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Christensen SL, Levy D. Meningeal brain borders and migraine headache genesis. Trends Neurosci 2024:S0166-2236(24)00155-3. [PMID: 39304416 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2024.08.012] [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: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
Migraine is a highly prevalent and disabling pain disorder that affects >1 billion people worldwide. One central hypothesis points to the cranial meninges as a key site underlying migraine headache genesis through complex interplay between meningeal sensory nerves, blood vessels, and adjacent immune cells. How these interactions might generate migraine headaches remains incompletely understood and a subject of much debate. In this review we discuss clinical and preclinical evidence supporting the concept that meningeal sterile inflammation, involving neurovascular and neuroimmune interactions, underlies migraine headache genesis. We examine downstream signaling pathways implicated in the development of migraine pain in response to exogenous events such as infusing migraine-triggering chemical substances. We further discuss cortex-to-meninges signaling pathways that could underlie migraine pain in response to endogenous events, such as cortical spreading depolarization (CSD), and explore future directions for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Louise Christensen
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark; Translational Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Dan Levy
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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2
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Pola P, Frezza A, Gavioli EC, Calò G, Ruzza C. Effects of Stress Exposure to Pain Perception in Pre-Clinical Studies: Focus on the Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ-NOP Receptor System. Brain Sci 2024; 14:936. [PMID: 39335430 PMCID: PMC11431041 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14090936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2024] [Revised: 09/16/2024] [Accepted: 09/17/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Exposure to physical and psychological stress modulates pain transmission in a dual manner. Stress-induced analgesia (SIA) refers to the reduction in pain sensitivity that can occur in response to acute stress. On the contrary, chronic stress exposure may lead to a phenomenon named stress-induced hyperalgesia (SIH). SIH is a clinically relevant phenomenon since it has been well documented that physical and psychological stress exacerbates pain in patients with several chronic pain syndromes, including migraine. The availability of animal models of SIA and SIH is of high importance for understanding the biological mechanisms leading to these phenomena and for the identification of pharmacological targets useful to alleviate the burden of stress-exacerbated chronic pain. Among these targets, the nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ)-N/OFQ peptide (NOP) receptor system has been identified as a key modulator of both pain transmission and stress susceptibility. This review describes first the experimental approaches to induce SIA and SIH in rodents. The second part of the manuscript summarizes the scientific evidence that suggests the N/OFQ-NOP receptor system as a player in the stress-pain interaction and candidates NOP antagonists as useful drugs to mitigate the detrimental effects of stress exposure on pain perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Pola
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alessia Frezza
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Elaine C Gavioli
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-900, Brazil
| | - Girolamo Calò
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Chiara Ruzza
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- LTTA Laboratory for Advanced Therapies, Technopole of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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Li Y, Uhelski ML, North RY, Mwirigi JM, Tatsui CE, McDonough KE, Cata JP, Corrales G, Dussor G, Price TJ, Dougherty PM. Tomivosertib reduces ectopic activity in dorsal root ganglion neurons from patients with radiculopathy. Brain 2024; 147:2991-2997. [PMID: 39046204 PMCID: PMC11370786 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae178] [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] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Spontaneous activity in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons is a key driver of neuropathic pain in patients suffering from this largely untreated disease. While many intracellular signalling mechanisms have been examined in preclinical models that drive spontaneous activity, none have been tested directly on spontaneously active human nociceptors. Using cultured DRG neurons recovered during thoracic vertebrectomy surgeries, we showed that inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase interacting kinase (MNK) with tomivosertib (eFT508, 25 nM) reversibly suppresses spontaneous activity in human sensory neurons that are likely nociceptors based on size and action potential characteristics associated with painful dermatomes within minutes of treatment. Tomivosertib treatment also decreased action potential amplitude and produced alterations in the magnitude of after hyperpolarizing currents, suggesting modification of Na+ and K+ channel activity as a consequence of drug treatment. Parallel to the effects on electrophysiology, eFT508 treatment led to a profound loss of eIF4E serine 209 phosphorylation in primary sensory neurons, a specific substrate of MNK, within 2 min of drug treatment. Our results create a compelling case for the future testing of MNK inhibitors in clinical trials for neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Megan L Uhelski
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Robert Y North
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Juliet M Mwirigi
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Claudio E Tatsui
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kathleen E McDonough
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Juan P Cata
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - German Corrales
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Greg Dussor
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Theodore J Price
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Patrick M Dougherty
