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Ding H, Zhou L, Zhou J, Feng J. Peripheral Mechanisms of Mechanical Itch. J Invest Dermatol 2024; 144:1449-1453. [PMID: 38206270 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.10.041] [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: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Mechanical itch, which is defined as an itch sensation caused by innocuous mechanical force, may warn of the potential risk in the skin. The increased mechanosensitivity in sensory neurons may cause scratch-induced itch and promote the transition from acute itch to chronic itch. Recent studies have not only expanded our knowledge about the neuronal circuits in the CNS but have also highlighted the importance of the peripheral epithelia-immune-neuronal crosstalk in the development of mechanical itch. In this review, we will summarize related findings about the molecular and cellular mechanisms of mechanical itch in the skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijuan Ding
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Liqin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaying Zhou
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Feng
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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2
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Upadhyay A, Gradwell MA, Vajtay TJ, Conner J, Sanyal AA, Azadegan C, Patel KR, Thackray JK, Bohic M, Imai F, Ogundare SO, Yoshida Y, Abdus-Saboor I, Azim E, Abraira VE. The Dorsal Column Nuclei Scale Mechanical Sensitivity in Naive and Neuropathic Pain States. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.20.581208. [PMID: 38712022 PMCID: PMC11071288 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.20.581208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Tactile perception relies on reliable transmission and modulation of low-threshold information as it travels from the periphery to the brain. During pathological conditions, tactile stimuli can aberrantly engage nociceptive pathways leading to the perception of touch as pain, known as mechanical allodynia. Two main drivers of peripheral tactile information, low-threshold mechanoreceptors (LTMRs) and postsynaptic dorsal column neurons (PSDCs), terminate in the brainstem dorsal column nuclei (DCN). Activity within the DRG, spinal cord, and DCN have all been implicated in mediating allodynia, yet the DCN remains understudied at the cellular, circuit, and functional levels compared to the other two. Here, we show that the gracile nucleus (Gr) of the DCN mediates tactile sensitivity for low-threshold stimuli and contributes to mechanical allodynia during neuropathic pain in mice. We found that the Gr contains local inhibitory interneurons in addition to thalamus-projecting neurons, which are differentially innervated by primary afferents and spinal inputs. Functional manipulations of these distinct Gr neuronal populations resulted in bidirectional changes to tactile sensitivity, but did not affect noxious mechanical or thermal sensitivity. During neuropathic pain, silencing Gr projection neurons or activating Gr inhibitory neurons was able to reduce tactile hypersensitivity, and enhancing inhibition was able to ameliorate paw withdrawal signatures of neuropathic pain, like shaking. Collectively, these results suggest that the Gr plays a specific role in mediating hypersensitivity to low-threshold, innocuous mechanical stimuli during neuropathic pain, and that Gr activity contributes to affective, pain-associated phenotypes of mechanical allodynia. Therefore, these brainstem circuits work in tandem with traditional spinal circuits underlying allodynia, resulting in enhanced signaling of tactile stimuli in the brain during neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aman Upadhyay
- W.M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA; Cell Biology and Neuroscience Department, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
- Brain Health Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
- Neuroscience PhD program at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Mark A Gradwell
- W.M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA; Cell Biology and Neuroscience Department, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
- Brain Health Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Thomas J Vajtay
- W.M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA; Cell Biology and Neuroscience Department, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - James Conner
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Arnab A Sanyal
- W.M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA; Cell Biology and Neuroscience Department, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Chloe Azadegan
- W.M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA; Cell Biology and Neuroscience Department, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Komal R Patel
- W.M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA; Cell Biology and Neuroscience Department, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Joshua K Thackray
- Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Manon Bohic
- W.M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA; Cell Biology and Neuroscience Department, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
- Brain Health Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Fumiyasu Imai
- Burke Neurological Institute, White Plains, New York City, New York, USA
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Simon O Ogundare
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Yutaka Yoshida
- Burke Neurological Institute, White Plains, New York City, New York, USA
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Ishmail Abdus-Saboor
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Eiman Azim
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Victoria E Abraira
- W.M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA; Cell Biology and Neuroscience Department, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
- Brain Health Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
- Lead contact
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Zhang D, Chen Y, Wei Y, Chen H, Wu Y, Wu L, Li J, Ren Q, Miao C, Zhu T, Liu J, Ke B, Zhou C. Spatial transcriptomics and single-nucleus RNA sequencing reveal a transcriptomic atlas of adult human spinal cord. eLife 2024; 12:RP92046. [PMID: 38289829 PMCID: PMC10945563 DOI: 10.7554/elife.92046] [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] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the recognized importance of the spinal cord in sensory processing, motor behaviors, and neural diseases, the underlying organization of neuronal clusters and their spatial location remain elusive. Recently, several studies have attempted to define the neuronal types and functional heterogeneity in the spinal cord using single-cell or single-nucleus RNA sequencing in animal models or developing humans. However, molecular evidence of cellular heterogeneity in the adult human spinal cord is limited. Here, we classified spinal cord neurons into 21 subclusters and determined their distribution from nine human donors using single-nucleus RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics. Moreover, we compared the human findings with previously published single-nucleus data of the adult mouse spinal cord, which revealed an overall similarity in the neuronal composition of the spinal cord between the two species while simultaneously highlighting some degree of heterogeneity. Additionally, we examined the sex differences in the spinal neuronal subclusters. Several genes, such as SCN10A and HCN1, showed sex differences in motor neurons. Finally, we classified human dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons using spatial transcriptomics and explored the putative interactions between DRG and spinal cord neuronal subclusters. In summary, these results illustrate the complexity and diversity of spinal neurons in humans and provide an important resource for future research to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying spinal cord physiology and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghang Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yali Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yiyong Wei
