adrenal phenotype in mouse and of adrenal androgen production in humans, we present here the overarching hypothesis that PRL signalling increases the activity of Steroidogenic Factor-1 (SF-1/NR5A1), a transcription factor that has an essential role in adrenal gland development and function, to regulate adrenal cortex growth and hormonal production in physiological and pathological conditions. PRL can then be considered as a bona fide adrenocorticotropic hormone synergizing with ACTH in the endocrine control of adrenal cortex function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enzo Lalli
- EXPOGEN-CANCER CNRS International Research Project, 660 route des Lucioles, Sophia Antipolis, Valbonne, 06560, France.,Inserm, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Valbonne, France.,Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Valbonne, France.,Pelé Pequeno Principe Research Institute, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Bonald C Figueiredo
- EXPOGEN-CANCER CNRS International Research Project, 660 route des Lucioles, Sophia Antipolis, Valbonne, 06560, France.,Pelé Pequeno Principe Research Institute, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
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20
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Watanabe M, Kopruszinski CM, Moutal A, Ikegami D, Khanna R, Chen Y, Ross S, Mackenzie K, Stratton J, Dodick DW, Navratilova E, Porreca F. Dysregulation of serum prolactin links the hypothalamus with female nociceptors to promote migraine. Brain 2022; 145:2894-2909. [PMID: 35325034 PMCID: PMC9890468 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Migraine headache results from activation of meningeal nociceptors, however, the hypothalamus is activated many hours before the emergence of pain. How hypothalamic neural mechanisms may influence trigeminal nociceptor function remains unknown. Stress is a common migraine trigger that engages hypothalamic dynorphin/kappa opioid receptor (KOR) signalling and increases circulating prolactin. Prolactin acts at both long and short prolactin receptor isoforms that are expressed in trigeminal afferents. Following downregulation of the prolactin receptor long isoform, prolactin signalling at the prolactin receptor short isoform sensitizes nociceptors selectively in females. We hypothesized that stress may activate the kappa opioid receptor on tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic neurons to increase circulating prolactin leading to female-selective sensitization of trigeminal nociceptors through dysregulation of prolactin receptor isoforms. A mouse two-hit hyperalgesic priming model of migraine was used. Repeated restraint stress promoted vulnerability (i.e. first-hit priming) to a subsequent subthreshold (i.e. second-hit) stimulus from inhalational umbellulone, a TRPA1 agonist. Periorbital cutaneous allodynia served as a surrogate of migraine-like pain. Female and male KORCre; R26lsl-Sun1-GFP mice showed a high percentage of KORCre labelled neurons co-localized in tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cells in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus. Restraint stress increased circulating prolactin to a greater degree in females. Stress-primed, but not control, mice of both sexes developed periorbital allodynia following inhalational umbellulone. Gi-DREADD activation (i.e. inhibition through Gi-coupled signalling) in KORCre neurons in the arcuate nucleus also increased circulating prolactin and repeated chemogenetic manipulation of these neurons primed mice of both sexes to umbellulone. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-Cas9 deletion of the arcuate nucleus KOR prevented restraint stress-induced prolactin release in female mice and priming from repeated stress episodes in both sexes. Inhibition of circulating prolactin occurred with systemic cabergoline, a dopamine D2 receptor agonist, blocked priming selectively in females. Repeated restraint stress downregulated the prolactin receptor long isoform in the trigeminal ganglia of female mice. Deletion of prolactin receptor in trigeminal ganglia by nasal clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-Cas9 targeting both prolactin receptor isoforms prevented stress-induced priming in female mice. Stress-induced activation of hypothalamic KOR increases circulating prolactin resulting in trigeminal downregulation of prolactin receptor long and pain responses to a normally innocuous TRPA1 stimulus. These are the first data that provide a mechanistic link between stress-induced hypothalamic activation and the trigeminal nociceptor effectors that produce trigeminal sensitization and migraine-like pain. This sexually dimorphic mechanism may help to explain female prevalence of migraine. KOR antagonists, currently in phase II clinical trials, may be useful as migraine preventives in both sexes, while dopamine agonists and prolactin/ prolactin receptor antibodies may improve therapy for migraine, and other stress-related neurological disorders, in females.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Aubin Moutal
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Daigo Ikegami
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Rajesh Khanna
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Yanxia Chen
- Present address: The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Sensory Biology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Sarah Ross
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Kimberly Mackenzie
- Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd., Biologics Discovery, Redwood City, CA 94063, USA
| | - Jennifer Stratton
- Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd., Biologics Discovery, Redwood City, CA 94063, USA
| | - David W Dodick
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA
| | - Edita Navratilova
