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McCoy ES, Park SK, Patel RP, Ryan DF, Mullen ZJ, Nesbitt JJ, Lopez JE, Taylor-Blake B, Vanden KA, Krantz JL, Hu W, Garris RL, Snyder MG, Lima LV, Sotocinal SG, Austin JS, Kashlan AD, Shah S, Trocinski AK, Pudipeddi SS, Major RM, Bazick HO, Klein MR, Mogil JS, Wu G, Zylka MJ. Development of PainFace software to simplify, standardize, and scale up mouse grimace analyses. Pain 2024; 165:1793-1805. [PMID: 39024163 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003187] [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: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Facial grimacing is used to quantify spontaneous pain in mice and other mammals, but scoring relies on humans with different levels of proficiency. Here, we developed a cloud-based software platform called PainFace ( http://painface.net ) that uses machine learning to detect 4 facial action units of the mouse grimace scale (orbitals, nose, ears, whiskers) and score facial grimaces of black-coated C57BL/6 male and female mice on a 0 to 8 scale. Platform accuracy was validated in 2 different laboratories, with 3 conditions that evoke grimacing-laparotomy surgery, bilateral hindpaw injection of carrageenan, and intraplantar injection of formalin. PainFace can generate up to 1 grimace score per second from a standard 30 frames/s video, making it possible to quantify facial grimacing over time, and operates at a speed that scales with computing power. By analyzing the frequency distribution of grimace scores, we found that mice spent 7x more time in a "high grimace" state following laparotomy surgery relative to sham surgery controls. Our study shows that PainFace reproducibly quantifies facial grimaces indicative of nonevoked spontaneous pain and enables laboratories to standardize and scale-up facial grimace analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric S McCoy
- UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Departments of Cell Biology & Physiology and
| | - Sang Kyoon Park
- Psychiatry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Rahul P Patel
- UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Dan F Ryan
- UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Departments of Cell Biology & Physiology and
| | | | | | - Josh E Lopez
- UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Bonnie Taylor-Blake
- UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Departments of Cell Biology & Physiology and
| | - Kelly A Vanden
- UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - James L Krantz
- UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Departments of Cell Biology & Physiology and
| | - Wenxin Hu
- UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Departments of Cell Biology & Physiology and
| | - Rosanna L Garris
- UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Departments of Cell Biology & Physiology and
| | - Magdalyn G Snyder
- UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Lucas V Lima
- Departments of Psychology and Anesthesia, Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Susana G Sotocinal
- Departments of Psychology and Anesthesia, Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-Sebastien Austin
- Departments of Psychology and Anesthesia, Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Adam D Kashlan
- UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Sanya Shah
- UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Abigail K Trocinski
- UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Samhitha S Pudipeddi
- UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Rami M Major
- UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Hannah O Bazick
- UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Morgan R Klein
- UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Jeffrey S Mogil
- Departments of Psychology and Anesthesia, Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Guorong Wu
- Psychiatry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Computer Science, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Mark J Zylka
- UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Departments of Cell Biology & Physiology and
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2
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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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Pattison LA, Cloake A, Chakrabarti S, Hilton H, Rickman RH, Higham JP, Meng MY, Paine LW, Dannawi M, Qiu L, Ritoux A, Bulmer DC, Callejo G, Smith ESJ. Digging deeper into pain: an ethological behavior assay correlating well-being in mice with human pain experience. Pain 2024; 165:1761-1773. [PMID: 38452214 PMCID: PMC11247454 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003190] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The pressing need for safer, more efficacious analgesics is felt worldwide. Preclinical tests in animal models of painful conditions represent one of the earliest checkpoints novel therapeutics must negotiate before consideration for human use. Traditionally, the pain status of laboratory animals has been inferred from evoked nociceptive assays that measure their responses to noxious stimuli. The disconnect between how pain is tested in laboratory animals and how it is experienced by humans may in part explain the shortcomings of current pain medications and highlights a need for refinement. Here, we survey human patients with chronic pain who assert that everyday aspects of life, such as cleaning and leaving the house, are affected by their ongoing level of pain. Accordingly, we test the impact of painful conditions on an ethological behavior of mice, digging. Stable digging behavior was observed over time in naive mice of both sexes. By contrast, deficits in digging were seen after acute knee inflammation. The analgesia conferred by meloxicam and gabapentin was compared in the monosodium iodoacetate knee osteoarthritis model, with meloxicam more effectively ameliorating digging deficits, in line with human patients finding meloxicam more effective. Finally, in a visceral pain model, the decrease in digging behavior correlated with the extent of disease. Ultimately, we make a case for adopting ethological assays, such as digging, in studies of pain in laboratory animals, which we believe to be more representative of the human experience of pain and thus valuable in assessing clinical potential of novel analgesics in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke A. Pattison
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Dr. Chakrabarti is now with Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany. Dr. Callejo is now with Department of Biomedicine, Medical School, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alexander Cloake
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Dr. Chakrabarti is now with Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany. Dr. Callejo is now with Department of Biomedicine, Medical School, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sampurna Chakrabarti
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Dr. Chakrabarti is now with Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany. Dr. Callejo is now with Department of Biomedicine, Medical School, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Helen Hilton
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Dr. Chakrabarti is now with Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany. Dr. Callejo is now with Department of Biomedicine, Medical School, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rebecca H. Rickman
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Dr. Chakrabarti is now with Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany. Dr. Callejo is now with Department of Biomedicine, Medical School, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - James P. Higham
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Dr. Chakrabarti is now with Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany. Dr. Callejo is now with Department of Biomedicine, Medical School, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Michelle Y. Meng
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Dr. Chakrabarti is now with Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany. Dr. Callejo is now with Department of Biomedicine, Medical School, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luke W. Paine
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Dr. Chakrabarti is now with Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany. Dr. Callejo is now with Department of Biomedicine, Medical School, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maya Dannawi
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Dr. Chakrabarti is now with Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany. Dr. Callejo is now with Department of Biomedicine, Medical School, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lanhui Qiu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Dr. Chakrabarti is now with Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany. Dr. Callejo is now with Department of Biomedicine, Medical School, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anne Ritoux
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Dr. Chakrabarti is now with Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany. Dr. Callejo is now with Department of Biomedicine, Medical School, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David C. Bulmer
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Dr. Chakrabarti is now with Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany. Dr. Callejo is now with Department of Biomedicine, Medical School, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gerard Callejo
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Dr. Chakrabarti is now with Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany. Dr. Callejo is now with Department of Biomedicine, Medical School, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ewan St. John Smith
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Dr. Chakrabarti is now with Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany. Dr. Callejo is now with Department of Biomedicine, Medical School, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Huerta MÁ, Cisneros E, Alique M, Roza C. Strategies for measuring non-evoked pain in preclinical models of neuropathic pain: Systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 163:105761. [PMID: 38852847 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105761] [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: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
The development of new analgesics for neuropathic pain treatment is crucial. The failure of promising drugs in clinical trials may be related to the over-reliance on reflex-based responses (evoked pain) in preclinical drug testing, which may not fully represent clinical neuropathic pain, characterized by spontaneous non-evoked pain (NEP). Hence, strategies for assessing NEP in preclinical studies emerged. This systematic review identified 443 articles evaluating NEP in neuropathic pain models (mainly traumatic nerve injuries in male rodents). An exponential growth in NEP evaluation was observed, which was assessed using 48 different tests classified in 12 NEP-related outcomes: anxiety, exploration/locomotion, paw lifting, depression, conditioned place preference, gait, autotomy, wellbeing, facial grooming, cognitive impairment, facial pain expressions and vocalizations. Although most of these outcomes showed clear limitations, our analysis suggests that conditioning-associated outcomes, pain-related comorbidities, and gait evaluation may be the most effective strategies. Moreover, a minimal part of the studies evaluated standard analgesics. The greater emphasis on evaluating NEP aligning with clinical pain symptoms may enhance analgesic drug development, improving clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Á Huerta
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada 18016, Spain; Institute of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Center, University of Granada, 18100 Armilla, Granada, Spain; Biosanitary Research Institute ibs.GRANADA, Granada 18012, Spain
| | - Elsa Cisneros
- Health Sciences School, Centro Universitario Internacional de Madrid (CUNIMAD), Madrid, Spain; Health Sciences School, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR), Logroño, Spain
| | - Matilde Alique
- Department of System's Biology, Medical School, University of Alcala de Henares, Alcalá de Henares, Spain; Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid 28034, Spain
| | - Carolina Roza
- Department of System's Biology, Medical School, University of Alcala de Henares, Alcalá de Henares, Spain.
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5
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Zumbusch AS, McEachern ELF, Morgan OB, Nickner E, Mogil JS. Normative Preclinical Algesiometry Data on the von Frey and Radiant Heat Paw-Withdrawal Tests: An Analysis of Data from More Than 8,000 Mice Over 20 Years. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2024; 25:104468. [PMID: 38219851 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.01.333] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
The measurement of withdrawal to experimenter-delivered mechanical stimuli (von Frey test) and to heat stimuli (radiant heat paw-withdrawal or Hargreaves' test) applied to the hind paws is ubiquitous in preclinical pain research, but no normative values for the most-common applications of these tests have ever been published. We analyzed a retrospective data set of withdrawal thresholds or latencies in 8,150 mice in which these measures were taken using replicate determinations, before and after injection of inflammatory substances or experimental nerve damage producing pain hypersensitivity, totaling 97,332 measurements. All mice were tested in the same physical laboratory over a 20-year period using similar equipment and procedures. We nonetheless find evidence of large interindividual variability, affected by tester, genotype, mouse sex, tester sex, replicate order, and injury. These factors are discussed, and we believe that these normative data will serve as a useful reference for expected values in preclinical pain testing. PERSPECTIVE: This article presents a retrospective analysis of a large data set of mouse von Frey and radiant heat paw-withdrawal (Hargreaves' test) measurements collected in a single laboratory over 20 years. In addition to serving as a normative guide, sources of variability are identified including genotype, tester, and sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia S Zumbusch
- Departments of Psychology and Anesthesia, Faculties of Science, Medicine, and Dentistry, Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Eleri L F McEachern
- Departments of Psychology and Anesthesia, Faculties of Science, Medicine, and Dentistry, Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Oakley B Morgan
- Departments of Psychology and Anesthesia, Faculties of Science, Medicine, and Dentistry, Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Elodie Nickner
- Departments of Psychology and Anesthesia, Faculties of Science, Medicine, and Dentistry, Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jeffrey S Mogil
- Departments of Psychology and Anesthesia, Faculties of Science, Medicine, and Dentistry, Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Rodríguez García DM, Szabo A, Mikesell AR, Zorn SJ, Tsafack UK, Sriram A, Waltz TB, Enders JD, Mecca CM, Stucky CL, Sadler KE. High-speed imaging of evoked rodent mechanical behaviors yields variable results that are not predictive of inflammatory injury. Pain 2024; 165:1569-1582. [PMID: 38314814 PMCID: PMC11189758 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003174] [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: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Few analgesics identified using preclinical models have successfully translated to clinical use. These translational limitations may be due to the unidimensional nature of behavioral response measures used to assess rodent nociception. Advances in high-speed videography for pain behavior allow for objective quantification of nuanced aspects of evoked paw withdrawal responses. However, whether videography-based assessments of mechanical hypersensitivity outperform traditional measurement reproducibility is unknown. First, we determined whether high-speed videography of paw withdrawal was reproducible across experimenters. Second, we examined whether this method distinguishes behavioral responses exhibited by naive mice and mice with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammation. Twelve experimenters stimulated naive C57BL/6 mice with varying mechanical stimuli. Paw withdrawal responses were recorded with high-speed videography and scored offline by one individual. Our group was unable to replicate the original findings produced by high-speed videography analysis. Surprisingly, ∼80% of variation was not accounted for by variables previously reported to distinguish between responses to innocuous and noxious stimuli (paw height, paw velocity, and pain score), or by additional variables (experimenter, time-of-day, and animal), but rather by unidentified factors. Similar high-speed videography assessments were performed in CFA- and vehicle-treated animals, and the cumulative data failed to reveal an effect of CFA injection on withdrawal as measured by high-speed videography. This study does not support using paw height, velocity, or pain score measurements from high-speed recordings to delineate behavioral responses to innocuous and noxious stimuli. Our group encourages the continued use of traditional mechanical withdrawal assessments until additional high-speed withdrawal measures are validated in established pain models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianise M Rodríguez García
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Aniko Szabo
- Division of Biostatistics, Institute of Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Alexander R Mikesell
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Samuel J Zorn
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Ulrich Kemmo Tsafack
- Division of Biostatistics, Institute of Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Anvitha Sriram
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Tyler B Waltz
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Jonathan D Enders
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Christina M Mecca
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Cheryl L Stucky
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Katelyn E Sadler
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Advanced Pain Studies, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
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7
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Tam TH, Zhang W, Tu Y, Hicks JL, Farcas S, Kim D, Salter MW. Pain hypersensitivity is dependent on autophagy protein Beclin 1 in males but not females. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114293. [PMID: 38814784 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114293] [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: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain is associated with alterations in fundamental cellular processes. Here, we investigate whether Beclin 1, a protein essential for initiating the cellular process of autophagy, is involved in pain processing and is targetable for pain relief. We find that monoallelic deletion of Becn1 increases inflammation-induced mechanical hypersensitivity in male mice. However, in females, loss of Becn1 does not affect inflammation-induced mechanical hypersensitivity. In males, intrathecal delivery of a Beclin 1 activator, tat-beclin 1, reverses inflammation- and nerve injury-induced mechanical hypersensitivity and prevents mechanical hypersensitivity induced by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a mediator of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Pain signaling pathways converge on the enhancement of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) in spinal dorsal horn neurons. The loss of Becn1 upregulates synaptic NMDAR-mediated currents in dorsal horn neurons from males but not females. We conclude that inhibition of Beclin 1 in the dorsal horn is critical in mediating inflammatory and neuropathic pain signaling pathways in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa H Tam
- Neurosciences & Mental Health Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Wenbo Zhang
- Neurosciences & Mental Health Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - YuShan Tu
- Neurosciences & Mental Health Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Janice L Hicks
- Neurosciences & Mental Health Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Sophia Farcas
- Neurosciences & Mental Health Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Doyeon Kim
- Neurosciences & Mental Health Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Michael W Salter
- Neurosciences & Mental Health Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.