- Department of Anesthesiology, Longgang District Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital of Shenzhen City (Longgang Maternity and Child Institute of Shantou University Medical College)ShenhenChina
| | - Hongjun Chen
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
| | - Yujie Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Lin Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Jin Li
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
| | - Qiyang Ren
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
| | - Changhong Miao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Tao Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Jin Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Bowen Ke
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Cheng Zhou
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
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4
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Chen S, Chen J, Tang D, Yin W, Xu S, Gao P, Jiao Y, Yu W. Mechanical and chemical itch regulated by neuropeptide Y-Y 1 signaling. Mol Pain 2024; 20:17448069241242982. [PMID: 38485252 PMCID: PMC10981256 DOI: 10.1177/17448069241242982] [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: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Itch is a somatosensory sensation to remove potential harmful stimulation with a scratching desire, which could be divided into mechanical and chemical itch according to diverse stimuli, such as wool fiber and insect biting. It has been reported that neuropeptide Y (NPY) neurons, a population of spinal inhibitory interneurons, could gate the transmission of mechanical itch, with no effect on chemical itch. In our study, we verified that chemogenetic activation of NPY neurons could inhibit the mechanical itch as well as the chemical itch, which also attenuated the alloknesis phenomenon in the chronic dry skin model. Afterwards, intrathecal administration of NPY1R agonist, [Leu31, Pro34]-NPY (LP-NPY), showed the similar inhibition effect on mechanical itch, chemical itch and alloknesis as chemo-activation of NPY neurons. Whereas, intrathecal administration of NPY1R antagonist BIBO 3304 enhanced mechanical itch and reversed the alloknesis phenomenon inhibited by LP-NPY treatment. Moreover, selectively knocking down NPY1R by intrathecal injection of Npy1r siRNA enhanced mechanical and chemical itch behavior as well. These results indicate that NPY neurons in spinal cord regulate mechanical and chemical itch, and alloknesis in dry skin model through NPY1 receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sihan Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Junhui Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Dan Tang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen Yin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Saihong Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Po Gao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingfu Jiao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Weifeng Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
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Dai D, Zhao T, Li Z, Li W, Chen A, Tang Y, Gao XF, Xiong L. The plasticity of neuropeptide Y-Y1 receptor system on Tac2 neurons contributes to mechanical hyperknesis during chronic itch. Theranostics 2024; 14:363-378. [PMID: 38164144 PMCID: PMC10750199 DOI: 10.7150/thno.89433] [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: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Rationale: In the physiological states, the act of scratching protects the person from harmful substances, while in certain pathological conditions, the patient suffers from chronic itch, both physically and mentally. Chronic itch sufferers are more sensitive to mechanical stimuli, and mechanical hyperknesis relief is essential for chronic itch treatment. While neuropeptide Y-Y1 receptor (NPY-Y1R) system is known to play a crucial role in modulating mechanical itch in physiological conditions, it is elusive how they are altered during chronic itch. We hypothesize that the negative regulatory effect of Y1Rs on Tac2 neurons, the key neurons that transmit mechanical itch, declines during chronic itch. Methods: We combined transgenic mice, chemogenetic manipulation, immunofluorescence, rabies virus circuit tracing, and electrophysiology to investigate the plasticity of Y1Rs on Tac2 neurons during chronic itch. Results: We found that Tac2 neurons receive direct input from Npy neurons and that inhibition of Npy neurons induces activation of Tac2 neurons. Moreover, the expression of Y1Rs on Tac2 neurons is reduced, and the regulatory effect is also reduced during chronic itch. Conclusion: Our study clarifies the plasticity of Y1Rs on Tac2 neurons during chronic itch and further elucidates the mechanism by which NPY-Y1R system is responsible for modulating mechanical itch. We highlight Y1Rs as a promising therapeutic target for mechanical hyperknesis during chronic itch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danqing Dai
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Brain Functional Modulation, Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No.1481, Xinshi North Road, Shanghai 200434, China
| | - Tiantian Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Brain Functional Modulation, Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No.1481, Xinshi North Road, Shanghai 200434, China
| | - Zhen Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Brain Functional Modulation, Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No.1481, Xinshi North Road, Shanghai 200434, China
| | - Wanrong Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Brain Functional Modulation, Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No.1481, Xinshi North Road, Shanghai 200434, China
| | - Aiwen Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Brain Functional Modulation, Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No.1481, Xinshi North Road, Shanghai 200434, China
| | - Yali Tang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Brain Functional Modulation, Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No.1481, Xinshi North Road, Shanghai 200434, China
| | - Xiao-Fei Gao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Brain Functional Modulation, Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No.1481, Xinshi North Road, Shanghai 200434, China
| | - Lize Xiong
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Brain Functional Modulation, Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No.1481, Xinshi North Road, Shanghai 200434, China
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1279, Sanmen Road, Shanghai 200434, China
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Gao X, Yang Y, Zhu J, Zhang Y, Wang C, Wang Z, Mi W, Du L. Xanthotoxol relieves itch in mice via suppressing spinal GRP/GRPR signaling. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 960:176147. [PMID: 37871763 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176147] [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: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Although pruritus, commonly known as itch, is a common and debilitating symptom associated with various skin conditions, there is a lack of effective therapies available. Xanthotoxol (XAN), a biologically active linear furocoumarin, shows potential in the treatment of various neurological disorders. In this study, we discovered that administering XAN either through intraperitoneal or intrathecal injections effectively reduced scratching behavior induced by compound 48/80 or chloroquine. Importantly, XAN also substantially alleviates chronic itch in dry skin and allergic contact dermatitis mice. Substantial progress has highlighted the crucial role of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP)-gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) signaling in the dorsal spinal cord in transmitting various types of itch. Our behavior tests revealed that XAN significantly alleviated scratching behaviors induced by intrathecal administration of GRP or GRPR agonist bombesin. Furthermore, XAN reduced the activation of neurons in the spinal cord caused by intrathecal administration of GRP in mice. Moreover, XAN attenuates the activation of spinal GRPR-positive neurons in itchy mice. These findings suggest that XAN mitigates itch in mice by suppressing spinal GRP/GRPR signaling, thereby establishing XAN as a promising therapeutic option for treating pruritus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Gao