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Frank Porreca
- Correspondence to: Frank Porreca, PhD Department of Pharmacology University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson AZ 85724, USA E-mail:
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21
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A link between migraine and prolactin: the way forward. Future Sci OA 2021; 7:FSO748. [PMID: 34737888 PMCID: PMC8558870 DOI: 10.2144/fsoa-2021-0047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Migraine is an incapacitating neurological disorder that predominantly affects women. Sex and other hormones (e.g., oxytocin, and prolactin) may play a role in sexual dimorphic features of migraine. Initially, prolactin was recognized for its modulatory action in milk production and secretion; later, its roles in the regulation of the endocrine, immune and nervous systems were discovered. Higher prolactin levels in individuals with migraine were found in earlier studies, with a female sex-dominant trend. Studies that are more recent have identified that the expression of prolactin receptor in response to neuronal excitability and stress depends on sex with a dominant role in females. These findings have opened up potentials for explanation of sex-related pathophysiology of migraine, but have left some unanswered questions. This focused review examines the past and present of the link between prolactin and migraine, and presents open questions and directions for future experimental and clinical efforts. Sex hormones (e.g., estrogen and progesterone) have been investigated to explain the sex-related manifestation of migraine, which is predominant in females. Prolactin is known for promoting lactation, but accumulating evidence supports that it can promote pain in females. An increasing number of studies have shown that the expression of a prolactin receptor in female nociceptors and their responses to external stimuli such as stress are different, which can help explain the female sex-dominant feature of migraine. In this focused review, the current knowledge is presented and the directions where prolactin research in migraine may evolve are proposed. The ultimate goal is to shape an overview toward considering sex-based treatments for migraine with highlighting the role of prolactin.
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22
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Hormonal influences in migraine - interactions of oestrogen, oxytocin and CGRP. Nat Rev Neurol 2021; 17:621-633. [PMID: 34545218 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-021-00544-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Migraine is ranked as the second highest cause of disability worldwide and the first among women aged 15-49 years. Overall, the incidence of migraine is threefold higher among women than men, though the frequency and severity of attacks varies during puberty, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, the postpartum period and menopause. Reproductive hormones are clearly a key influence in the susceptibility of women to migraine. A fall in plasma oestrogen levels can trigger attacks of migraine without aura, whereas higher oestrogen levels seem to be protective. The basis of these effects is unknown. In this Review, we discuss what is known about sex hormones and their receptors in migraine-related areas in the CNS and the peripheral trigeminovascular pathway. We consider the actions of oestrogen via its multiple receptor subtypes and the involvement of oxytocin, which has been shown to prevent migraine attacks. We also discuss possible interactions of these hormones with the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) system in light of the success of anti-CGRP treatments. We propose a simple model to explain the hormone withdrawal trigger in menstrual migraine, which could provide a foundation for improved management and therapy for hormone-related migraine in women.
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23
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Reiss D, Maurin H, Audouard E, Martínez-Navarro M, Xue Y, Herault Y, Maldonado R, Cabañero D, Gaveriaux-Ruff C. Delta Opioid Receptor in Astrocytes Contributes to Neuropathic Cold Pain and Analgesic Tolerance in Female Mice. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:745178. [PMID: 34602984 PMCID: PMC8483180 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.745178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The delta opioid receptor (DOR) contributes to pain control, and a major challenge is the identification of DOR populations that control pain, analgesia, and tolerance. Astrocytes are known as important cells in the pathophysiology of chronic pain, and many studies report an increased prevalence of pain in women. However, the implication of astrocytic DOR in neuropathic pain and analgesia, as well as the influence of sex in this receptor activity, remains unknown. Experimental Approach: We developed a novel conditional knockout (cKO) mouse line wherein DOR is deleted in astrocytes (named GFAP-DOR-KO), and investigated neuropathic mechanical allodynia as well as analgesia and analgesic tolerance in mutant male and female mice. Neuropathic cold allodynia was also characterized in mice of both sexes lacking DOR either in astrocytes or constitutively. Results: Neuropathic mechanical allodynia was similar in GFAP-DOR-KO and floxed DOR control mice, and the DOR agonist SNC80 produced analgesia in mutant mice of both sexes. Interestingly, analgesic tolerance developed in cKO males and was abolished in cKO females. Cold neuropathic allodynia was reduced in mice with decreased DOR in astrocytes. By contrast, cold allodynia was exacerbated in full DOR KO females. Conclusions: These findings show that astrocytic DOR has a prominent role in promoting cold allodynia and analgesic tolerance in females, while overall DOR activity was protective. Altogether this suggests that endogenous- and exogenous-mediated DOR activity in astrocytes worsens neuropathic allodynia while DOR activity in other cells attenuates this form of pain. In conclusion, our results show a sex-specific implication of astrocytic DOR in neuropathic pain and analgesic tolerance. These findings open new avenues for developing tailored DOR-mediated analgesic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Reiss