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Pușcașu C, Negreș S, Zbârcea CE, Ungurianu A, Ștefănescu E, Blebea NM, Chiriță C. Evaluating the Antihyperalgesic Potential of Sildenafil-Metformin Combination and Its Impact on Biochemical Markers in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Neuropathy in Rats. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:783. [PMID: 38931450 PMCID: PMC11206800 DOI: 10.3390/ph17060783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Globally, about 600 million people are afflicted with diabetes, and one of its most prevalent complications is neuropathy, a debilitating condition. At the present time, the exploration of novel therapies for alleviating diabetic-neuropathy-associated pain is genuinely captivating, considering that current therapeutic options are characterized by poor efficacy and significant risk of side effects. In the current research, we evaluated the antihyperalgesic effect the sildenafil (phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor)-metformin (antihyperglycemic agent) combination and its impact on biochemical markers in alloxan-induced diabetic neuropathy in rats. (2) Methods: This study involved a cohort of 70 diabetic rats and 10 non-diabetic rats. Diabetic neuropathy was induced by a single dose of 130 mg/kg alloxan. The rats were submitted to thermal stimulus test using a hot-cold plate and to tactile stimulus test using von Frey filaments. Moreover, at the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed and their brains and livers were collected to investigate the impact of this combination on TNF-α, IL-6, nitrites and thiols levels. (3) Results: The results demonstrated that all sildenafil-metformin combinations decreased the pain sensitivity in the von Frey test, hot plate test and cold plate test. Furthermore, alterations in nitrites and thiols concentrations and pro-inflammatory cytokines (specifically TNF-α and IL-6) were noted following a 15-day regimen of various sildenafil-metformin combinations. (4) Conclusions: The combination of sildenafil and metformin has a synergistic effect on alleviating pain in alloxan-induced diabetic neuropathy rats. Additionally, the combination effectively decreased inflammation, inhibited the rise in NOS activity, and provided protection against glutathione depletion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciprian Pușcașu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Traian Vuia 6, 020956 Bucharest, Romania; (C.P.); (S.N.); (A.U.); (E.Ș.); (C.C.)
| | - Simona Negreș
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Traian Vuia 6, 020956 Bucharest, Romania; (C.P.); (S.N.); (A.U.); (E.Ș.); (C.C.)
| | - Cristina Elena Zbârcea
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Traian Vuia 6, 020956 Bucharest, Romania; (C.P.); (S.N.); (A.U.); (E.Ș.); (C.C.)
| | - Anca Ungurianu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Traian Vuia 6, 020956 Bucharest, Romania; (C.P.); (S.N.); (A.U.); (E.Ș.); (C.C.)
| | - Emil Ștefănescu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Traian Vuia 6, 020956 Bucharest, Romania; (C.P.); (S.N.); (A.U.); (E.Ș.); (C.C.)
| | - Nicoleta Mirela Blebea
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Ovidius” University of Constanța, Căpitan Aviator Al. Şerbănescu 6, 900470 Constanța, Romania;
| | - Cornel Chiriță
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Traian Vuia 6, 020956 Bucharest, Romania; (C.P.); (S.N.); (A.U.); (E.Ș.); (C.C.)
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9
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Cao B, Xu Q, Shi Y, Zhao R, Li H, Zheng J, Liu F, Wan Y, Wei B. Pathology of pain and its implications for therapeutic interventions. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:155. [PMID: 38851750 PMCID: PMC11162504 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01845-w] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Pain is estimated to affect more than 20% of the global population, imposing incalculable health and economic burdens. Effective pain management is crucial for individuals suffering from pain. However, the current methods for pain assessment and treatment fall short of clinical needs. Benefiting from advances in neuroscience and biotechnology, the neuronal circuits and molecular mechanisms critically involved in pain modulation have been elucidated. These research achievements have incited progress in identifying new diagnostic and therapeutic targets. In this review, we first introduce fundamental knowledge about pain, setting the stage for the subsequent contents. The review next delves into the molecular mechanisms underlying pain disorders, including gene mutation, epigenetic modification, posttranslational modification, inflammasome, signaling pathways and microbiota. To better present a comprehensive view of pain research, two prominent issues, sexual dimorphism and pain comorbidities, are discussed in detail based on current findings. The status quo of pain evaluation and manipulation is summarized. A series of improved and innovative pain management strategies, such as gene therapy, monoclonal antibody, brain-computer interface and microbial intervention, are making strides towards clinical application. We highlight existing limitations and future directions for enhancing the quality of preclinical and clinical research. Efforts to decipher the complexities of pain pathology will be instrumental in translating scientific discoveries into clinical practice, thereby improving pain management from bench to bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Cao
- Department of General Surgery, First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Qixuan Xu
- Department of General Surgery, First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Yajiao Shi
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Ruiyang Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Hanghang Li
- Department of General Surgery, First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Fengyu Liu
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - You Wan
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Bo Wei
- Department of General Surgery, First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
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10
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Bell AM, Utting C, Dickie AC, Kucharczyk MW, Quillet R, Gutierrez-Mecinas M, Razlan ANB, Cooper AH, Lan Y, Hachisuka J, Weir GA, Bannister K, Watanabe M, Kania A, Hoon MA, Macaulay IC, Denk F, Todd AJ. Deep sequencing of Phox2a nuclei reveals five classes of anterolateral system neurons. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2314213121. [PMID: 38805282 PMCID: PMC11161781 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2314213121] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The anterolateral system (ALS) is a major ascending pathway from the spinal cord that projects to multiple brain areas and underlies the perception of pain, itch, and skin temperature. Despite its importance, our understanding of this system has been hampered by the considerable functional and molecular diversity of its constituent cells. Here, we use fluorescence-activated cell sorting to isolate ALS neurons belonging to the Phox2a-lineage for single-nucleus RNA sequencing. We reveal five distinct clusters of ALS neurons (ALS1-5) and document their laminar distribution in the spinal cord using in situ hybridization. We identify three clusters of neurons located predominantly in laminae I-III of the dorsal horn (ALS1-3) and two clusters with cell bodies located in deeper laminae (ALS4 and ALS5). Our findings reveal the transcriptional logic that underlies ALS neuronal diversity in the adult mouse and uncover the molecular identity of two previously identified classes of projection neurons. We also show that these molecular signatures can be used to target groups of ALS neurons using retrograde viral tracing. Overall, our findings provide a valuable resource for studying somatosensory biology and targeting subclasses of ALS neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M. Bell
- Spinal Cord Group, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8QQ, United Kingdom
- Small Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | | | - Allen C. Dickie
- Spinal Cord Group, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Mateusz W. Kucharczyk
- The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King’s College London, LondonWC2R 2LS, United Kingdom
- Cancer Neurophysiology Group, Lukasiewicz-PORT, Polish Center for Technology Development, Wroclaw54-066, Poland
| | - Raphaëlle Quillet
- Spinal Cord Group, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Gutierrez-Mecinas
- Spinal Cord Group, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Aimi N. B. Razlan
- Spinal Cord Group, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew H. Cooper
- Spinal Cord Group, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Yuxuan Lan
- Earlham Institute, NorwichNRU 7UZ, United Kingdom
| | - Junichi Hachisuka
- Spinal Cord Group, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Greg A. Weir
- Spinal Cord Group, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Kirsty Bannister
- The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King’s College London, LondonWC2R 2LS, United Kingdom
| | - Masahiko Watanabe
- Department of Anatomy, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Sapporo060-8638, Japan
| | - Artur Kania
- Neural Circuit Development Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, QCH2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Mark A. Hoon
- Molecular Genetics Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research/NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | | | - Franziska Denk
- The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King’s College London, LondonWC2R 2LS, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J. Todd
- Spinal Cord Group, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8QQ, United Kingdom
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11
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Li H, Deng Z, Yu X, Lin J, Xie Y, Liao W, Ma Y, Zheng Q. Combining dual-view fusion pose estimation and multi-type motion feature extraction to assess arthritis pain in mice. Biomed Signal Process Control 2024; 92:106080. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bspc.2024.106080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
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12
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Ferland S, Wang F, De Koninck Y, Ferrini F. An improved conflict avoidance assay reveals modality-specific differences in pain hypersensitivity across sexes. Pain 2024; 165:1304-1316. [PMID: 38277178 PMCID: PMC11090034 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Abnormal encoding of somatosensory modalities (ie, mechanical, cold, and heat) are a critical part of pathological pain states. Detailed phenotyping of patients' responses to these modalities have raised hopes that analgesic treatments could one day be tailored to a patient's phenotype. Such precise treatment would require a profound understanding of the underlying mechanisms of specific pain phenotypes at molecular, cellular, and circuitry levels. Although preclinical pain models have helped in that regard, the lack of a unified assay quantifying detailed mechanical, cold, and heat pain responses on the same scale precludes comparing how analgesic compounds act on different sensory phenotypes. The conflict avoidance assay is promising in that regard, but testing conditions require validation for its use with multiple modalities. In this study, we improve upon the conflict avoidance assay to provide a validated and detailed assessment of all 3 modalities within the same animal, in mice. We first optimized testing conditions to minimize the necessary amount of training and to reduce sex differences in performances. We then tested what range of stimuli produce dynamic stimulus-response relationships for different outcome measures in naive mice. We finally used this assay to show that nerve injury produces modality-specific sex differences in pain behavior. Our improved assay opens new avenues to study the basis of modality-specific abnormalities in pain behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Feng Wang
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Québec, QC, Canada
- Faculty of Dentistry, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Yves De Koninck
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Québec, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Francesco Ferrini
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Québec, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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13
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Sadler KE, Price TJ. A humanized focus on sickle cell pain. Blood 2024; 143:2016-2017. [PMID: 38753357 PMCID: PMC11143527 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2024024328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
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14
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Lu J, Zhang L, Zhang J, Sun Y, Wang H, Wang W, Wang K, Qin L, Jia J. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the central regulatory mechanism of orofacial hyperalgesia under low estrogen conditions. Behav Brain Res 2024; 469:115047. [PMID: 38759799 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Hyperalgesia occurs in the orofacial region of rats when estrogen levels are low, although the specific mechanism needs to be investigated further. Furthermore, oxidative stress plays an important role in the transmission of pain signals. This study aimed to explore the role of oxidative stress in orofacial hyperalgesia under low estrogen conditions. We firstly found an imbalance between oxidative and antioxidant capacity within the spinal trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (SP5C) of rats after ovariectomy (OVX), resulting in oxidative stress and then a decrease in the orofacial pain threshold. To investigate the mechanism by which oxidative stress occurs, we used virus as a tool to silence or overexpress the excitatory amino acid transporter 3 (EAAT3) gene. Further investigation revealed that the regulation of glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) can be achieved by regulating EAAT3, which in turn impacts the occurrence of oxidative stress. In summary, our findings suggest that reduced expression of EAAT3 within the SP5C of rats in the low estrogen state may decrease GSH content and increase ROS levels, resulting in oxidative stress and ultimately lead to orofacial hyperalgesia. This suggests that antioxidants could be a potential therapeutic direction for orofacial hyperalgesia under low estrogen conditions, though more research is needed to understand its mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiali Lu
- Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, China
| | - Linqian Zhang
- Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jinglin Zhang
- Yuncheng Vocational Nursing College, Yuncheng, China
| | - Yanrong Sun
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Hanfei Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Wenjuan Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Ke Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Lihua Qin
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.
| | - Jing Jia
- Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, China; Department of Stomatology, The Third Medical Center, Chinese PLA (People's Liberation Army) General Hospital, Beijing, China.