- School of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yayue Yang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jianyu Zhu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yuxin Zhang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Chenghao Wang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zhifei Wang
- School of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Wenli Mi
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Lixia Du
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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Yang YY, Du LX, Zhu JY, Yi T, Yang YC, Qiao Z, Maoying QL, Chu YX, Wang YQ, Mi WL. Antipruritic effects of geraniol on acute and chronic itch via modulating spinal GABA/GRPR signaling. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 119:154969. [PMID: 37516088 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.154969] [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: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Itch (pruritus) is a common unpleasant feeling, often accompanied by the urge of scratching the skin. It is the main symptom of many systemic and skin diseases, which can seriously affect the patient's quality of life. Geraniol (GE; trans-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1-ol) is a natural monoterpene with diverse effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-nociceptive, and anticancer properties. The study aims to examine the effects of GE on acute and chronic itch, and explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS Acute itch was investigated by using Chloroquine and compound 48/80 induced model, followed by manifestation of diphenylcyclopropenone (DCP)-induced allergic contact dermatitis and the acetone-ether-water (AEW)-induced dry skin model in mice. The scratching behavior, skin thickness, c-Fos expression, and GRPR protein expression in the spinal cord were subsequently monitored and evaluated by behavioral tests as well as pharmacological and pharmacogenetic technologies. RESULTS Dose-dependent intraperitoneal injection of GE alleviated the acute itch, induced by chloroquine and compound 48/80, as well as increased the spinal c-Fos expression. Intrathecal administration of GE suppressed the GABAA receptor inhibitor bicuculline-induced itch, GRP-induced itch, and the GABAergic neuron inhibition-induced itch. Furthermore, the subeffective dose of bicuculline blocked the anti-pruritic effect of GE on the chloroquine and compound 48/80 induced acute itch. GE also attenuated DCP and AEW-induced chronic itch, as well as the increase of spinal GRPR expression in DCP mice. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS GE alleviates both acute and chronic itch via modulating the spinal GABA/GRPR signaling in mice. Findings of this study reveal that GE may provide promising therapeutic options for itch management. Also, considering the pivotal role of essential oils in aromatherapy, GE has great application potential in aromatherapy for treating skin diseases, and especially the skin with severe pruritus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Yue Yang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science; Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Li-Xia Du
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jian-Yu Zhu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science; Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ting Yi
- Chinese Medicine Research Institute, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ya-Chen Yang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science; Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zheng Qiao
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science; Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Qi-Liang Maoying
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science; Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yu-Xia Chu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science; Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yan-Qing Wang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science; Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Wen-Li Mi
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science; Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
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8
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Li C, Ma QY, Liu XQ, Li HD, Yu MJ, Xie SS, Ma WX, Chen Y, Wang JN, He RB, Bian HG, He Y, Gao L, Deng SS, Zang HM, Gong Q, Wen JG, Liu MM, Yang C, Chen HY, Li J, Lan HY, Jin J, Yao RS, Meng XM. Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of GRPR protects against acute kidney injury via attenuating renal inflammation and necroptosis. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2734-2754. [PMID: 37415332 PMCID: PMC10492025 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) binds to its receptor (GRP receptor [GRPR]) to regulate multiple biological processes, but the function of GRP/GRPR axis in acute kidney injury (AKI) remains unknown. In the present study, GRPR is highly expressed by tubular epithelial cells (TECs) in patients or mice with AKI, while histone deacetylase 8 may lead to the transcriptional activation of GRPR. Functionally, we uncovered that GRPR was pathogenic in AKI, as genetic deletion of GRPR was able to protect mice from cisplatin- and ischemia-induced AKI. This was further confirmed by specifically deleting the GRPR gene from TECs in GRPRFlox/Flox//KspCre mice. Mechanistically, we uncovered that GRPR was able to interact with Toll-like receptor 4 to activate STAT1 that bound the promoter of MLKL and CCL2 to induce TEC necroptosis, necroinflammation, and macrophages recruitment. This was further confirmed by overexpressing STAT1 to restore renal injury in GRPRFlox/Flox/KspCre mice. Concurrently, STAT1 induced GRP synthesis to enforce the GRP/GRPR/STAT1 positive feedback loop. Importantly, targeting GRPR by lentivirus-packaged small hairpin RNA or by treatment with a novel GRPR antagonist RH-1402 was able to inhibit cisplatin-induced AKI. In conclusion, GRPR is pathogenic in AKI and mediates AKI via the STAT1-dependent mechanism. Thus, targeting GRPR may be a novel therapeutic strategy for AKI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Li
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Qiu-Ying Ma
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui Public Health Clinical Center, No. 100 Huaihai Road, Hefei 230012, China
| | - Xue-Qi Liu
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Hai-di Li
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Ming-Jun Yu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Shuai-Shuai Xie
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Wen-Xian Ma
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Ying Chen
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Jia-Nan Wang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Ruo-Bing He
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - He-Ge Bian
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immunopharmacology, Ministry of Education, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yuan He
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Li Gao
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Sheng-Song Deng
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Hong-Mei Zang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Qian Gong
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, Anhui, China
| | - Jia-Gen Wen
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Ming-Ming Liu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Chen Yang
- Institute of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, 57 Renmin Road, Zhanjiang 524001, China
| | - Hai-Yong Chen
- Department of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518009, China
| | - Jun Li
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Hui-Yao Lan
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, and Liu Che Woo Institute of Innovative Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Juan Jin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immunopharmacology, Ministry of Education, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
| | - Ri-Sheng Yao
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China.