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
| | - Hervé Maurin
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
| | - Emilie Audouard
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
| | - Miriam Martínez-Navarro
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yaping Xue
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
| | - Yann Herault
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
| | - Rafael Maldonado
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Cabañero
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Research, Development and Innovation in Healthcare Biotechnology of Elche (IDiBE), Universidad Miguel Hernández Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Claire Gaveriaux-Ruff
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
- Ecole Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
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Ikegami D, Navratilova E, Yue X, Moutal A, Kopruszinski CM, Khanna R, Patwardhan A, Dodick DW, Porreca F. A prolactin-dependent sexually dimorphic mechanism of migraine chronification. Cephalalgia 2021; 42:197-208. [PMID: 34510920 DOI: 10.1177/03331024211039813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Determination of possible sex differences in mechanisms promoting migraine progression and the contribution of prolactin and the prolactin long (PRLR-L) and short (PRLR-S) receptor isoforms. BACKGROUND The majority of patients with chronic migraine and medication overuse headache are female. Prolactin is present at higher levels in women and increases migraine. Prolactin signaling at the PRLR-S selectively sensitizes nociceptors in female rodents, while expression of the PRLR-L is protective. METHODS Medication overuse headache was modeled by repeated sumatriptan administration in male and female mice. Periorbital and hindpaw cutaneous allodynia served as a surrogate of migraine-like pain. PRLR-L and PRLR-S isoforms were measured in the trigeminal ganglion with western blotting. Possible co-localization of PRLR with serotonin 5HT1B and 5HT1D receptors was determined with RNAscope. Cabergoline, a dopamine receptor agonist that inhibits circulating prolactin, was co-administered with sumatriptan. Nasal administration of CRISPR/Cas9 plasmid was used to edit expression of both PRLR isoforms. RESULTS PRLR was co-localized with 5HT1B or 5HT1D receptors in the ophthalmic region of female trigeminal ganglion. A single injection of sumatriptan increased serum PRL levels in female mice. Repeated sumatriptan promoted cutaneous allodynia in both sexes but down-regulated trigeminal ganglion PRLR-L, without altering PRLR-S, only in females. Co-administration of sumatriptan with cabergoline prevented allodynia and down-regulation of PRLR-L only in females. CRISPR/Cas9 editing of both PRLR isoforms in the trigeminal ganglion prevented sumatriptan-induced periorbital allodynia in females. INTERPRETATION We identified a sexually dimorphic mechanism of migraine chronification that involves down-regulation of PRLR-L and increased signaling of circulating prolactin at PRLR-S. These studies reveal a previously unrecognized neuroendocrine mechanism linking the hypothalamus to nociceptor sensitization that increases the risk of migraine pain in females and suggest opportunities for novel sex-specific therapies including gene editing through nasal delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daigo Ikegami
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724
| | - Edita Navratilova
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724.,Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85259
| | - Xu Yue
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724
| | - Aubin Moutal
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724
| | | | - Rajesh Khanna
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724
| | - Amol Patwardhan
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724
| | - David W Dodick
- Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85259
| | - Frank Porreca
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724.,Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85259
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25
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Hovhannisyan AH, Son H, Mecklenburg J, Barba-Escobedo PA, Tram M, Gomez R, Shannonhouse J, Zou Y, Weldon K, Ruparel S, Lai Z, Tumanov AV, Kim YS, Akopian AN. Pituitary hormones are specifically expressed in trigeminal sensory neurons and contribute to pain responses in the trigeminal system. Sci Rep 2021; 11:17813. [PMID: 34497285 PMCID: PMC8426369 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97084-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Trigeminal (TG), dorsal root (DRG), and nodose/jugular (NG/JG) ganglia each possess specialized and distinct functions. We used RNA sequencing of two-cycle sorted Pirt-positive neurons to identify genes exclusively expressing in L3-L5 DRG, T10-L1 DRG, NG/JG, and TG mouse ganglion neurons. Transcription factor Phox2b and Efcab6 are specifically expressed in NG/JG while Hoxa7 is exclusively present in both T10-L1 and L3-L5 DRG neurons. Cyp2f2, Krt18, and Ptgds, along with pituitary hormone prolactin (Prl), growth hormone (Gh), and proopiomelanocortin (Pomc) encoding genes are almost exclusively in TG neurons. Immunohistochemistry confirmed selective expression of these hormones in TG neurons and dural nerves; and showed GH expression in subsets of TRPV1+ and CGRP+ TG neurons. We next examined GH roles in hypersensitivity in the spinal versus trigeminal systems. Exogenous GH produced mechanical hypersensitivity when injected intrathecally, but not intraplantarly. GH-induced thermal hypersensitivity was not detected in the spinal system. GH dose-dependently generated orofacial and headache-like periorbital mechanical hypersensitivity after administration into masseter muscle and dura, respectively. Periorbital mechanical hypersensitivity was reversed by a GH receptor antagonist, pegvisomant. Overall, pituitary hormone genes are selective for TG versus other ganglia somatotypes; and GH has distinctive functional significance in the trigeminal versus spinal systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anahit H Hovhannisyan