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15
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Kang JWM, Davanzo OI, Emvalomenos GM, Mychasiuk R, Henderson LA, Keay KA. Infraorbital nerve injury triggers sex-specific neuroimmune responses in the peripheral trigeminal pathway and common pain behaviours. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 118:480-498. [PMID: 38499209 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Trigeminal neuropathic pain is emotionally distressing and disabling. It presents with allodynia, hyperalgesia and dysaesthesia. In preclinical models it has been assumed that cephalic nerve constriction injury shows identical molecular, cellular, and sex dependent neuroimmune changes as observed in extra-cephalic injury models. This study sought empirical evidence for such assumptions using the infraorbital nerve chronic constriction model (ION-CCI). We compared the behavioural consequences of nerve constriction with: (i) the temporal patterns of recruitment of macrophages and T-lymphocytes at the site of nerve injury and in the trigeminal ganglion; and (ii) the degree of demyelination and axonal reorganisation in the injured nerve. Our data demonstrated that simply testing for allodynia and hyperalgesia as is done in extra-cephalic neuropathic pain models does not provide access to the range of injury-specific nociceptive responses and behaviours reflective of the experience of trigeminal neuropathic pain. Similarly, trigeminal neuroimmune changes evoked by nerve injury are not the same as those identified in models of extra-cephalic neuropathy. Specifically, the timing, magnitude, and pattern of ION-CCI evoked macrophage and T-lymphocyte activity differs between the sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W M Kang
- School of Medical Sciences [Neuroscience], and the Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Olivia I Davanzo
- School of Medical Sciences [Neuroscience], and the Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Gaelle M Emvalomenos
- School of Medical Sciences [Neuroscience], and the Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Richelle Mychasiuk
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Luke A Henderson
- School of Medical Sciences [Neuroscience], and the Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Kevin A Keay
- School of Medical Sciences [Neuroscience], and the Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
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16
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Barakat A, Munro G, Heegaard AM. Finding new analgesics: Computational pharmacology faces drug discovery challenges. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 222:116091. [PMID: 38412924 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Despite the worldwide prevalence and huge burden of pain, pain is an undertreated phenomenon. Currently used analgesics have several limitations regarding their efficacy and safety. The discovery of analgesics possessing a novel mechanism of action has faced multiple challenges, including a limited understanding of biological processes underpinning pain and analgesia and poor animal-to-human translation. Computational pharmacology is currently employed to face these challenges. In this review, we discuss the theory, methods, and applications of computational pharmacology in pain research. Computational pharmacology encompasses a wide variety of theoretical concepts and practical methodological approaches, with the overall aim of gaining biological insight through data acquisition and analysis. Data are acquired from patients or animal models with pain or analgesic treatment, at different levels of biological organization (molecular, cellular, physiological, and behavioral). Distinct methodological algorithms can then be used to analyze and integrate data. This helps to facilitate the identification of biological molecules and processes associated with pain phenotype, build quantitative models of pain signaling, and extract translatable features between humans and animals. However, computational pharmacology has several limitations, and its predictions can provide false positive and negative findings. Therefore, computational predictions are required to be validated experimentally before drawing solid conclusions. In this review, we discuss several case study examples of combining and integrating computational tools with experimental pain research tools to meet drug discovery challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Barakat
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
| | | | - Anne-Marie Heegaard
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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17
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Ledebuhr KNB, Nunes GD, Presa MH, Hartmann CM, Godoi B, Bortolatto CF, Brüning CA. Role of noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems in the antinociceptive effect of N-(3-(phenylselanyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)benzamide in mice. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2024; 484:116881. [PMID: 38437958 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2024.116881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Pain has a negative impact on public health, reducing quality of life. Unfortunately, current treatments are not fully effective and have adverse effects. Therefore, there is a need to develop new analgesic compounds. Due to promising results regarding the antinociceptive effect of N-(3-(phenylselanyl)prop-2-in-1-yl)benzamide (SePB), this study aimed to evaluate the participation of the dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems in this effect in mice, as well as its toxicity. To this, the antagonists sulpiride (D2/D3 receptor antagonist, 5 mg/kg), SCH-23390 (D1 receptor antagonist, 0.05 mg/kg), prazosin (α1 adrenergic receptor antagonist, 0.15 mg/kg), yohimbine (α2-adrenergic receptors, 0.15 mg/kg) and propranolol (non-selective β-adrenergic antagonist, 10 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally to mice 15 min before SePB (10 mg/kg, intragastrically), except for propranolol (20 min). After 26 min of SePB administration, the open field test was performed for 4 min to assess locomotor activity, followed by the tail immersion test to measure the nociceptive response. For the toxicity test, animals received a high dose of 300 mg/kg of SePB. SePB showed an increase in the latency for nociceptive response in the tail immersion test, and this effect was prevented by SCH-23390, yohimbine and propranolol, indicating the involvement of D1, α2 and β-adrenergic receptors in the antinociceptive mechanism of the SePB effect. No changes were observed in the open field test, and the toxicity assessment suggested that SePB has low potential to induce toxicity. These findings contribute to understanding SePB's mechanism of action, with a focus on the development of new alternatives for pain treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kauane Nayara Bahr Ledebuhr
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Neuropharmacology (LABIONEM), Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Bioprospecting (PPGBBio), Chemical, Pharmaceutical, and Food Sciences Center (CCQFA), Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), Pelotas, RS 96010-900, Brazil
| | - Gustavo D'Avila Nunes
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Neuropharmacology (LABIONEM), Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Bioprospecting (PPGBBio), Chemical, Pharmaceutical, and Food Sciences Center (CCQFA), Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), Pelotas, RS 96010-900, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Heinemann Presa
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Neuropharmacology (LABIONEM), Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Bioprospecting (PPGBBio), Chemical, Pharmaceutical, and Food Sciences Center (CCQFA), Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), Pelotas, RS 96010-900, Brazil
| | - Cleidi Maria Hartmann
- Núcleo de Síntese, Aplicação e Análise de Compostos Orgânicos e Inorgânicos (NUSAACOI), Federal University of Fronteira Sul (UFFS), Cerro Largo, RS, Brazil
| | - Benhur Godoi
- Núcleo de Síntese, Aplicação e Análise de Compostos Orgânicos e Inorgânicos (NUSAACOI), Federal University of Fronteira Sul (UFFS), Cerro Largo, RS, Brazil
| | - Cristiani Folharini Bortolatto
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Neuropharmacology (LABIONEM), Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Bioprospecting (PPGBBio), Chemical, Pharmaceutical, and Food Sciences Center (CCQFA), Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), Pelotas, RS 96010-900, Brazil.
| | - César Augusto Brüning
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Neuropharmacology (LABIONEM), Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Bioprospecting (PPGBBio), Chemical, Pharmaceutical, and Food Sciences Center (CCQFA), Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), Pelotas, RS 96010-900, Brazil.
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18
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Bell V, Varzakas T, Psaltopoulou T, Fernandes T. Sickle Cell Disease Update: New Treatments and Challenging Nutritional Interventions. Nutrients 2024; 16:258. [PMID: 38257151 PMCID: PMC10820494 DOI: 10.3390/nu16020258] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD), a distinctive and often overlooked illness in the 21st century, is a congenital blood disorder characterized by considerable phenotypic diversity. It comprises a group of disorders, with sickle cell anemia (SCA) being the most prevalent and serious genotype. Although there have been some systematic reviews of global data, worldwide statistics regarding SCD prevalence, morbidity, and mortality remain scarce. In developed countries with a lower number of sickle cell patients, cutting-edge technologies have led to the development of new treatments. However, in developing settings where sickle cell disease (SCD) is more prevalent, medical management, rather than a cure, still relies on the use of hydroxyurea, blood transfusions, and analgesics. This is a disease that affects red blood cells, consequently affecting most organs in diverse manners. We discuss its etiology and the advent of new technologies, but the aim of this study is to understand the various types of nutrition-related studies involving individuals suffering from SCD, particularly in Africa. The interplay of the environment, food, gut microbiota, along with their respective genomes collectively known as the gut microbiome, and host metabolism is responsible for mediating host metabolic phenotypes and modulating gut microbiota. In addition, it serves the purpose of providing essential nutrients. Moreover, it engages in direct interactions with host homeostasis and the immune system, as well as indirect interactions via metabolites. Nutrition interventions and nutritional care are mechanisms for addressing increased nutrient expenditures and are important aspects of supportive management for patients with SCD. Underprivileged areas in Sub-Saharan Africa should be accompanied by efforts to define and promote of the nutritional aspects of SCD. Their importance is key to maintaining well-being and quality of life, especially because new technologies and products remain limited, while the use of native medicinal plant resources is acknowledged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Bell
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal;
| | - Theodoros Varzakas
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of the Peloponnese, 24100 Kalamata, Greece
| | - Theodora Psaltopoulou
- Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Tito Fernandes
- CIISA, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1649-004 Lisbon, Portugal
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19
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Murray GM, Sessle BJ. Pain-sensorimotor interactions: New perspectives and a new model. NEUROBIOLOGY OF PAIN (CAMBRIDGE, MASS.) 2024; 15:100150. [PMID: 38327725 PMCID: PMC10847382 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynpai.2024.100150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
How pain and sensorimotor behavior interact has been the subject of research and debate for many decades. This article reviews theories bearing on pain-sensorimotor interactions and considers their strengths and limitations in the light of findings from experimental and clinical studies of pain-sensorimotor interactions in the spinal and craniofacial sensorimotor systems. A strength of recent theories is that they have incorporated concepts and features missing from earlier theories to account for the role of the sensory-discriminative, motivational-affective, and cognitive-evaluative dimensions of pain in pain-sensorimotor interactions. Findings acquired since the formulation of these recent theories indicate that additional features need to be considered to provide a more comprehensive conceptualization of pain-sensorimotor interactions. These features include biopsychosocial influences that range from biological factors such as genetics and epigenetics to psychological factors and social factors encompassing environmental and cultural influences. Also needing consideration is a mechanistic framework that includes other biological factors reflecting nociceptive processes and glioplastic and neuroplastic changes in sensorimotor and related brain and spinal cord circuits in acute or chronic pain conditions. The literature reviewed and the limitations of previous theories bearing on pain-sensorimotor interactions have led us to provide new perspectives on these interactions, and this has prompted our development of a new concept, the Theory of Pain-Sensorimotor Interactions (TOPSMI) that we suggest gives a more comprehensive framework to consider the interactions and their complexity. This theory states that pain is associated with plastic changes in the central nervous system (CNS) that lead to an activation pattern of motor units that contributes to the individual's adaptive sensorimotor behavior. This activation pattern takes account of the biological, psychological, and social influences on the musculoskeletal tissues involved in sensorimotor behavior and on the plastic changes and the experience of pain in that individual. The pattern is normally optimized in terms of biomechanical advantage and metabolic cost related to the features of the individual's musculoskeletal tissues and aims to minimize pain and any associated sensorimotor changes, and thereby maintain homeostasis. However, adverse biopsychosocial factors and their interactions may result in plastic CNS changes leading to less optimal, even maladaptive, sensorimotor changes producing motor unit activation patterns associated with the development of further pain. This more comprehensive theory points towards customized treatment strategies, in line with the management approaches to pain proposed in the biopsychosocial model of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greg M. Murray
- Discipline of Restorative and Reconstructive Dentistry, Sydney School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Darcy Road, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Barry J. Sessle
- Faculty of Dentistry and Temerty Faculty of Medicine Department of Physiology, and Centre for the Study of Pain, University of Toronto, 124 Edward St, Toronto, ON M5G 1G6, Canada
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20
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Badrulhisham F, Pogatzki-Zahn E, Segelcke D, Spisak T, Vollert J. Machine learning and artificial intelligence in neuroscience: A primer for researchers. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 115:470-479. [PMID: 37972877 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) is often used to describe the automation of complex tasks that we would attribute intelligence to. Machine learning (ML) is commonly understood as a set of methods used to develop an AI. Both have seen a recent boom in usage, both in scientific and commercial fields. For the scientific community, ML can solve bottle necks created by complex, multi-dimensional data generated, for example, by functional brain imaging or *omics approaches. ML can here identify patterns that could not have been found using traditional statistic approaches. However, ML comes with serious limitations that need to be kept in mind: their tendency to optimise solutions for the input data means it is of crucial importance to externally validate any findings before considering them more than a hypothesis. Their black-box nature implies that their decisions usually cannot be understood, which renders their use in medical decision making problematic and can lead to ethical issues. Here, we present an introduction for the curious to the field of ML/AI. We explain the principles as commonly used methods as well as recent methodological advancements before we discuss risks and what we see as future directions of the field. Finally, we show practical examples of neuroscience to illustrate the use and limitations of ML.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Esther Pogatzki-Zahn
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Daniel Segelcke
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Tamas Spisak
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Essen, Essen, Germany; Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Neurology, University Medicine Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jan Vollert
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom; Pain Research, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
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21
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Soliman N, Denk F. Practical approaches to improving translatability and reproducibility in preclinical pain research. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 115:38-42. [PMID: 37793487 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pain research continues to face the challenge of poor translatability of pre-clinical studies. In this short primer, we are summarizing the possible causes, with an emphasis on practical and constructive solutions. In particular, we stress the importance of increased heterogeneity in animal studies; formal or informal pre-registration to combat publication bias; and increased statistical training in order to help pre-clinical scientists appreciate the usefulness of available experimental design and reporting guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Soliman
- Pain Research, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Franziska Denk
- Wolfson Centre for Age-related Diseases, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 1UL, United Kingdom.