| | - Xiao-Ming Meng
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
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9
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Deng H, Wu Y, Gao P, Kong D, Pan C, Xu S, Tang D, Jiao Y, Wen D, Yu W. Preoperative Pain Facilitates Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction via Periaqueductal Gray Matter-Dorsal Raphe Circuit. Neuroscience 2023; 524:209-219. [PMID: 36958595 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.03.019] [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: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a medically induced, rapidly occurring postoperative disease, which is hard to recover and seriously threatens the quality of life, especially for elderly patients, so it is important to identify the risk factors for POCD and apply early intervention to prevent POCD. As we have known, pain can impair cognition, and many surgery patients experience different preoperative pain, but it is still unknown whether these patients are vulnerable for POCD. Here we found that chronic pain (7 days, but not 1 day acute pain) induced by Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) injected in the hind paw of rats could easily induce spatial cognition and memory impairment after being exposed to sevoflurane anesthesia. Next, for the mechanisms, we focused on the Periaqueductal Gray Matter (PAG), a well-known pivotal nucleus in pain process. It was detected the existence of neural projection from ventrolateral PAG (vlPAG) to adjacent nucleus Dorsal Raphe (DR), the origin of serotonergic projection for the whole cerebrum, through virus tracing and patch clamp recordings. The Immunofluorescence staining and western blot results showed that Tryptophan Hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) for serotonin synthesis in the DR was increased significantly in the rats treated with CFA for 7 days and sevoflurane for 3 hours, while chemo-genetic inhibition of the vlPAG-DR projection induced obvious spatial learning and memory impairment. Our study suggests that preoperative chronic pain may facilitate cognitive function impairment after receiving anesthesia through the PAG-DR neural circuit, and preventative analgesia should be a considerable measure to reduce the incidence of POCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyue Deng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 200127, No. 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Yi Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 200127, No. 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Po Gao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 200127, No. 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Dexu Kong
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 200127, No. 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Chao Pan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 200127, No. 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Saihong Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 200127, No. 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Dan Tang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 200127, No. 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Yingfu Jiao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 200127, No. 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, China.
| | - Daxiang Wen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 200127, No. 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, China.
| | - Weifeng Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 200127, No. 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, China.
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10
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Boyle KA, Polgar E, Gutierrez-Mecinas M, Dickie AC, Cooper AH, Bell AM, Jumolea E, Casas-Benito A, Watanabe M, Hughes DI, Weir GA, Riddell JS, Todd AJ. Neuropeptide Y-expressing dorsal horn inhibitory interneurons gate spinal pain and itch signalling. eLife 2023; 12:RP86633. [PMID: 37490401 PMCID: PMC10392120 DOI: 10.7554/elife.86633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Somatosensory information is processed by a complex network of interneurons in the spinal dorsal horn. It has been reported that inhibitory interneurons that express neuropeptide Y (NPY), either permanently or during development, suppress mechanical itch, with no effect on pain. Here, we investigate the role of interneurons that continue to express NPY (NPY-INs) in the adult mouse spinal cord. We find that chemogenetic activation of NPY-INs reduces behaviours associated with acute pain and pruritogen-evoked itch, whereas silencing them causes exaggerated itch responses that depend on cells expressing the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor. As predicted by our previous studies, silencing of another population of inhibitory interneurons (those expressing dynorphin) also increases itch, but to a lesser extent. Importantly, NPY-IN activation also reduces behavioural signs of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. These results demonstrate that NPY-INs gate pain and itch transmission at the spinal level, and therefore represent a potential treatment target for pathological pain and itch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran A Boyle
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Erika Polgar
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Gutierrez-Mecinas
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Allen C Dickie
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew H Cooper
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew M Bell
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Evelline Jumolea
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian Casas-Benito
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Masahiko Watanabe
- Department of Anatomy, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - David I Hughes
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Gregory A Weir
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - John S Riddell
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J Todd
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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11
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Xie K, Cheng X, Zhu T, Zhang D. Single-cell transcriptomic profiling of dorsal root ganglion: an overview. Front Neuroanat 2023; 17:1162049. [PMID: 37405309 PMCID: PMC10315536 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2023.1162049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The somatosensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) are responsible to detect peripheral physical and noxious stimuli, and then transmit these inputs into the central nervous system. DRG neurons are composed of various subpopulations, which are suggested to respond to different stimuli, such as mechanical, thermal, and cold perception. For a long time, DRG neurons were classified based on anatomical criteria. Recently, single-cell (scRNA-seq) and single-nucleus RNA-sequencing (snRNA-seq) has advanced our understanding of the composition and functional heterogeneity of both human and rodent DRG neurons at single-cell resolution. In this review, we summarized the current literature regarding single-cell transcriptomic profiling of DRG to provide an integral understanding in the molecular transcriptomes, cell types, and functional annotations of DRG neurons in humans and rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keyu Xie
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Chengdu Second People’s Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Xu Cheng
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tao Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Donghang Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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12