- Departments of Endodontics, The School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA
| | - Hyeonwi Son
- Departments of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Jennifer Mecklenburg
- Departments of Endodontics, The School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA
| | - Priscilla Ann Barba-Escobedo
- Departments of Endodontics, The School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA
| | - Meilinn Tram
- Departments of Endodontics, The School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA
- Programs in Integrated Biomedical Sciences and Translational Sciences, The School of Medicine, UTHSCSA, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Ruben Gomez
- Departments of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - John Shannonhouse
- Departments of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Yi Zou
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, UTHSCSA, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Korri Weldon
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, UTHSCSA, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Shivani Ruparel
- Departments of Endodontics, The School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA
- Programs in Integrated Biomedical Sciences and Translational Sciences, The School of Medicine, UTHSCSA, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Zhao Lai
- Departments of Molecular Medicine, Programs in Integrated Biomedical Sciences and Translational Sciences, The School of Medicine, UTHSCSA, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, UTHSCSA, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Alexei V Tumanov
- Departments of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, Programs in Integrated Biomedical Sciences and Translational Sciences, The School of Medicine, UTHSCSA, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- Programs in Integrated Biomedical Sciences and Translational Sciences, The School of Medicine, UTHSCSA, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Yu Shin Kim
- Departments of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- Programs in Integrated Biomedical Sciences and Translational Sciences, The School of Medicine, UTHSCSA, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Armen N Akopian
- Departments of Endodontics, The School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA.
- Programs in Integrated Biomedical Sciences and Translational Sciences, The School of Medicine, UTHSCSA, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
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26
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Neuroendocrine Mechanisms Governing Sex Differences in Hyperalgesic Priming Involve Prolactin Receptor Sensory Neuron Signaling. J Neurosci 2020; 40:7080-7090. [PMID: 32801151 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1499-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Many clinical and preclinical studies report higher prevalence and severity of chronic pain in females. We used hyperalgesic priming with interleukin 6 (IL-6) priming and PGE2 as a second stimulus as a model for pain chronicity. Intraplantar IL-6 induced hypersensitivity was similar in magnitude and duration in both males and females, while both paw and intrathecal PGE2 hypersensitivity was more persistent in females. This difference in PGE2 response was dependent on both circulating estrogen and translation regulation signaling in the spinal cord. In males, the duration of hypersensitivity was regulated by testosterone. Since the prolactin receptor (Prlr) is regulated by reproductive hormones and is female-selectively activated in sensory neurons, we evaluated whether Prlr signaling contributes to hyperalgesic priming. Using ΔPRL, a competitive Prlr antagonist, and a mouse line with ablated Prlr in the Nav1.8 sensory neuronal population, we show that Prlr in sensory neurons is necessary for the development of hyperalgesic priming in female, but not male, mice. Overall, sex-specific mechanisms in the initiation and maintenance of chronic pain are regulated by the neuroendocrine system and, specifically, sensory neuronal Prlr signaling.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Females are more likely to experience chronic pain than males, but the mechanisms that underlie this sex difference are not completely understood. Here, we demonstrate that the duration of mechanical hypersensitivity is dependent on circulating sex hormones in mice, where estrogen caused an extension of sensitivity and testosterone was responsible for a decrease in the duration of the hyperalgesic priming model of chronic pain. Additionally, we demonstrated that prolactin receptor expression in Nav1.8+ neurons was necessary for hyperalgesic priming in female, but not male, mice. Our work demonstrates a female-specific mechanism for the promotion of chronic pain involving the neuroendrocrine system and mediated by sensory neuronal prolactin receptor.
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