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22
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Baker CA. Spying on specific splicing in spinal nerve injury. Neurotherapeutics 2024; 21:e00315. [PMID: 38216398 PMCID: PMC10903080 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurot.2024.e00315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Baker
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, United States.
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23
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Wu Y, Han C, Luo R, Cai W, Xia Q, Jiang R, Ferdek PE, Liu T, Huang W. Molecular mechanisms of pain in acute pancreatitis: recent basic research advances and therapeutic implications. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1331438. [PMID: 38188196 PMCID: PMC10771850 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1331438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Although severe abdominal pain is the main symptom of acute pancreatitis, its mechanisms are poorly understood. An emerging body of literature evidence indicates that neurogenic inflammation might play a major role in modulating the perception of pain from the pancreas. Neurogenic inflammation is the result of a crosstalk between injured pancreatic tissue and activated neurons, which leads to an auto-amplification loop between inflammation and pain during the progression of acute pancreatitis. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the role of neuropeptides, ion channels, and the endocannabinoid system in acute pancreatitis-related pain. We also highlight potential therapeutic strategies that could be applied for managing severe pain in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongzi Wu
- West China Centre of Excellence for Pancreatitis, Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, West China-Liverpool Biomedical Research Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chenxia Han
- West China Centre of Excellence for Pancreatitis, Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, West China-Liverpool Biomedical Research Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rong Luo
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenhao Cai
- West China Centre of Excellence for Pancreatitis, Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, West China-Liverpool Biomedical Research Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qing Xia
- West China Centre of Excellence for Pancreatitis, Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, West China-Liverpool Biomedical Research Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ruotian Jiang
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Pawel E. Ferdek
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Tingting Liu
- West China Centre of Excellence for Pancreatitis, Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, West China-Liverpool Biomedical Research Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wei Huang
- West China Centre of Excellence for Pancreatitis, Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, West China-Liverpool Biomedical Research Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Institutes for Systems Genetics and Immunology and Inflammation, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- West China Biobank, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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24
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Dedek C, Azadgoleh MA, Prescott SA. Reproducible and fully automated testing of nocifensive behavior in mice. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2023; 3:100650. [PMID: 37992707 PMCID: PMC10783627 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2023.100650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Pain in rodents is often inferred from their withdrawal from noxious stimulation. Threshold stimulus intensity or response latency is used to quantify pain sensitivity. This usually involves applying stimuli by hand and measuring responses by eye, which limits reproducibility and throughput. We describe a device that standardizes and automates pain testing by providing computer-controlled aiming, stimulation, and response measurement. Optogenetic and thermal stimuli are applied using blue and infrared light, respectively. Precise mechanical stimulation is also demonstrated. Reflectance of red light is used to measure paw withdrawal with millisecond precision. We show that consistent stimulus delivery is crucial for resolving stimulus-dependent variations in withdrawal and for testing with sustained stimuli. Moreover, substage video reveals "spontaneous" behaviors for consideration alongside withdrawal metrics to better assess the pain experience. The entire process was automated using machine learning. RAMalgo (reproducible automated multimodal algometry) improves the standardization, comprehensiveness, and throughput of preclinical pain testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Dedek
- Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Mehdi A Azadgoleh
- Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Steven A Prescott
- Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.
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25
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Bohic M, Pattison LA, Jhumka ZA, Rossi H, Thackray JK, Ricci M, Mossazghi N, Foster W, Ogundare S, Twomey CR, Hilton H, Arnold J, Tischfield MA, Yttri EA, St John Smith E, Abdus-Saboor I, Abraira VE. Mapping the neuroethological signatures of pain, analgesia, and recovery in mice. Neuron 2023; 111:2811-2830.e8. [PMID: 37442132 PMCID: PMC10697150 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Ongoing pain is driven by the activation and modulation of pain-sensing neurons, affecting physiology, motor function, and motivation to engage in certain behaviors. The complexity of the pain state has evaded a comprehensive definition, especially in non-verbal animals. Here, in mice, we used site-specific electrophysiology to define key time points corresponding to peripheral sensitivity in acute paw inflammation and chronic knee pain models. Using supervised and unsupervised machine learning tools, we uncovered sensory-evoked coping postures unique to each model. Through 3D pose analytics, we identified movement sequences that robustly represent different pain states and found that commonly used analgesics do not return an animal's behavior to a pre-injury state. Instead, these analgesics induce a novel set of spontaneous behaviors that are maintained even after resolution of evoked pain behaviors. Together, these findings reveal previously unidentified neuroethological signatures of pain and analgesia at heightened pain states and during recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Bohic
- Cell Biology and Neuroscience Department, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA; W.M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Luke A Pattison
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Z Anissa Jhumka
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Heather Rossi
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joshua K Thackray
- Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Tourette International Collaborative Genetics Study (TIC Genetics), Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Matthew Ricci
- Data Science Initiative, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA; School of Computer Science and Engineering, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Nahom Mossazghi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - William Foster
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Simon Ogundare
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Colin R Twomey
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Helen Hilton
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Justin Arnold
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Max A Tischfield
- Cell Biology and Neuroscience Department, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA; Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Tourette International Collaborative Genetics Study (TIC Genetics), Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Eric A Yttri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Ishmail Abdus-Saboor
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Victoria E Abraira
- Cell Biology and Neuroscience Department, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA; W.M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
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26
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Nunamaker EA, Turner PV. Unmasking the Adverse Impacts of Sex Bias on Science and Research Animal Welfare. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2792. [PMID: 37685056 PMCID: PMC10486396 DOI: 10.3390/ani13172792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex bias in biomedical and natural science research has been prevalent for decades. In many cases, the female estrous cycle was thought to be too complex an issue to model for, and it was thought to be simpler to only use males in studies. At times, particularly when studying efficacy and safety of new therapeutics, this sex bias has resulted in over- and under-medication with associated deleterious side effects in women. Many sex differences have been recognized that are unrelated to hormonal variation occurring during the estrous cycle. Sex bias also creates animal welfare challenges related to animal over-production and wastage, insufficient consideration of welfare (and scientific) impact related to differential housing of male vs female animals within research facilities, and a lack of understanding regarding differential requirements for pain recognition and alleviation in male versus female animals. Although many funding and government agencies require both sexes to be studied in biomedical research, many disparities remain in practice. This requires further enforcement of expectations by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee when reviewing protocols, research groups when writing grants, planning studies, and conducting research, and scientific journals and reviewers to ensure that sex bias policies are enforced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A. Nunamaker
- Global Animal Welfare and Training, Charles River Laboratories, Wilmington, MA 01887, USA;
| | - Patricia V. Turner
- Global Animal Welfare and Training, Charles River Laboratories, Wilmington, MA 01887, USA;
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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27
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Bell AM, Utting C, Dickie AC, Kucharczyk MW, Quillet R, Gutierrez-Mecinas M, Razlan AN, Cooper AH, Lan Y, Hachisuka J, Weir GA, Bannister K, Watanabe M, Kania A, Hoon MA, Macaulay IC, Denk F, Todd AJ. Deep sequencing of Phox2a nuclei reveals five classes of anterolateral system neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.20.553715. [PMID: 37786726 PMCID: PMC10541585 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.20.553715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
The anterolateral system (ALS) is a major ascending pathway from the spinal cord that projects to multiple brain areas and underlies the perception of pain, itch and skin temperature. Despite its importance, our understanding of this system has been hampered by the considerable functional and molecular diversity of its constituent cells. Here we use fluorescence-activated cell sorting to isolate ALS neurons belonging to the Phox2a-lineage for single-nucleus RNA sequencing. We reveal five distinct clusters of ALS neurons (ALS1-5) and document their laminar distribution in the spinal cord using in situ hybridization. We identify 3 clusters of neurons located predominantly in laminae I-III of the dorsal horn (ALS1-3) and two clusters with cell bodies located in deeper laminae (ALS4 & ALS5). Our findings reveal the transcriptional logic that underlies ALS neuronal diversity in the adult mouse and uncover the molecular identity of two previously identified classes of projection neurons. We also show that these molecular signatures can be used to target groups of ALS neurons using retrograde viral tracing. Overall, our findings provide a valuable resource for studying somatosensory biology and targeting subclasses of ALS neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M. Bell
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | | | - Allen C. Dickie
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Mateusz W. Kucharczyk
- The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King’s College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Biochemical Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, PL30-668 Krakow, Poland
| | - Raphaëlle Quillet
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Maria Gutierrez-Mecinas
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Aimi N.B. Razlan
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Andrew H. Cooper
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | | | - Junichi Hachisuka
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Greg A. Weir
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Kirsty Bannister
- The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King’s College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
| | - Masahiko Watanabe
- Department of Anatomy, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Artur Kania
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal, QC, H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Mark A. Hoon
- Molecular Genetics Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research/NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Franziska Denk
- The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King’s College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
| | - Andrew J. Todd
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
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28
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Du F, Yin G, Han L, Liu X, Dong D, Duan K, Huo J, Sun Y, Cheng L. Targeting Peripheral μ-opioid Receptors or μ-opioid Receptor-Expressing Neurons Does not Prevent Morphine-induced Mechanical Allodynia and Anti-allodynic Tolerance. Neurosci Bull 2023; 39:1210-1228. [PMID: 36622575 PMCID: PMC10387027 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-022-01009-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The chronic use of morphine and other opioids is associated with opioid-induced hypersensitivity (OIH) and analgesic tolerance. Among the different forms of OIH and tolerance, the opioid receptors and cell types mediating opioid-induced mechanical allodynia and anti-allodynic tolerance remain unresolved. Here we demonstrated that the loss of peripheral μ-opioid receptors (MORs) or MOR-expressing neurons attenuated thermal tolerance, but did not affect the expression and maintenance of morphine-induced mechanical allodynia and anti-allodynic tolerance. To confirm this result, we made dorsal root ganglia-dorsal roots-sagittal spinal cord slice preparations and recorded low-threshold Aβ-fiber stimulation-evoked inputs and outputs in superficial dorsal horn neurons. Consistent with the behavioral results, peripheral MOR loss did not prevent the opening of Aβ mechanical allodynia pathways in the spinal dorsal horn. Therefore, the peripheral MOR signaling pathway may not be an optimal target for preventing mechanical OIH and analgesic tolerance. Future studies should focus more on central mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Du
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Guangjuan Yin
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Lei Han
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xi Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Dong Dong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Kaifang Duan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jiantao Huo
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yanyan Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Longzhen Cheng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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29
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Ma Q, Su D, Huo J, Yin G, Dong D, Duan K, Cheng H, Xu H, Ma J, Liu D, Mou B, Peng J, Cheng L. Microglial Depletion does not Affect the Laterality of Mechanical Allodynia in Mice. Neurosci Bull 2023; 39:1229-1245. [PMID: 36637789 PMCID: PMC10387012 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-022-01017-2] [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: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanical allodynia (MA), including punctate and dynamic forms, is a common and debilitating symptom suffered by millions of chronic pain patients. Some peripheral injuries result in the development of bilateral MA, while most injuries usually led to unilateral MA. To date, the control of such laterality remains poorly understood. Here, to study the role of microglia in the control of MA laterality, we used genetic strategies to deplete microglia and tested both dynamic and punctate forms of MA in mice. Surprisingly, the depletion of central microglia did not prevent the induction of bilateral dynamic and punctate MA. Moreover, in dorsal root ganglion-dorsal root-sagittal spinal cord slice preparations we recorded the low-threshold Aβ-fiber stimulation-evoked inputs and outputs of superficial dorsal horn neurons. Consistent with behavioral results, microglial depletion did not prevent the opening of bilateral gates for Aβ pathways in the superficial dorsal horn. This study challenges the role of microglia in the control of MA laterality in mice. Future studies are needed to further understand whether the role of microglia in the control of MA laterality is etiology-or species-specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Ma
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Dongmei Su
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jiantao Huo
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Guangjuan Yin
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Dong Dong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Kaifang Duan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Hong Cheng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Huiling Xu
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jiao Ma
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Dong Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Bin Mou
- Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Jiyun Peng
- Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.