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Ren X, Liu S, Virlogeux A, Kang SJ, Brusch J, Liu Y, Dymecki SM, Han S, Goulding M, Acton D. Identification of an essential spinoparabrachial pathway for mechanical itch. Neuron 2023; 111:1812-1829.e6. [PMID: 37023756 PMCID: PMC10446756 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
The sensation of itch is a protective response that is elicited by either mechanical or chemical stimuli. The neural pathways for itch transmission in the skin and spinal cord have been characterized previously, but the ascending pathways that transmit sensory information to the brain to evoke itch perception have not been identified. Here, we show that spinoparabrachial neurons co-expressing Calcrl and Lbx1 are essential for generating scratching responses to mechanical itch stimuli. Moreover, we find that mechanical and chemical itch are transmitted by separate ascending pathways to the parabrachial nucleus, where they engage separate populations of FoxP2PBN neurons to drive scratching behavior. In addition to revealing the architecture of the itch transmission circuitry required for protective scratching in healthy animals, we identify the cellular mechanisms underlying pathological itch by showing the ascending pathways for mechanical and chemical itch function cooperatively with the FoxP2PBN neurons to drive chronic itch and hyperknesis/alloknesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Ren
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Biology Graduate Program, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Shijia Liu
- Peptide Biology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Biology Graduate Program, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Amandine Virlogeux
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Sukjae J Kang
- Peptide Biology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Jeremy Brusch
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Yuanyuan Liu
- NIDCR, National Institute of Health, 35A Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Susan M Dymecki
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sung Han
- Peptide Biology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Martyn Goulding
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - David Acton
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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13
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Lu P, Zhao Y, Xie Z, Zhou H, Dong X, Wu GF, Kim BS, Feng J, Hu H. MrgprA3-expressing pruriceptors drive pruritogen-induced alloknesis through mechanosensitive Piezo2 channel. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112283. [PMID: 36961815 PMCID: PMC10514240 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112283] [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: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Although touch and itch are coded by distinct neuronal populations, light touch also provokes itch in the presence of exogenous pruritogens, resulting in a phenomenon called alloknesis. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the initiation of pruritogen-induced mechanical itch sensitization are poorly understood. Here, we show that intradermal injections of histamine or chloroquine (CQ) provoke alloknesis through activation of TRPV1- and MrgprA3-expressing prurioceptors, and functional ablation of these neurons reverses pruritogen-induced alloknesis. Moreover, genetic ablation of mechanosensitive Piezo2 channel function from MrgprA3-expressing prurioceptors also dampens pruritogen-induced alloknesis. Mechanistically, histamine and CQ sensitize Piezo2 channel function, at least in part, through activation of the phospholipase C (PLC) and protein kinase C-δ (PKCδ) signaling. Collectively, our data find a TRPV1+/MrgprA3+ prurioceptor-Piezo2 signaling axis in the initiation of pruritogen-induced mechanical itch sensitization in the skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Center for the Study of Itch & Sensory Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yonghui Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Center for the Study of Itch & Sensory Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Zili Xie
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Center for the Study of Itch & Sensory Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Huan Zhou
- Center for Neurological and Psychiatric Research and Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xinzhong Dong
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Gregory F Wu
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Brian S Kim
- Kimberly and Eric J. Waldman Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jing Feng
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Center for the Study of Itch & Sensory Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Neurological and Psychiatric Research and Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Hongzhen Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Center for the Study of Itch & Sensory Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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14
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Structures of human gastrin-releasing peptide receptors bound to antagonist and agonist for cancer and itch therapy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2216230120. [PMID: 36724251 PMCID: PMC9963752 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2216230120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrin releasing peptide receptor (GRPR), a member of the bombesin (BBN) G protein-coupled receptors, is aberrantly overexpressed in several malignant tumors, including those of the breast, prostate, pancreas, lung, and central nervous system. Additionally, it also mediates non-histaminergic itch and pathological itch conditions in mice. Thus, GRPR could be an attractive target for cancer and itch therapy. Here, we report the inactive state crystal structure of human GRPR in complex with the non-peptide antagonist PD176252, as well as two active state cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of GRPR bound to the endogenous peptide agonist gastrin-releasing peptide and the synthetic BBN analog [D-Phe6, β-Ala11, Phe13, Nle14] Bn (6-14), in complex with Gq heterotrimers. These structures revealed the molecular mechanisms for the ligand binding, receptor activation, and Gq proteins signaling of GRPR, which are expected to accelerate the structure-based design of GRPR antagonists and agonists for the treatments of cancer and pruritus.
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15
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Bataille-Savattier A, Le Gall-Ianotto C, Lebonvallet N, Misery L, Talagas M. Do Merkel complexes initiate mechanical itch? Exp Dermatol 2023; 32:226-234. [PMID: 36208286 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Itch is a common sensation which is amenable to disabling patients' life under pathological and chronic conditions. Shared assertion easily limits itch to chemical itch, without considering mechanical itch and alloknesis, its pathological counterpart. However, in recent years, our understanding of the mechanical itch pathway, particularly in the central nervous system, has been enhanced. In addition, Merkel complexes, conventionally considered as tactile end organs only responsible for light touch perception due to Piezo2 expressed by both Merkel cells and SA1 Aβ-fibres - low threshold mechanical receptors (LTMRs) -, have recently been identified as modulators of mechanical itch. However, the tactile end organs responsible for initiating mechanical itch remain unexplored. The consensus is that some LTMRs, either SA1 Aβ- or A∂- and C-, are cutaneous initiators of mechanical itch, even though they are not self-sufficient to finely detect and encode light mechanical stimuli into sensory perceptions, which depend on the entire hosting tactile end organ. Consequently, to enlighten our understanding of mechanical itch initiation, this article discusses the opportunity to consider Merkel complexes as potential tactile end organs responsible for initiating mechanical itch, under both healthy and pathological conditions. Their unsuspected modulatory abilities indeed show that they are tuned to detect and encode light mechanical stimuli leading to mechanical itch, especially as they host not only SA1 Aβ-LTMRs but also A∂- and C-fibres.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Laurent Misery