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Sankaranarayanan I, Kume M, Mohammed A, Mwirigi JM, Inturi NN, Munro G, Petersen KA, Tavares-Ferreira D, Price TJ. Persistent changes in nociceptor translatomes govern hyperalgesic priming in mouse models. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.07.606891. [PMID: 39149295 PMCID: PMC11326310 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.07.606891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Hyperalgesic priming is a model system that has been widely used to understand plasticity in painful stimulus-detecting sensory neurons, called nociceptors. A key feature of this model system is that following priming, stimuli that do not normally cause hyperalgesia now readily provoke this state. We hypothesized that hyperalgesic priming occurs due to reorganization of translation of mRNA in nociceptors. To test this hypothesis, we used paclitaxel treatment as the priming stimulus and translating ribosome affinity purification (TRAP) to measure persistent changes in mRNA translation in Nav1.8+ nociceptors. TRAP sequencing revealed 161 genes with persistently altered mRNA translation in the primed state. We identified Gpr88 as upregulated and Metrn as downregulated. We confirmed a functional role for these genes, wherein a GPR88 agonist causes pain only in primed mice and established hyperalgesic priming is reversed by Meteorin. Our work demonstrates that altered nociceptor translatomes are causative in producing hyperalgesic priming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishwarya Sankaranarayanan
- Pain Neurobiology Research Group, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Advanced Pain Studies, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas
| | - Moeno Kume
- Pain Neurobiology Research Group, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Advanced Pain Studies, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas
| | - Ayaan Mohammed
- Pain Neurobiology Research Group, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Advanced Pain Studies, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas
| | - Juliet M Mwirigi
- Pain Neurobiology Research Group, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Advanced Pain Studies, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas
| | - Nikhil Nageswar Inturi
- Pain Neurobiology Research Group, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Advanced Pain Studies, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas
| | | | | | - Diana Tavares-Ferreira
- Pain Neurobiology Research Group, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Advanced Pain Studies, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas
| | - Theodore J Price
- Pain Neurobiology Research Group, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Advanced Pain Studies, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas
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David ET, Yousuf MS, Mei HR, Jain A, Krishnagiri S, Elahi H, Venkatesan R, Srikanth KD, Dussor G, Dalva MB, Price TJ. ephrin-B2 promotes nociceptive plasticity and hyperalgesic priming through EphB2-MNK-eIF4E signaling in both mice and humans. Pharmacol Res 2024; 206:107284. [PMID: 38925462 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Ephrin-B-EphB signaling can promote pain through ligand-receptor interactions between peripheral cells, like immune cells expressing ephrin-Bs, and EphB receptors expressed by DRG neurons. Previous studies have shown increased ephrin-B2 expression in peripheral tissues like synovium of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis patients, indicating the clinical significance of this signaling. The primary goal of this study was to understand how ephrin-B2 acts on mouse and human DRG neurons, which express EphB receptors, to promote pain and nociceptor plasticity. We hypothesized that ephrin-B2 would promote nociceptor plasticity and hyperalgesic priming through MNK-eIF4E signaling, a critical mechanism for nociceptive plasticity induced by growth factors, cytokines and nerve injury. Both male and female mice developed dose-dependent mechanical hypersensitivity in response to ephrin-B2, and both sexes showed hyperalgesic priming when challenged with PGE2 injection either to the paw or the cranial dura. Acute nociceptive behaviors and hyperalgesic priming were blocked in mice lacking MNK1 (Mknk1 knockout mice) and by eFT508, a specific MNK inhibitor. Sensory neuron-specific knockout of EphB2 using Pirt-Cre demonstrated that ephrin-B2 actions require this receptor. In Ca2+-imaging experiments on cultured DRG neurons, ephrin-B2 treatment enhanced Ca2+ transients in response to PGE2 and these effects were absent in DRG neurons from MNK1-/- and EphB2-PirtCre mice. In experiments on human DRG neurons, ephrin-B2 increased eIF4E phosphorylation and enhanced Ca2+ responses to PGE2 treatment, both blocked by eFT508. We conclude that ephrin-B2 acts directly on mouse and human sensory neurons to induce nociceptor plasticity via MNK-eIF4E signaling, offering new insight into how ephrin-B signaling promotes pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric T David
- University of Texas at Dallas, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Advanced Pain Studies, USA
| | - Muhammad Saad Yousuf
- University of Texas at Dallas, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Advanced Pain Studies, USA
| | - Hao-Ruei Mei
- University of Texas at Dallas, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Advanced Pain Studies, USA
| | - Ashita Jain
- University of Texas at Dallas, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Advanced Pain Studies, USA
| | - Sharada Krishnagiri
- University of Texas at Dallas, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Advanced Pain Studies, USA
| | - Hajira Elahi
- University of Texas at Dallas, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Advanced Pain Studies, USA
| | - Rupali Venkatesan
- University of Texas at Dallas, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Advanced Pain Studies, USA
| | - Kolluru D Srikanth
- Jefferson Synaptic Biology Center, Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; Tulane Brain Institute, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA; Tulane Brain Institute, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA
| | - Gregory Dussor
- University of Texas at Dallas, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Advanced Pain Studies, USA
| | - Matthew B Dalva
- Jefferson Synaptic Biology Center, Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; Tulane Brain Institute, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA; Tulane Brain Institute, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA
| | - Theodore J Price
- University of Texas at Dallas, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Advanced Pain Studies, USA.