| | - Longzhen Cheng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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30
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Teixeira-Santos L, Martins S, Sousa T, Albino-Teixeira A, Pinho D. The pro-resolving lipid mediator Maresin 1 ameliorates pain responses and neuroinflammation in the spared nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain: A study in male and female mice. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287392. [PMID: 37347750 PMCID: PMC10286986 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) have recently emerged as promising therapeutic approaches for neuropathic pain (NP). We evaluated the effects of oral treatment with the SPM Maresin 1 (MaR1) on behavioral pain responses and spinal neuroinflammation in male and female C57BL/6J mice with spared nerve injury (SNI)-induced NP. MaR1, or vehicle, was administered once daily, on post-surgical days 3 to 5, by voluntary oral intake. Sensory-discriminative and affective-motivational components of pain were evaluated with von Frey and place escape/avoidance paradigm (PEAP) tests, respectively. Spinal microglial and astrocytic activation were assessed by immunofluorescence, and the spinal concentration of cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) were evaluated by multiplex immunoassay. MaR1 treatment reduced SNI-induced mechanical hypersensitivity on days 7 and 11 in both male and female mice, and appeared to ameliorate the affective component of pain in males on day 11. No definitive conclusions could be drawn about the impact of MaR1 on the affective-motivational aspects of pain in female mice, since repeated suprathreshold mechanical stimulation of the affected paw in the dark compartment did not increase the preference of vehicle-treated SNI females for the light side, during the PEAP test session (a fundamental assumption for PAEP's validity). MaR1 treatment also reduced ipsilateral spinal microglial and astrocytic activation in both sexes and marginally increased M-CSF in males, while not affecting cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 in either sex. In summary, our study has shown that oral treatment with MaR1 (i) produces antinociception even in an already installed peripheral NP mouse model, and (ii) this antinociception may extend for several days beyond the treatment time-frame. These therapeutic effects are associated with attenuated microglial and astrocytic activation in both sexes, and possibly involve modulation of M-CSF action in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luísa Teixeira-Santos
- Departamento de Biomedicina–Unidade de Farmacologia e Terapêutica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação Farmacológica e Inovação Medicamentosa (MedInUP), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sandra Martins
- Serviço de Patologia Clínica, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário São João (CHUSJ), Porto, Portugal
- EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Teresa Sousa
- Departamento de Biomedicina–Unidade de Farmacologia e Terapêutica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação Farmacológica e Inovação Medicamentosa (MedInUP), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - António Albino-Teixeira
- Departamento de Biomedicina–Unidade de Farmacologia e Terapêutica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação Farmacológica e Inovação Medicamentosa (MedInUP), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Dora Pinho
- Departamento de Biomedicina–Unidade de Farmacologia e Terapêutica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação Farmacológica e Inovação Medicamentosa (MedInUP), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Sadighparvar S, Al-Hamed FS, Sharif-Naeini R, Meloto CB. Preclinical orofacial pain assays and measures and chronic primary orofacial pain research: where we are and where we need to go. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2023; 4:1150749. [PMID: 37293433 PMCID: PMC10244561 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2023.1150749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic primary orofacial pain (OFP) conditions such as painful temporomandibular disorders (pTMDs; i.e., myofascial pain and arthralgia), idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (TN), and burning mouth syndrome (BMS) are seemingly idiopathic, but evidence support complex and multifactorial etiology and pathophysiology. Important fragments of this complex array of factors have been identified over the years largely with the help of preclinical studies. However, findings have yet to translate into better pain care for chronic OFP patients. The need to develop preclinical assays that better simulate the etiology, pathophysiology, and clinical symptoms of OFP patients and to assess OFP measures consistent with their clinical symptoms is a challenge that needs to be overcome to support this translation process. In this review, we describe rodent assays and OFP pain measures that can be used in support of chronic primary OFP research, in specific pTMDs, TN, and BMS. We discuss their suitability and limitations considering the current knowledge of the etiology and pathophysiology of these conditions and suggest possible future directions. Our goal is to foster the development of innovative animal models with greater translatability and potential to lead to better care for patients living with chronic primary OFP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirin Sadighparvar
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- The Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Reza Sharif-Naeini
- The Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Cell Information Systems, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Carolina Beraldo Meloto
- The Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Pan Q, Guo SS, Chen M, Su XY, Gao ZL, Wang Q, Xu TL, Liu MG, Hu J. Representation and control of pain and itch by distinct prefrontal neural ensembles. Neuron 2023:S0896-6273(23)00342-2. [PMID: 37224813 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Pain and itch are two closely related but essentially distinct sensations that elicit different behavioral responses. However, it remains mysterious how pain and itch information is encoded in the brain to produce differential perceptions. Here, we report that nociceptive and pruriceptive signals are separately represented and processed by distinct neural ensembles in the prelimbic (PL) subdivision of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in mice. Pain- and itch-responsive cortical neural ensembles were found to significantly differ in electrophysiological properties, input-output connectivity profiles, and activity patterns to nociceptive or pruriceptive stimuli. Moreover, these two groups of cortical neural ensembles oppositely modulate pain- or itch-related sensory and emotional behaviors through their preferential projections to specific downstream regions such as the mediodorsal thalamus (MD) and basolateral amygdala (BLA). These findings uncover separate representations of pain and itch by distinct prefrontal neural ensembles and provide a new framework for understanding somatosensory information processing in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Pan
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Su-Shan Guo
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Ming Chen
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Xin-Yu Su
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Zi-Long Gao
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Qi Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Tian-Le Xu
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Songjiang Hospital and Songjiang Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201600, China; Shanghai Research Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Shanghai 201210, China.
| | - Ming-Gang Liu
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.
| | - Ji Hu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai 200030, China.
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Cronin SJF, Andrews NA, Latremoliere A. Peripheralized sepiapterin reductase inhibition as a safe analgesic therapy. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1173599. [PMID: 37251335 PMCID: PMC10213231 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1173599] [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: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of novel analgesics for chronic pain in the last 2 decades has proven virtually intractable, typically failing due to lack of efficacy and dose-limiting side effects. Identified through unbiased gene expression profiling experiments in rats and confirmed by human genome-wide association studies, the role of excessive tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) in chronic pain has been validated by numerous clinical and preclinical studies. BH4 is an essential cofactor for aromatic amino acid hydroxylases, nitric oxide synthases, and alkylglycerol monooxygenase so a lack of BH4 leads to a range of symptoms in the periphery and central nervous system (CNS). An ideal therapeutic goal therefore would be to block excessive BH4 production, while preventing potential BH4 rundown. In this review, we make the case that sepiapterin reductase (SPR) inhibition restricted to the periphery (i.e., excluded from the spinal cord and brain), is an efficacious and safe target to alleviate chronic pain. First, we describe how different cell types that engage in BH4 overproduction and contribute to pain hypersensitivity, are themselves restricted to peripheral tissues and show their blockade is sufficient to alleviate pain. We discuss the likely safety profile of peripherally restricted SPR inhibition based on human genetic data, the biochemical alternate routes of BH4 production in various tissues and species, and the potential pitfalls to predictive translation when using rodents. Finally, we propose and discuss possible formulation and molecular strategies to achieve peripherally restricted, potent SPR inhibition to treat not only chronic pain but other conditions where excessive BH4 has been demonstrated to be pathological.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nick A. Andrews
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Alban Latremoliere
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Neurosurgery Pain Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Huo J, Du F, Duan K, Yin G, Liu X, Ma Q, Dong D, Sun M, Hao M, Su D, Huang T, Ke J, Lai S, Zhang Z, Guo C, Sun Y, Cheng L. Identification of brain-to-spinal circuits controlling the laterality and duration of mechanical allodynia in mice. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112300. [PMID: 36952340 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112300] [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: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanical allodynia (MA) represents one prevalent symptom of chronic pain. Previously we and others have identified spinal and brain circuits that transmit or modulate the initial establishment of MA. However, brain-derived descending pathways that control the laterality and duration of MA are still poorly understood. Here we report that the contralateral brain-to-spinal circuits, from Oprm1 neurons in the lateral parabrachial nucleus (lPBNOprm1), via Pdyn neurons in the dorsal medial regions of hypothalamus (dmHPdyn), to the spinal dorsal horn (SDH), act to prevent nerve injury from inducing contralateral MA and reduce the duration of bilateral MA induced by capsaicin. Ablating/silencing dmH-projecting lPBNOprm1 neurons or SDH-projecting dmHPdyn neurons, deleting Dyn peptide from dmH, or blocking spinal κ-opioid receptors all led to long-lasting bilateral MA. Conversely, activation of dmHPdyn neurons or their axonal terminals in SDH can suppress sustained bilateral MA induced by lPBN lesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiantao Huo
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Feng Du
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Kaifang Duan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Guangjuan Yin
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xi Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Quan Ma
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Dong Dong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Mengge Sun
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Mei Hao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Dongmei Su
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Tianwen Huang
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jin Ke
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Shishi Lai
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhi Zhang
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Chao Guo
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yuanjie Sun
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Longzhen Cheng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China; Department of Biology, Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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35
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Jin MY, Everett ES, Abd-Elsayed A. Microbiological and Physiological Effects of Pain. Curr Pain Headache Rep 2023; 27:165-173. [PMID: 37086365 PMCID: PMC10122082 DOI: 10.1007/s11916-023-01114-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
Pain is an important innate defense mechanism that can dramatically alter a person's quality of life. Understanding the microbiological and physiological effects of pain may be important in the pursuit of novel pain interventions. The three descriptors of pain recognized by the International Association for the Study of Pain are nociceptive, neuropathic, and nociplastic pain. Our review examined the current understanding of all three pain types, focusing on the key molecules involved in the manifestation of each type as well as physiological effects. Additionally, we compared the differences in painful and painless neuropathies and discussed the neuroimmune interaction involved in the manifestation of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Y Jin
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Erin S Everett
- Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Alaa Abd-Elsayed
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
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36
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Chang YC, Lo YC, Chang HS, Lin HC, Chiu CC, Chen YF. An efficient cellular image-based platform for high-content screening of neuroprotective agents against chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. Neurotoxicology 2023; 96:118-128. [PMID: 37086979 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2023.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Abstract
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a major dose-limiting side effect, with no approved therapy for prevention or treatment. Here, we aimed to establish a high-content image platform based on the neurite outgrowth of dorsal root ganglia (DRG)-derived neuron cells for the discovery of neuroprotective agents against paclitaxel-induced CIPN. ND7/23 cells, an immortalized hybrid DRG cell line, were maturely differentiated by induction with nerve growth factor and upregulation of intracellular cAMP levels. High-content image analyses of the neurofilament-stained neurite network showed that paclitaxel disrupted the neurite outgrowth of well-differentiated ND7/23 DRG neuron cells, recapitulating characteristic effects of paclitaxel on primary cultured DRG neurons. This process coincided with the upregulated activity of store-operated Ca2+ entry, similar to those found in rodent models of paclitaxel-induced CIPN. The previously identified neuroprotective agents, minoxidil and 8-Br-cyclic adenosine monophosphate ribose (8-Br-cADPR), attenuated the reduction in total neurite outgrowth in paclitaxel-damaged ND7/23 cells. Additionally, the total neurite outgrowth of well-differentiated ND7/23 cells was concentration-dependently reduced by the neurotoxic chemotherapeutic agents, oxaliplatin and bortezomib, but not the less neurotoxic 5-fluorouracil. We demonstrated that high-content analyses of neurite morphology in well-differentiated DRG neuron-derived cells provide an effective, reproducible, and high-throughput strategy for developing therapeutics against CIPN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang-Chen Chang
- Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ching Lo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan
| | - Hsun-Shuo Chang
- Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan; Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ching Lin
- Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chih Chiu
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan
| | - Yih-Fung Chen
- Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan; Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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37
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Standing on the shoulders of bias: lack of transparency and reporting of critical rigor characteristics in pain research. Pain 2023:00006396-990000000-00258. [PMID: 36877823 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Rigorous experimental design with transparent reporting in biomedical science reduces risk of bias and allows for scientists to judge the quality of the research. Basic factors of rigor such as blinding, randomization, power analysis, and inclusion of both sexes impact the reproducibility by reducing experimental bias. We designed a systematic study to analyze basic factors of rigor, inclusion of sex, and whether data were analyzed or disaggregated by sex over the past 10 years in the journal PAIN. Studies that included humans reported randomization in 81%, blinding in 48%, and the use of a power analysis calculation in 27% over the past 10 years. Studies that included mice reported randomization in 35%, blinding in 70%, and the use of a power analysis in 9%. Studies that included rats reported randomization in 38%, blinding in 63%, and the use of power analysis in 12%. This study also found that human studies consistently included both sexes over the past decade, but less than 20% of data were disaggregated or analyzed for sex differences. Although mouse and rat studies predominately used males only, there has been a slight increase in inclusion of both sexes over the past few years. Justification for single-sex studies was below 50% in both human and rodent data. In both human and animal studies, transparency in reporting of experimental design and inclusion of both sexes should be considered standard practice and will result in improved quality and reproducibility of published research.