- University of Brest, LIEN, Brest, France.,CHU Brest, Department of Dermatology, Brest, France
| | - Matthieu Talagas
- University of Brest, LIEN, Brest, France.,CHU Brest, Department of Dermatology, Brest, France
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16
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Liu JJ, Li X, Guo J, Yu S, Yang S. Role of GRPR in Acupuncture Intervention in the "Itch-scratch Vicious Cycle" Spinal Circuit of Chronic Pruritus. Chin Med 2023; 18:2. [PMID: 36597164 PMCID: PMC9809006 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-022-00706-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Many previous studies have shown the potential antipruritic effect of acupuncture. This paper reviews the antipruritic mechanisms of acupuncture according to these aspects: sample characteristics, detail of intervention, and effects evaluation. The majority of research on acupuncture's antipruritic effect has focused on primary afferents of the peripheral mechanism. Relatively few studies, however, have addressed the central mechanisms. Combination the latest research achievements of chronic itch, gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord may represent the first molecule identified that is dedicated to mediating the itch response and may provide an important therapeutic target for the treatment of chronic pruritic conditions. Therefore, GRPR may be a new target for acupuncture to relieve itch in the future and provide new ideas for acupuncture intervention in the mechanisms of the spinal level of the "itch-scratch vicious cycle" of chronic itch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-jia Liu
- grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XAcupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan China
| | - Xuemei Li
- grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XAcupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan China
| | - Jing Guo
- grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XAcupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan China
| | - Shuguang Yu
- grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XAcupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan China ,Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province for Acupuncture and Chronobiology, Chengdu, Sichuan China
| | - Sha Yang
- grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XAcupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan China ,grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XAcupuncture and Brain Science Research Center, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan China
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17
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Kim SH, Dong K, Zhao H, El-Zoka AA, Zhou X, Woods EV, Giuliani F, Manke I, Raabe D, Gault B. Understanding the Degradation of a Model Si Anode in a Li-Ion Battery at the Atomic Scale. J Phys Chem Lett 2022; 13:8416-8421. [PMID: 36049043 PMCID: PMC9486947 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c02236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
To advance the understanding of the degradation of the liquid electrolyte and Si electrode, and their interface, we exploit the latest developments in cryo-atom probe tomography. We evidence Si anode corrosion from the decomposition of the Li salt before charge-discharge cycles even begin. Volume shrinkage during delithiation leads to the development of nanograins from recrystallization in regions left amorphous by the lithiation. The newly created grain boundaries facilitate pulverization of nanoscale Si fragments, and one is found floating in the electrolyte. P is segregated to these grain boundaries, which confirms the decomposition of the electrolyte. As structural defects are bound to assist the nucleation of Li-rich phases in subsequent lithiations and accelerate the electrolyte's decomposition, these insights into the developed nanoscale microstructure interacting with the electrolyte contribute to understanding the self-catalyzed/accelerated degradation Si anodes and can inform new battery designs unaffected by these life-limiting factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se-Ho Kim
- Max-Planck
Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH, Max-Planck-Straße 1, Düsseldorf 40237, Germany
| | - Kang Dong
- Institute
of Applied Materials, Helmholtz-Zentrum
Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Berlin 14109, Germany
| | - Huan Zhao
- Max-Planck
Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH, Max-Planck-Straße 1, Düsseldorf 40237, Germany
| | - Ayman A. El-Zoka
- Max-Planck
Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH, Max-Planck-Straße 1, Düsseldorf 40237, Germany
| | - Xuyang Zhou
- Max-Planck
Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH, Max-Planck-Straße 1, Düsseldorf 40237, Germany
| | - Eric V. Woods
- Max-Planck
Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH, Max-Planck-Straße 1, Düsseldorf 40237, Germany
| | - Finn Giuliani
- Department
of Materials, Royal School of Mines, Imperial
College, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Ingo Manke
- Institute
of Applied Materials, Helmholtz-Zentrum
Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Berlin 14109, Germany
| | - Dierk Raabe
- Max-Planck
Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH, Max-Planck-Straße 1, Düsseldorf 40237, Germany
| | - Baptiste Gault
- Max-Planck
Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH, Max-Planck-Straße 1, Düsseldorf 40237, Germany
- Department
of Materials, Royal School of Mines, Imperial
College, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
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18
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Characteristics of Zusanli Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons in Rats and Their Receptor Mechanisms in Response to Adenosine. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2022; 23:1564-1580. [PMID: 35472520 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2022.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Neural systems play important roles in the functions of acupuncture. But the unclear structure and mechanism of acupoints hinder acupuncture standardization and cause the acupuncture effects to be varying or even paradoxical. It has been broadly assumed that the efficacy of acupuncture depends on the biological signals triggered at acupoints and passed up along neural systems. However, as the first station to transmit such signals, the characters of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons innervating acupoints are still not well elucidated. We adopted Zusanli (ST36) as a representative acupoint and found most DRG neurons innervating ST36 acupoint are middle-size neurons with a single spike firing pattern. This suggests that proprioceptive neurons take on greater possibility than small size nociceptive neurons do to mediate the acupuncture signals. Moreover, we found that adenosine injected into ST36 acupoints could dose- and acupoint-dependently mimic the analgesic effect of acupuncture. However, adenosine could not elicit action potentials in the acutely isolated ST36 DRG neurons, but it inhibited ID currents and increased the areas of overshoots. Further, we found that 4 types of adenosine receptors were all expressed by ST36 DRG neurons, and A1, A2b, and A3 receptors were the principal reactors to adenosine. PERSPECTIVE: This study provides the major characteristics of ST36 DRG neurons, which will help to analyze the neural pathway of acupuncture signals. At the same time, these findings could provide a new possible therapy for pain relief, such as injecting adenosine or corresponding agonists into acupoints.
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19
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Jiang S, Wang YS, Zheng XX, Zhao SL, Wang Y, Sun L, Chen PH, Zhou Y, Tin C, Li HL, Sui JF, Wu GY. Itch-specific neurons in the ventrolateral orbital cortex selectively modulate the itch processing. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn4408. [PMID: 35905177 PMCID: PMC9337765 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn4408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Itch is a cutaneous sensation that is critical in driving scratching behavior. The long-standing question of whether there are specific neurons for itch modulation inside the brain remains unanswered. Here, we report a subpopulation of itch-specific neurons in the ventrolateral orbital cortex (VLO) that is distinct from the pain-related neurons. Using a Tet-Off cellular labeling system, we showed that local inhibition or activation of these itch-specific neurons in the VLO significantly suppressed or enhanced itch-induced scratching, respectively, whereas the intervention did not significantly affect pain. Conversely, suppression or activation of pain-specific neurons in the VLO significantly affected pain but not itch. Moreover, fiber photometry and immunofluorescence verified that these itch- and pain-specific neurons are distinct in their functional activity and histological location. In addition, the downstream targets of itch- and pain-specific neurons were different. Together, the present study uncovers an important subpopulation of neurons in the VLO that specifically modulates itch processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Jiang
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yi-Song Wang
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Xiao-Xia Zheng
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Shan-Lan Zhao
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Lin Sun
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Peng-Hui Chen
- Department of Neurobiology, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yi Zhou
- Department of Neurobiology, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Chung Tin
- Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hong-Li Li
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Jian-Feng Sui
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
- Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Guang-Yan Wu
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
- Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
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20
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Liu B, Qiao L, Liu K, Liu J, Piccinni-Ash TJ, Chen ZF. Molecular and neural basis of pleasant touch sensation. Science 2022; 376:483-491. [PMID: 35482870 DOI: 10.1126/science.abn2479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Pleasant touch provides emotional and psychological support that helps mitigate social isolation and stress. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Using a pleasant touch-conditioned place preference (PT-CPP) test, we show that genetic ablation of spinal excitatory interneurons expressing prokineticin receptor 2 (PROKR2), or its ligand PROK2 in sensory neurons, abolishes PT-CPP without impairing pain and itch behaviors in mice. Mutant mice display profound impairments in stress response and prosocial behaviors. Moreover, PROKR2 neurons respond most vigorously to gentle stroking and encode reward value. Collectively, we identify PROK2 as a long-sought neuropeptide that encodes and transmits pleasant touch to spinal PROKR2 neurons. These findings may have important implications for elucidating mechanisms by which pleasant touch deprivation contributes to social avoidance behavior and mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benlong Liu
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Lina Qiao
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kun Liu
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Juan Liu
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Tyler J Piccinni-Ash
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Zhou-Feng Chen
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.,Departments of Medicine, Psychiatry, and Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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21
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Bardoni R. Experimental Protocols and Analytical Procedures for Studying Synaptic Transmission in Rodent Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn. Curr Protoc 2022; 2:e409. [PMID: 35435326 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Synaptic modulation and plasticity are key mechanisms underlying pain transmission in the spinal cord and supra-spinal centers. The study and understanding of these phenomena are fundamental to investigating both acute nociception and maladaptive changes occurring in chronic pain. This article describes experimental protocols and analytical methods utilized in electrophysiological studies to investigate synaptic modulation and plasticity at the first station of somatosensory processing, the spinal cord dorsal horn. Protocols useful for characterizing the nature of synaptic inputs, the site of modulation (pre- versus postsynaptic), and the presence of short-term synaptic plasticity are presented. These methods can be employed to study the physiology of acute nociception, the pathological mechanisms of persistent inflammatory and neuropathic pain, and the pharmacology of receptors and channels involved in pain transmission. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Spinal cord dissection and acute slice preparation Basic Protocol 2: Stimulation of the dorsal root and extracellular recording (compound action potentials and field potentials) Basic Protocol 3: Patch-clamp recording from dorsal horn neurons: action potential firing patterns and evoked synaptic inputs Basic Protocol 4: Analysis of parameters responsible for changes in synaptic efficacy Basic Protocol 5: Recording and analysis of currents mediated by astrocytic glutamate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Bardoni
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi, Modena, Italy
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22
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Tang Y, Cheng S, Wang J, Jin Y, Yang H, Lin Q, Xu S, Hui L, Yin Q, Yang Y, Wu X. Acupuncture for the Treatment of Itch: Peripheral and Central Mechanisms. Front Neurosci 2022; 15:786892. [PMID: 35431769 PMCID: PMC9005788 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.786892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the widespread clinical use of acupuncture in the treatment of pruritus caused by psoriasis, urticaria, uremic, and other diseases, insights into the mechanism of action of acupuncture are still emerging. For the above reasons, a beneficial effect of acupuncture on pruritus was not recommended or reported in recent clinical practice guidelines. Acupuncture is a kind of physical stimulation, which has the characteristics of multi-channel and multi-target effects. The biomechanical stimulation signal of acupuncture needling can be transformed into bioelectric and chemical signals; interfere with kinds of cells and nerve fibers in the skin and muscle; alter signaling pathways and transcriptional activity of cells, mediators, and receptors; and result in inhibition of peripheral and central transmission of pruritus. Available mechanistic data give insights into the biological regulation potency of acupuncture for pruritus and provide a basis for more in-depth and comprehensive mechanism research.