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38
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Behavioral Voluntary and Social Bioassays Enabling Identification of Complex and Sex-Dependent Pain-(-Related) Phenotypes in Rats with Bone Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15051565. [PMID: 36900357 PMCID: PMC10000428 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15051565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-induced bone pain (CIBP) is a common and devastating symptom with limited treatment options in patients, significantly affecting their quality of life. The use of rodent models is the most common approach to uncovering the mechanisms underlying CIBP; however, the translation of results to the clinic may be hindered because the assessment of pain-related behavior is often based exclusively on reflexive-based methods, which are only partially indicative of relevant pain in patients. To improve the accuracy and strength of the preclinical, experimental model of CIBP in rodents, we used a battery of multimodal behavioral tests that were also aimed at identifying rodent-specific behavioral components by using a home-cage monitoring assay (HCM). Rats of all sexes received an injection with either heat-deactivated (sham-group) or potent mammary gland carcinoma Walker 256 cells into the tibia. By integrating multimodal datasets, we assessed pain-related behavioral trajectories of the CIBP-phenotype, including evoked and non-evoked based assays and HCM. Using principal component analysis (PCA), we discovered sex-specific differences in establishing the CIBP-phenotype, which occurred earlier (and differently) in males. Additionally, HCM phenotyping revealed the occurrence of sensory-affective states manifested by mechanical hypersensitivity in sham when housed with a tumor-bearing cagemate (CIBP) of the same sex. This multimodal battery allows for an in-depth characterization of the CIBP-phenotype under social aspects in rats. The detailed, sex-specific, and rat-specific social phenotyping of CIBP enabled by PCA provides the basis for mechanism-driven studies to ensure robustness and generalizability of results and provide information for targeted drug development in the future.
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Millecamps M, Sotocinal SG, Austin JS, Stone LS, Mogil JS. Sex-specific effects of neuropathic pain on long-term pain behavior and mortality in mice. Pain 2023; 164:577-586. [PMID: 35916733 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Human epidemiological studies suggest that chronic pain can increase mortality risk. We investigated whether this was true in mice so that underlying mechanisms might be identified. At 10 weeks of age, C57BL/6 mice of both sexes received sham or spared nerve injury (SNI) surgery producing neuropathic pain. Mice were weighed monthly, tested behaviorally for mechanical and cold sensitivity and guarding behavior every 3 months postsurgery, and otherwise left undisturbed in their cages until death by natural causes. Evidence of pain over the lifespan displayed a strikingly sex-specific pattern. Male mice displayed largely stable mechanical and cold hypersensitivity and guarding at 6 to 30 months post-SNI. By contrast, female mice displayed a biphasic temporal pattern of mechanical hypersensitivity and guarding behavior, with a complete resolution of SNI-induced pain behavior at 6 to 9 months post-SNI followed by the return of pain thereafter. Mouse lifespan was not significantly altered by SNI in either sex nor was frailty as assessed by cage inspection in the last 6 months of life. However, in male mice with SNI, we observe a significant correlation between average lifetime mechanical hypersensitivity and lifespan, such that death occurred sooner in male mice exhibiting more evidence of chronic pain. This relationship was not observed in female SNI mice nor in sham-operated mice of either sex. This experiment is the first to investigate pain behavior over an entire adult lifetime and suggests that biology of relevance to human chronic pain is being ignored by the very short timespans of most extant preclinical pain research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magali Millecamps
- Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Susana G Sotocinal
- Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Laura S Stone
- Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Jeffrey S Mogil
- Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Departments of Psychology and Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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40
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Qiao B, Song X, Zhang N, Xu M, Zhuang B, Guo H, Wu W, Yang Z, Xie X, Luan Y, Zhang C. Artificial nano-red blood cells nanoplatform with lysosomal escape capability for ultrasound imaging-guided on-demand pain management. Acta Biomater 2023; 158:798-810. [PMID: 36638944 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Postoperative pain management would benefit significantly from an anesthetic that could take effect in an on-demand manner. An ultrasound would be an appropriate tool for such nanoplatform because it is widely used in clinical settings for ultrasound-guided anesthesia. Herein, we report a nanoplatform for postoperative on-demand pain management that can effectively enhance their analgesic time while providing ultrasonic imaging. Levobupivacaine and perfluoropentane were put into dendritic mesoporous silica and covered with red blood cell membranes to make the pain relief last longer in living organisms. The generated nanoplatform with gas-producing capability is ultrasonic responsive and can finely escape from the lysosomal in cells under ultrasound irradiation, maximizing the anesthetic effect with minimal toxicity. Using an incision pain model in vivo, levobupivacaine's sustained and controlled release gives pain reduction for approximately 3 days straight. The duration of pain relief is over 20 times greater than with a single injection of free levobupivacaine. Effective pain management was reached in vivo, and the pain reduction was enhanced by repeated ultrasonic irradiation. There was no detectable systemic or tissue injury under either of the treatments. Thus, our results suggest that nanoplatform with lysosomal escape capability can provide a practical ultrasound imaging-guided on-demand pain management strategy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: On-demand pain management is essential to postoperative patients. However, the traditional on-demand pain management strategy is hampered by the limited tissue penetration depth of near-infrared stimuli and the lack of proper imaging guidance. The proposed research is significant because it provides a nanoplatform for deep penetrated ultrasound controlled pain management under clinical applicable ultrasound imaging guidance. Moreover, the nanoplatform with prolonged retention time and lysosomal escape capability can provide long-term pain alleviation. Therefore, our results suggest that nanoplatform with lysosomal escape capability can provide an effective strategy for ultrasound imaging-guided on-demand pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Qiao
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Xinye Song
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Liaoning 116011, PR China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Ming Xu
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Bowen Zhuang
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Huanling Guo
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Wenxin Wu
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Zhuyang Yang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Xiaoyan Xie
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China.
| | - Yong Luan
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Liaoning 116011, PR China.
| | - Chunyang Zhang
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China.
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Luo Z, Wang T, Zhang Z, Zeng H, Yi M, Li P, Pan J, Zhu C, Lin N, Liang S, Verkhratsky A, Nie H. Polyphyllin VI screened from Chonglou by cell membrane immobilized chromatography relieves inflammatory pain by inhibiting inflammation and normalizing the expression of P2X 3 purinoceptor. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1117762. [PMID: 36865911 PMCID: PMC9971013 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1117762] [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: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: Inflammatory pain is one of the most common diseases in daily life and clinic. In this work, we analysed bioactive components of the traditional Chinese medicine Chonglou and studied mechanisms of their analgesic effects. Material and methods: Molecular docking technology and U373 cells overexpressing P2X3 receptors combined with the cell membrane immobilized chromatography were used to screen possible CL bioactive molecules interacting with the P2X3 receptor. Moreover, we investigated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Polyphyllin VI (PPIV), in mice with chronic neuroinflammatory pain induced by CFA (complete Freund's adjuvant). Results: The results of cell membrane immobilized chromatography and molecular docking showed that PPVI was one of the effective compounds of Chonglou. In mice with CFA-induced chronic neuroinflammatory pain, PPVI decreased the thermal paw withdrawal latency and mechanical paw withdrawal threshold and diminished foot edema. Additionally, in mice with CFA-induced chronic neuroinflammatory pain, PPIV reduced the expression of the pro-inflammatory factors IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and downregulated the expression of P2X3 receptors in the dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord. Conclusion: Our work identifies PPVI as a potential analgesic component in the Chonglou extract. We demonstrated that PPVI reduces pain by inhibiting inflammation and normalizing P2X3 receptor expression in the dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhui Luo
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tingting Wang
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenglang Zhang
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hekun Zeng
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mengqin Yi
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peiyang Li
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaqin Pan
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chunyan Zhu
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Na Lin
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shangdong Liang
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory of Physiology Department, Basic Medical School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Alexei Verkhratsky
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Alexei Verkhratsky, ; Hong Nie,
| | - Hong Nie
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China,*Correspondence: Alexei Verkhratsky, ; Hong Nie,
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Experimenter familiarization is a crucial prerequisite for assessing behavioral outcomes and reduces stress in mice not only under chronic pain conditions. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2289. [PMID: 36759654 PMCID: PMC9911644 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29052-7] [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: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Rodent behavior is affected by different environmental conditions. These do not only comprise experimental and housing conditions but also familiarization with the experimenter. However, specific effects on pain-related behavior and chronic pain conditions have not been examined. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the impact of different housing conditions, using individually ventilated and standard open top cages, inverted day-night cycles, and experimenter familiarization on male mice following peripheral neuropathy using the spared nerve injury (SNI) model. Using a multimodal approach, we evaluated evoked pain-related- using von Frey hair filaments, measured gait pattern with the CatWalk system, assessed anxiety- and depression-like behavior with the Elevated plus maze and tail suspension test, measured corticosterone metabolite levels in feces and utilized an integrative approach for relative-severity-assessment. Mechanical sensitivity differed between the cage systems and experimenter familiarization and was affected in both sham and SNI mice. Experimenter familiarization and an inverted day-night cycle reduced mechanical hypersensitivity in SNI and sham mice. SNI mice of the inverted day-night group displayed the slightest pronounced alterations in gait pattern in the Catwalk test. Anxiety-related behavior was only found in SNI mice of experimenter-familiarized mice compared to the sham controls. In addition, familiarization reduced the stress level measured by fecal corticosteroid metabolites caused by the pain and the behavioral tests. Although no environmental condition significantly modulated the severity in SNI mice, it influenced pain-affected phenotypes and is, therefore, crucial for designing and interpreting preclinical pain studies. Moreover, environmental conditions should be considered more in the reporting guidelines, described in more detail, and discussed as a potential influence on pain phenotypes.
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Effects of NADPH Oxidase Isoform-2 (NOX2) Inhibition on Behavioral Responses and Neuroinflammation in a Mouse Model of Neuropathic Pain. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020416. [PMID: 36830952 PMCID: PMC9953009 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
NADPH oxidase isoform-2 (NOX2) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain (NP), mostly through the modulation of neuroinflammation. Since it is also accepted that some neuroimmune mechanisms underlying NP are sex-dependent, we aimed to evaluate the effects of early systemic treatment with the NOX2-selective inhibitor (NOX2i) GSK2795039 on behavioral responses and spinal neuroinflammation in spared nerve injury (SNI)-induced NP in male and female mice. Mechanical sensitivity was evaluated with the von Frey test, while general well-being and anxiety-like behavior were assessed with burrowing and light/dark box tests. Spinal microglial activation and cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10, as well as macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) were evaluated by immunofluorescence and multiplex immunoassay, respectively. NOX2i treatment reduced SNI-induced mechanical hypersensitivity and early SNI-induced microglial activation in both sexes. SNI-females, but not males, showed a transient reduction in burrowing activity. NOX2i treatment did not improve their burrowing activity, but tendentially reduced their anxiety-like behavior. NOX2i marginally decreased IL-6 in females, and increased M-CSF in males. Our findings suggest that NOX2-selective inhibition may be a potential therapeutic strategy for NP in both male and female individuals, with particular interest in females due to its apparent favorable impact in anxiety-like behavior.
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Hogri R, Baltov B, Drdla-Schutting R, Mussetto V, Raphael H, Trofimova L, Sandkühler J. Probing pain aversion in rats with the "Heat Escape Threshold" paradigm. Mol Pain 2023; 19:17448069231156657. [PMID: 36717755 PMCID: PMC9996743 DOI: 10.1177/17448069231156657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The aversive aspect of pain constitutes a major burden faced by pain patients. This has been recognized by the pain research community, leading to the development of novel methods focusing on affective-motivational behaviour in pain model animals. The most common tests used to assess pain aversion in animals require cognitive processes, such as associative learning, complicating the interpretation of results. To overcome this issue, studies in recent years have utilized unconditioned escape as a measure of aversion. However, the vast majority of these studies quantify jumping - a common escape behaviour in mice, but not in adult rats, thus limiting its use. Here, we present the "Heat Escape Threshold" (HET) paradigm for assessing heat aversion in rats. We demonstrate that this method can robustly and reproducibly detect the localized effects of an inflammatory pain model (intraplantar carrageenan) in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. In males, a temperature that evoked unconditioned escape following carrageenan treatment also induced real-time place avoidance (RTPA). Systemic morphine more potently alleviated carrageenan-induced heat aversion (as measured by the HET and RTPA methods), as compared to reflexive responses to heat (as measured by the Hargreaves test), supporting previous findings. Next, we examined how blocking of excitatory transmission to the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN), a key node in the ascending pain system, affects pain behaviour. Using the HET and Hargreaves tests, we show that intra-LPBN application of glutamate antagonists reverses the effects of carrageenan on both affective and reflexive pain behaviour, respectively. Finally, we employed the HET paradigm in a generalized opioid-withdrawal pain model. Withdrawal from a brief systemic administration of remifentanil resulted in a long-lasting and robust increase in heat aversion, but no change in reflexive responses to heat. Taken together, these data demonstrate the utility of the HET paradigm as a novel tool in preclinical pain research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roni Hogri
- Department of Neurophysiology,
Center for
Brain Research, Medical University of
Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bozhidar Baltov
- Department of Neurophysiology,
Center for
Brain Research, Medical University of
Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ruth Drdla-Schutting
- Department of Neurophysiology,
Center for
Brain Research, Medical University of
Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Valeria Mussetto
- Department of Neurophysiology,
Center for
Brain Research, Medical University of
Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Holzinger Raphael
- Department of Neurophysiology,
Center for
Brain Research, Medical University of
Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lidia Trofimova
- Department of Neurophysiology,
Center for
Brain Research, Medical University of
Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jürgen Sandkühler
- Department of Neurophysiology,
Center for
Brain Research, Medical University of
Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Begasse de Dhaem O, Wattiez AS, de Boer I, Pavitt S, Powers SW, Pradhan A, Gelfand AA, Nahman-Averbuch H. Bridging the gap between preclinical scientists, clinical researchers, and clinicians: From animal research to clinical practice. Headache 2023; 63:25-39. [PMID: 36633108 DOI: 10.1111/head.14441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Collaborations amongst researchers and clinicians with complementary areas of expertise enhance knowledge for everyone and can lead to new discoveries. To facilitate these interactions, shared language and a general understanding of how colleagues in different subfields of headache and headache research approach their work are needed. METHODS This narrative review focuses on research methods applied in animal studies, human studies including clinical trials, and provides an overview of clinical practice. RESULTS For animal studies, we describe concepts needed to evaluate the quality and relevance of preclinical studies. For human research, fundamental concepts of neuroimaging, quantitative sensory testing, genetic and epidemiological research methods, and clinical research methodology that are commonly used in headache research are summarized. In addition, we provide an understanding of what guides headache clinicians, and summarize the practical approach to migraine management in adults and children. CONCLUSIONS It is hoped that this review facilitates further dialogue between clinicians and researchers that will help guide future research efforts and implementation of research findings into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anne-Sophie Wattiez
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.,Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Veterans Administration Health Center, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Irene de Boer
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Sara Pavitt
- Child & Adolescent Headache Program, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Scott W Powers
- Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Center for Understanding Pediatric Pain, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Amynah Pradhan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Amy A Gelfand
- Child & Adolescent Headache Program, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Hadas Nahman-Averbuch
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Macionis V. Chronic pain and local pain in usually painless conditions including neuroma may be due to compressive proximal neural lesion. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2023; 4:1037376. [PMID: 36890855 PMCID: PMC9986610 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2023.1037376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been unexplained why chronic pain does not invariably accompany chronic pain-prone disorders. This question-driven, hypothesis-based article suggests that the reason may be varying occurrence of concomitant peripheral compressive proximal neural lesion (cPNL), e.g., radiculopathy and entrapment plexopathies. Transition of acute to chronic pain may involve development or aggravation of cPNL. Nociceptive hypersensitivity induced and/or maintained by cPNL may be responsible for all types of general chronic pain as well as for pain in isolated tissue conditions that are usually painless, e.g., neuroma, scar, and Dupuytren's fibromatosis. Compressive PNL induces focal neuroinflammation, which can maintain dorsal root ganglion neuron (DRGn) hyperexcitability (i.e., peripheral sensitization) and thus fuel central sensitization (i.e., hyperexcitability of central nociceptive pathways) and a vicious cycle of chronic pain. DRGn hyperexcitability and cPNL may reciprocally maintain each other, because cPNL can result from reflexive myospasm-induced myofascial tension, muscle weakness, and consequent muscle imbalance- and/or pain-provoked compensatory overuse. Because of pain and motor fiber damage, cPNL can worsen the causative musculoskeletal dysfunction, which further accounts for the reciprocity between the latter two factors. Sensitization increases nerve vulnerability and thus catalyzes this cycle. Because of these mechanisms and relatively greater number of neurons involved, cPNL is more likely to maintain DRGn hyperexcitability in comparison to distal neural and non-neural lesions. Compressive PNL is associated with restricted neural mobility. Intermittent (dynamic) nature of cPNL may be essential in chronic pain, because healed (i.e., fibrotic) lesions are physiologically silent and, consequently, cannot provide nociceptive input. Not all patients may be equally susceptible to develop cPNL, because occurrence of cPNL may vary as vary patients' predisposition to musculoskeletal impairment. Sensitization is accompanied by pressure pain threshold decrease and consequent mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia, which can cause unusual local pain via natural pressure exerted by space occupying lesions or by their examination. Worsening of local pain is similarly explainable. Neuroma pain may be due to cPNL-induced axonal mechanical sensitivity and hypersensitivity of the nociceptive nervi nervorum of the nerve trunk and its stump. Intermittence and symptomatic complexity of cPNL may be the cause of frequent misdiagnosis of chronic pain.
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Burand Jr. AJ, Waltz TB, Manis AD, Hodges MR, Stucky CL. HomeCageScan analysis reveals ongoing pain in Fabry rats. NEUROBIOLOGY OF PAIN (CAMBRIDGE, MASS.) 2023; 13:100113. [PMID: 36660199 PMCID: PMC9843259 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynpai.2022.100113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
HomeCageScan (HCS) is an automated behavioral scoring system that can be used to classify and quantify rodent behaviors in the home cage. Although HCS has been used for a number of inducible models of severe pain, little has been done to test this system in clinically relevant genetic disease models associated with chronic pain such as Fabry disease. Rats with Fabry disease exhibit mechanical hypersensitivity, however, it is unclear if these rodents also exhibit ongoing non-evoked pain. Therefore, we analyzed HCS data from male and female rats with Fabry disease. Using hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis, we found both sex and genotype differences in several home cage behaviors. Additionally, we used hierarchical clustering to derive behavioral clusters in an unbiased manner. Analysis of these behavioral clusters showed that primarily female Fabry animals moved less, spent less time caring for themselves (e.g., less time spent grooming and drinking), explored less, and slept more; changes that are similar to lifestyle changes observed in patients with long lasting chronic pain. We also show that sniffing, one of the exploratory behaviors that is depressed in Fabry animals, can be partly restored with the analgesic gabapentin, suggesting that depressed sniffing may reflect ongoing pain. Therefore, this approach to HCS data analysis can be used to assess drug efficacy in Fabry disease and potentially other genetic and inducible rodent models associated with persistent pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J. Burand Jr.