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23
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Meng QT, Liu XY, Liu XT, Liu J, Munanairi A, Barry DM, Liu B, Jin H, Sun Y, Yang Q, Gao F, Wan L, Peng J, Jin JH, Shen KF, Kim R, Yin J, Tao A, Chen ZF. BNP facilitates NMB-encoded histaminergic itch via NPRC-NMBR crosstalk. eLife 2021; 10:71689. [PMID: 34919054 PMCID: PMC8789279 DOI: 10.7554/elife.71689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Histamine-dependent and -independent itch is conveyed by parallel peripheral neural pathways that express gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and neuromedin B (NMB), respectively, to the spinal cord of mice. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) has been proposed to transmit both types of itch via its receptor NPRA encoded by Npr1. However, BNP also binds to its cognate receptor, NPRC encoded by Npr3 with equal potency. Moreover, natriuretic peptides (NP) signal through the Gi-couped inhibitory cGMP pathway that is supposed to inhibit neuronal activity, raising the question of how BNP may transmit itch information. Here, we report that Npr3 expression in laminae I-II of the dorsal horn partially overlaps with NMB receptor (NMBR) that transmits histaminergic itch via Gq-couped PLCβ-Ca2+ signaling pathway. Functional studies indicate that NPRC is required for itch evoked by histamine but not chloroquine (CQ), a nonhistaminergic pruritogen. Importantly, BNP significantly facilitates scratching behaviors mediated by NMB, but not GRP. Consistently, BNP evoked Ca2+ responses in NMBR/NPRC HEK 293 cells and NMBR/NPRC dorsal horn neurons. These results reveal a previously unknown mechanism by which BNP facilitates NMB-encoded itch through a novel NPRC-NMBR cross-signaling in mice. Our studies uncover distinct modes of action for neuropeptides in transmission and modulation of itch in mice. An itch is a common sensation that makes us want to scratch. Most short-term itches are caused by histamine, a chemical that is released by immune cells following an infection or in response to an allergic reaction. Chronic itching, on the other hand, is not usually triggered by histamine, and is typically the result of neurological or skin disorders, such as atopic dermatitis. The sensation of itching is generated by signals that travel from the skin to nerve cells in the spinal cord. Studies in mice have shown that the neuropeptides responsible for delivering these signals differ depending on whether or not the itch involves histamine: GRPs (short for gastrin-releasing proteins) convey histamine-independent itches, while NMBs (short for neuromedin B) convey histamine-dependent itches. It has been proposed that another neuropeptide called BNP (short for B-type natriuretic peptide) is able to transmit both types of itch signals to the spinal cord. But it remains unclear how this signaling molecule is able to do this. To investigate, Meng, Liu, Liu, Liu et al. carried out a combination of behavioral, molecular and pharmacological experiments in mice and nerve cells cultured in a laboratory. The experiments showed that BNP alone cannot transmit the sensation of itching, but it can boost itching signals that are triggered by histamine. It is widely believed that BNP activates a receptor protein called NPRA. However, Meng et al. found that the BNP actually binds to another protein which alters the function of the receptor activated by NMBs. These findings suggest that BNP modulates rather than initiates histamine-dependent itching by enhancing the interaction between NMBs and their receptor. Understanding how itch signals travel from the skin to neurons in the spinal cord is crucial for designing new treatments for chronic itching. The work by Meng et al. suggests that treatments targeting NPRA, which was thought to be a key itch receptor, may not be effective against chronic itching, and that other drug targets need to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Tao Meng
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, United States
| | - Xian-Yu Liu
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, United States
| | - Xue-Ting Liu
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, United States
| | - Juan Liu
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, United States
| | - Admire Munanairi
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, United States
| | - Devin M Barry
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, United States
| | - Benlong Liu
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, United States
| | - Hua Jin
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, United States
| | - Yu Sun
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, United States
| | - Qianyi Yang
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, United States
| | - Fang Gao
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, United States
| | - Li Wan
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, United States
| | - Jiahang Peng
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, United States
| | - Jin-Hua Jin
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, United States
| | - Kai-Feng Shen
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, United States
| | - Ray Kim
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, United States
| | - Jun Yin
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, United States
| | - Ailin Tao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhou-Feng Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, United States
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24
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Abstract
Itch is one of the most primal sensations, being both ubiquitous and important for the well-being of animals. For more than a century, a desire to understand how itch is encoded by the nervous system has prompted the advancement of many theories. Within the past 15 years, our understanding of the molecular and neural mechanisms of itch has undergone a major transformation, and this remarkable progress continues today without any sign of abating. Here I describe accumulating evidence that indicates that itch is distinguished from pain through the actions of itch-specific neuropeptides that relay itch information to the spinal cord. According to this model, classical neurotransmitters transmit, inhibit and modulate itch information in a context-, space- and time-dependent manner but do not encode itch specificity. Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) is proposed to be a key itch-specific neuropeptide, with spinal neurons expressing GRP receptor (GRPR) functioning as a key part of a convergent circuit for the conveyance of peripheral itch information to the brain.
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25
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Li Y, Zhang W, Sun T, Liu B, Manyande A, Xu W, Xiang HB. The Role of Gut Microbiota in Chronic Itch-Evoked Novel Object Recognition-Related Cognitive Dysfunction in Mice. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:616489. [PMID: 33614682 PMCID: PMC7892771 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.616489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The high incidence of patients with chronic itch highlights the importance of fundamental research. Recent advances in the interface of gut microbiota have shed new light into exploring this phenomenon. However, it is unknown whether gut microbiota plays a role in chronic itch in rodents with or without cognitive dysfunction. In this study, the role of gut microbiota in diphenylcyclopropenone (DCP)-evoked chronic itch was investigated in mice and hierarchical cluster analysis of novel object recognition test (ORT) results were used to classify DCP-evoked itch model in mice with or without cognitive dysfunction (CD)-like phenotype and 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing was used to compare gut bacterial composition between CD (Susceptible) and Non-CD phenotypes (Unsusceptible) in chronic itch mice. Results showed that the microbiota composition was significantly altered by DCP-evoked chronic itch and chronic itch induced novel object recognition-related CD. However, abnormal gut microbiota composition induced by chronic itch may not be correlated with novel object recognition-related CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujuan Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wencui Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Tainning Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Baowen Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Anne Manyande
- School of Human and Social Sciences, University of West London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Weiguo Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hong-Bing Xiang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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