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States
| | - Tyler B. Waltz
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States
| | - Anna D. Manis
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States
| | - Matthew R. Hodges
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States
- Neuroscience Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States
| | - Cheryl L. Stucky
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States
- Neuroscience Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States
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Lopas LA, Shen H, Zhang N, Jang Y, Tawfik VL, Goodman SB, Natoli RM. Clinical Assessments of Fracture Healing and Basic Science Correlates: Is There Room for Convergence? Curr Osteoporos Rep 2022; 21:216-227. [PMID: 36534307 DOI: 10.1007/s11914-022-00770-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The purpose of this review is to summarize the clinical and basic science methods used to assess fracture healing and propose a framework to improve the translational possibilities. RECENT FINDINGS Mainstays of fracture healing assessment include clinical examination, various imaging modalities, and assessment of function. Pre-clinical studies have yielded insight into biomechanical progression as well as the genetic, molecular, and cellular processes of fracture healing. Efforts are emerging to identify early markers to predict impaired healing and possibly early intervention to alter these processes. Despite of the differences in clinical and preclinical research, opportunities exist to unify and improve the translational efforts between these arenas to develop and optimize our ability to assess and predict fracture healing, thereby improving the clinical care of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke A Lopas
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1801 N. Senate Blvd Suite 535, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| | - Huaishuang Shen
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Yohan Jang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1801 N. Senate Blvd Suite 535, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Vivianne L Tawfik
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Stuart B Goodman
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Roman M Natoli
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1801 N. Senate Blvd Suite 535, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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Zhang Z, Roberson DP, Kotoda M, Boivin B, Bohnslav JP, González-Cano R, Yarmolinsky DA, Turnes BL, Wimalasena NK, Neufeld SQ, Barrett LB, Quintão NLM, Fattori V, Taub DG, Wiltschko AB, Andrews NA, Harvey CD, Datta SR, Woolf CJ. Automated preclinical detection of mechanical pain hypersensitivity and analgesia. Pain 2022; 163:2326-2336. [PMID: 35543646 PMCID: PMC9649838 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The lack of sensitive and robust behavioral assessments of pain in preclinical models has been a major limitation for both pain research and the development of novel analgesics. Here, we demonstrate a novel data acquisition and analysis platform that provides automated, quantitative, and objective measures of naturalistic rodent behavior in an observer-independent and unbiased fashion. The technology records freely behaving mice, in the dark, over extended periods for continuous acquisition of 2 parallel video data streams: (1) near-infrared frustrated total internal reflection for detecting the degree, force, and timing of surface contact and (2) simultaneous ongoing video graphing of whole-body pose. Using machine vision and machine learning, we automatically extract and quantify behavioral features from these data to reveal moment-by-moment changes that capture the internal pain state of rodents in multiple pain models. We show that these voluntary pain-related behaviors are reversible by analgesics and that analgesia can be automatically and objectively differentiated from sedation. Finally, we used this approach to generate a paw luminance ratio measure that is sensitive in capturing dynamic mechanical hypersensitivity over a period and scalable for high-throughput preclinical analgesic efficacy assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihe Zhang
- Boston Children's Hospital, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston, MA, United States. D.P. Roberson is now with Blackbox Bio, LLC, Dallas, TX, United States. R. González-Cano is now with the Department of Pharmacology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. N.K. Wimalasena is now with Decibel Therapeutics, Boston, MA, United States. N.L.M. Quintão is now with the Postgraduate Programe in Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí (UNIVALI), Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil. V. Fattori is now with the Laboratory of Pain, Inflammation, Neuropathy, and Cancer, Department of Pathology, Londrina State University, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. A.B. Wiltschko is now with the Google Research, Brain Team, Cambridge, MA, United States. N.A. Andrews is now with the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - David P. Roberson
- Boston Children's Hospital, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston, MA, United States. D.P. Roberson is now with Blackbox Bio, LLC, Dallas, TX, United States. R. González-Cano is now with the Department of Pharmacology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. N.K. Wimalasena is now with Decibel Therapeutics, Boston, MA, United States. N.L.M. Quintão is now with the Postgraduate Programe in Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí (UNIVALI), Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil. V. Fattori is now with the Laboratory of Pain, Inflammation, Neuropathy, and Cancer, Department of Pathology, Londrina State University, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. A.B. Wiltschko is now with the Google Research, Brain Team, Cambridge, MA, United States. N.A. Andrews is now with the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Masakazu Kotoda
- Boston Children's Hospital, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston, MA, United States. D.P. Roberson is now with Blackbox Bio, LLC, Dallas, TX, United States. R. González-Cano is now with the Department of Pharmacology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. N.K. Wimalasena is now with Decibel Therapeutics, Boston, MA, United States. N.L.M. Quintão is now with the Postgraduate Programe in Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí (UNIVALI), Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil. V. Fattori is now with the Laboratory of Pain, Inflammation, Neuropathy, and Cancer, Department of Pathology, Londrina State University, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. A.B. Wiltschko is now with the Google Research, Brain Team, Cambridge, MA, United States. N.A. Andrews is now with the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Bruno Boivin
- Boston Children's Hospital, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston, MA, United States. D.P. Roberson is now with Blackbox Bio, LLC, Dallas, TX, United States. R. González-Cano is now with the Department of Pharmacology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. N.K. Wimalasena is now with Decibel Therapeutics, Boston, MA, United States. N.L.M. Quintão is now with the Postgraduate Programe in Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí (UNIVALI), Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil. V. Fattori is now with the Laboratory of Pain, Inflammation, Neuropathy, and Cancer, Department of Pathology, Londrina State University, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. A.B. Wiltschko is now with the Google Research, Brain Team, Cambridge, MA, United States. N.A. Andrews is now with the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - James P. Bohnslav
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Rafael González-Cano
- Boston Children's Hospital, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston, MA, United States. D.P. Roberson is now with Blackbox Bio, LLC, Dallas, TX, United States. R. González-Cano is now with the Department of Pharmacology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. N.K. Wimalasena is now with Decibel Therapeutics, Boston, MA, United States. N.L.M. Quintão is now with the Postgraduate Programe in Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí (UNIVALI), Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil. V. Fattori is now with the Laboratory of Pain, Inflammation, Neuropathy, and Cancer, Department of Pathology, Londrina State University, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. A.B. Wiltschko is now with the Google Research, Brain Team, Cambridge, MA, United States. N.A. Andrews is now with the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - David A. Yarmolinsky
- Boston Children's Hospital, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston, MA, United States. D.P. Roberson is now with Blackbox Bio, LLC, Dallas, TX, United States. R. González-Cano is now with the Department of Pharmacology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. N.K. Wimalasena is now with Decibel Therapeutics, Boston, MA, United States. N.L.M. Quintão is now with the Postgraduate Programe in Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí (UNIVALI), Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil. V. Fattori is now with the Laboratory of Pain, Inflammation, Neuropathy, and Cancer, Department of Pathology, Londrina State University, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. A.B. Wiltschko is now with the Google Research, Brain Team, Cambridge, MA, United States. N.A. Andrews is now with the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Bruna Lenfers Turnes
- Boston Children's Hospital, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston, MA, United States. D.P. Roberson is now with Blackbox Bio, LLC, Dallas, TX, United States. R. González-Cano is now with the Department of Pharmacology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. N.K. Wimalasena is now with Decibel Therapeutics, Boston, MA, United States. N.L.M. Quintão is now with the Postgraduate Programe in Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí (UNIVALI), Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil. V. Fattori is now with the Laboratory of Pain, Inflammation, Neuropathy, and Cancer, Department of Pathology, Londrina State University, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. A.B. Wiltschko is now with the Google Research, Brain Team, Cambridge, MA, United States. N.A. Andrews is now with the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Nivanthika K. Wimalasena
- Boston Children's Hospital, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston, MA, United States. D.P. Roberson is now with Blackbox Bio, LLC, Dallas, TX, United States. R. González-Cano is now with the Department of Pharmacology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. N.K. Wimalasena is now with Decibel Therapeutics, Boston, MA, United States. N.L.M. Quintão is now with the Postgraduate Programe in Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí (UNIVALI), Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil. V. Fattori is now with the Laboratory of Pain, Inflammation, Neuropathy, and Cancer, Department of Pathology, Londrina State University, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. A.B. Wiltschko is now with the Google Research, Brain Team, Cambridge, MA, United States. N.A. Andrews is now with the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Shay Q. Neufeld
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lee B. Barrett
- Boston Children's Hospital, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston, MA, United States. D.P. Roberson is now with Blackbox Bio, LLC, Dallas, TX, United States. R. González-Cano is now with the Department of Pharmacology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. N.K. Wimalasena is now with Decibel Therapeutics, Boston, MA, United States. N.L.M. Quintão is now with the Postgraduate Programe in Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí (UNIVALI), Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil. V. Fattori is now with the Laboratory of Pain, Inflammation, Neuropathy, and Cancer, Department of Pathology, Londrina State University, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. A.B. Wiltschko is now with the Google Research, Brain Team, Cambridge, MA, United States. N.A. Andrews is now with the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Nara L. M. Quintão
- Boston Children's Hospital, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston, MA, United States. D.P. Roberson is now with Blackbox Bio, LLC, Dallas, TX, United States. R. González-Cano is now with the Department of Pharmacology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. N.K. Wimalasena is now with Decibel Therapeutics, Boston, MA, United States. N.L.M. Quintão is now with the Postgraduate Programe in Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí (UNIVALI), Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil. V. Fattori is now with the Laboratory of Pain, Inflammation, Neuropathy, and Cancer, Department of Pathology, Londrina State University, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. A.B. Wiltschko is now with the Google Research, Brain Team, Cambridge, MA, United States. N.A. Andrews is now with the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Victor Fattori
- Boston Children's Hospital, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston, MA, United States. D.P. Roberson is now with Blackbox Bio, LLC, Dallas, TX, United States. R. González-Cano is now with the Department of Pharmacology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. N.K. Wimalasena is now with Decibel Therapeutics, Boston, MA, United States. N.L.M. Quintão is now with the Postgraduate Programe in Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí (UNIVALI), Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil. V. Fattori is now with the Laboratory of Pain, Inflammation, Neuropathy, and Cancer, Department of Pathology, Londrina State University, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. A.B. Wiltschko is now with the Google Research, Brain Team, Cambridge, MA, United States. N.A. Andrews is now with the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Daniel G. Taub
- Boston Children's Hospital, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston, MA, United States. D.P. Roberson is now with Blackbox Bio, LLC, Dallas, TX, United States. R. González-Cano is now with the Department of Pharmacology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. N.K. Wimalasena is now with Decibel Therapeutics, Boston, MA, United States. N.L.M. Quintão is now with the Postgraduate Programe in Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí (UNIVALI), Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil. V. Fattori is now with the Laboratory of Pain, Inflammation, Neuropathy, and Cancer, Department of Pathology, Londrina State University, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. A.B. Wiltschko is now with the Google Research, Brain Team, Cambridge, MA, United States. N.A. Andrews is now with the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Nick A. Andrews
- Boston Children's Hospital, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston, MA, United States. D.P. Roberson is now with Blackbox Bio, LLC, Dallas, TX, United States. R. González-Cano is now with the Department of Pharmacology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. N.K. Wimalasena is now with Decibel Therapeutics, Boston, MA, United States. N.L.M. Quintão is now with the Postgraduate Programe in Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí (UNIVALI), Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil. V. Fattori is now with the Laboratory of Pain, Inflammation, Neuropathy, and Cancer, Department of Pathology, Londrina State University, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. A.B. Wiltschko is now with the Google Research, Brain Team, Cambridge, MA, United States. N.A. Andrews is now with the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | | | - Clifford J. Woolf
- Boston Children's Hospital, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston, MA, United States. D.P. Roberson is now with Blackbox Bio, LLC, Dallas, TX, United States. R. González-Cano is now with the Department of Pharmacology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. N.K. Wimalasena is now with Decibel Therapeutics, Boston, MA, United States. N.L.M. Quintão is now with the Postgraduate Programe in Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí (UNIVALI), Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil. V. Fattori is now with the Laboratory of Pain, Inflammation, Neuropathy, and Cancer, Department of Pathology, Londrina State University, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. A.B. Wiltschko is now with the Google Research, Brain Team, Cambridge, MA, United States. N.A. Andrews is now with the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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Eisenach JC, Rice AS. Improving Preclinical Development of Novel Interventions to Treat Pain: Insanity Is Doing the Same Thing Over and Over and Expecting Different Results. Anesth Analg 2022; 135:1128-1136. [PMID: 36384008 PMCID: PMC9976707 DOI: 10.1213/ane.0000000000006249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Preclinical pain research has applied state-of-the-art methods over the past 40 years to describe, characterize, and image molecules, cells, and circuits in rodents to understand the pathophysiology of chronic pain. Despite generating a plethora of novel analgesic targets, pharmaceuticals for chronic pain treatment remain largely limited to the same 6 drug classes as present 40 years ago. It is possible that 40 years of effort has brought us to the verge of a paradigm shift and an explosion of novel analgesic drug classes with remarkable safety, efficacy, and tolerability. We think it more likely that advances will not occur until we follow the description of exciting discoveries with hypothesis testing using clinically relevant preclinical animal models and ethologically relevant outcome measures, which better reflect the clinical characteristics of chronic pain syndromes. Furthermore, to be valuable, experiments using such models must be conducted to the highest levels of internal validity, rigor, and reproducibility. Efforts by funders, most recently the Helping End Addiction Long-Term by the National Institutes of Health, aim to address some of these challenges and enhance communication and collaboration between preclinical and clinical investigators. However, the greater problem is a culture that emphasizes novelty and number of publications over scientific rigor and robust replication leading to a high likelihood of false-positive results. A path forward is provided by the evolution of clinical research beginning 50 years ago that resulted in methods to reduce bias and enhance transparency and ethics of reporting, moving from case reports to randomized controlled trials to innovative study designs with a focus on rigor, generalizability, and reproducibility. We argue that culture changed in clinical science in part because powerful forces outside the peer review system, especially from federal regulators that approve new drugs and human studies committees that addressed ethical failures of earlier research, mandated change in studies within their purview. Whether an external force will affect change in peclinical pain research is unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C. Eisenach
- Department of Anesthesiology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Andrew S.C. Rice
- Pain Research, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
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