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Son H, Zhang Y, Shannonhouse J, Gomez R, Kim YS. PACAP38/mast-cell-specific receptor axis mediates repetitive stress-induced headache in mice. J Headache Pain 2024; 25:87. [PMID: 38802819 PMCID: PMC11131290 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-024-01786-3] [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: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pain, an evolutionarily conserved warning system, lets us recognize threats and motivates us to adapt to those threats. Headache pain from migraine affects approximately 15% of the global population. However, the identity of any putative threat that migraine or headache warns us to avoid is unknown because migraine pathogenesis is poorly understood. Here, we show that a stress-induced increase in pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-38 (PACAP38), known as an initiator of allosteric load inducing unbalanced homeostasis, causes headache-like behaviour in male mice via mas-related G protein-coupled receptor B2 (MrgprB2) in mast cells. METHODS The repetitive stress model and dural injection of PACAP38 were performed to induce headache behaviours. We assessed headache behaviours using the facial von Frey test and the grimace scale in wild-type and MrgprB2-deficient mice. We further examined the activities of trigeminal ganglion neurons using in vivo Pirt-GCaMP Ca2+ imaging of intact trigeminal ganglion (TG). RESULTS Repetitive stress and dural injection of PACAP38 induced MrgprB2-dependent headache behaviours. Blood levels of PACAP38 were increased after repetitive stress. PACAP38/MrgprB2-induced mast cell degranulation sensitizes the trigeminovascular system in dura mater. Moreover, using in vivo intact TG Pirt-GCaMP Ca2+ imaging, we show that stress or/and elevation of PACAP38 sensitized the TG neurons via MrgprB2. MrgprB2-deficient mice showed no sensitization of TG neurons or mast cell activation. We found that repetitive stress and dural injection of PACAP38 induced headache behaviour through TNF-a and TRPV1 pathways. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight the PACAP38-MrgprB2 pathway as a new target for the treatment of stress-related migraine headache. Furthermore, our results pertaining to stress interoception via the MrgprB2/PACAP38 axis suggests that migraine headache warns us of stress-induced homeostatic imbalance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeonwi Son
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - John Shannonhouse
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Ruben Gomez
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Yu Shin Kim
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA.
- Programs in Integrated Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Radiological Sciences, Translational Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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Franco-Enzástiga Ú, Natarajan K, David ET, Patel K, Ravirala A, Price TJ. Vinorelbine causes a neuropathic pain-like state in mice via STING and MNK1 signaling associated with type I interferon induction. iScience 2024; 27:108808. [PMID: 38303713 PMCID: PMC10831286 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.108808] [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: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Type I interferons (IFNs) increase the excitability of dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) neurons via MNK-eIF4E signaling to promote pain sensitization in mice. Activation of stimulator of interferon response cGAMP interactor 1 (STING) signaling is pivotal for type I IFN induction. We hypothesized that vinorelbine, a chemotherapeutic and activator of STING, would cause a neuropathic pain-like state in mice via STING signaling in DRG neurons associated with IFN production. Vinorelbine caused tactile allodynia and grimacing in wild-type (WT) mice and increased p-IRF3, type I IFNs, and p-eIF4E in peripheral nerves. Supporting our hypothesis, vinorelbine failed to induce IRF3-IFNs-MNK-eIF4E in StingGt/Gt mice and, subsequently, failed to cause pain. The vinorelbine-elicited increase of p-eIF4E was not observed in Mknk1-/- (MNK1 knockout) mice in peripheral nerves consistent with the attenuated pro-nociceptive effect of vinorelbine in these mice. Our findings show that activation of STING signaling in the periphery causes a neuropathic pain-like state through type I IFN signaling to DRG nociceptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Úrzula Franco-Enzástiga
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Keerthana Natarajan
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Eric T. David
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Krish Patel
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Abhira Ravirala
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Theodore J. Price
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
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Bavencoffe AG, Lopez ER, Johnson KN, Tian J, Gorgun FM, Shen BQ, Zhu MX, Dessauer CW, Walters ET. Widespread latent hyperactivity of nociceptors outlasts enhanced avoidance behavior following incision injury. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.30.578108. [PMID: 38352319 PMCID: PMC10862851 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.30.578108] [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] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Nociceptors with somata in dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) exhibit an unusual readiness to switch from an electrically silent state to a hyperactive state of tonic, nonaccommodating, low-frequency, irregular discharge of action potentials (APs). Ongoing activity (OA) during this state is present in vivo in rats months after spinal cord injury (SCI), and has been causally linked to SCI pain. OA induced by various neuropathic conditions in rats, mice, and humans is retained in nociceptor somata after dissociation and culturing, providing a powerful tool for investigating its mechanisms and functions. An important question is whether similar nociceptor OA is induced by painful conditions other than neuropathy. The present study shows that probable nociceptors dissociated from DRGs of rats subjected to postsurgical pain (induced by plantar incision) exhibit OA. The OA was most apparent when the soma was artificially depolarized to a level within the normal range of membrane potentials where large, transient depolarizing spontaneous fluctuations (DSFs) can approach AP threshold. This latent hyperactivity persisted for at least 3 weeks, whereas behavioral indicators of affective pain - hindpaw guarding and increased avoidance of a noxious substrate in an operant conflict test - persisted for 1 week or less. An unexpected discovery was latent OA in neurons from thoracic DRGs that innervate dermatomes distant from the injured tissue. The most consistent electrophysiological alteration associated with OA was enhancement of DSFs. Potential in vivo functions of widespread, low-frequency nociceptor OA consistent with these and other findings are to amplify hyperalgesic priming and to drive anxiety-related hypervigilance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis G. Bavencoffe
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
| | - Elia R. Lopez
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
| | - Kayla N. Johnson
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
| | - Jinbin Tian
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
| | - Falih M. Gorgun
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
| | - Breanna Q. Shen
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
| | - Michael X. Zhu
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
| | - Carmen W. Dessauer
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
| | - Edgar T. Walters
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
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Li Y, Uhelski ML, North RY, Mwirigi JM, Tatsui CE, Cata JP, Corrales G, Price TJ, Dougherty PM. MNK inhibitor eFT508 (Tomivosertib) suppresses ectopic activity in human dorsal root ganglion neurons from dermatomes with radicular neuropathic pain. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.13.544811. [PMID: 37398249 PMCID: PMC10312735 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.13.544811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Spontaneous activity in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons is a key driver of neuropathic pain in preclinical models and in patients suffering from this largely untreated disease. While many intracellular signaling mechanisms have been examined in preclinical models that drive this spontaneous activity (SA), none of these have been tested directly on spontaneously active human nociceptors. Using cultured DRG neurons recovered during thoracic vertebrectomy surgeries, we show that inhibition of mitogen activated protein kinase interacting kinase (MNK) with eFT508 (25 nM) reverses SA in human sensory neurons associated with painful dermatomes. MNK inhibition in spontaneously active nociceptors decreased action potential amplitude and produced alterations in the magnitude of afterhyperpolarizing currents suggesting modification of Na+ and K+ channel activity downstream of MNK inhibition. The effects of MNK inhibition on SA took minutes to emerge and were reversible over time with eFT508 washout. MNK inhibition with eFT508 led to a profound loss of eIF4E Serine 209 phosphorylation, a specific target of the kinase, within 2 min of drug treatment, consistent with the rapid action of the drug on SA in electrophysiology experiments. Our results create a compelling case for the future testing of MNK inhibitors in clinical trials for neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA, 77030
| | - Megan L. Uhelski
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA, 77030
| | - Robert Y. North
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA, 77030
| | - Juliet M. Mwirigi
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W Campbell Rd, Richardson, Texas, 75080
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W Campbell Rd, Richardson, Texas, 75080
| | - Claudio E. Tatsui
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA, 77030
| | - Juan P. Cata
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA, 77030
| | - German Corrales
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA, 77030
| | - Theodore J. Price
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W Campbell Rd, Richardson, Texas, 75080
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W Campbell Rd, Richardson, Texas, 75080
| | - Patrick M. Dougherty
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA, 77030
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10
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Franco-Enzástiga Ú, Natarajan K, David ET, Patel KJ, Ravirala A, Price TJ. Vinorelbine causes a neuropathic pain-like state in mice via STING and MNK1 signaling associated with type I interferon induction. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.03.543579. [PMID: 37333411 PMCID: PMC10274710 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.03.543579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Type I interferons (IFNs) increase the excitability of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons via activation of MNK-eIF4E translation signaling to promote pain sensitization in mice. Activation of STING signaling is a key component of type I IFN induction. Manipulation of STING signaling is an active area of investigation in cancer and other therapeutic areas. Vinorelbine is a chemotherapeutic that activates STING and has been shown to cause pain and neuropathy in oncology clinical trials in patients. There are conflicting reports on whether STING signaling promotes or inhibits pain in mice. We hypothesized that vinorelbine would cause a neuropathic pain-like state in mice via STING and signaling pathways in DRG neurons associated with type I IFN induction. Vinorelbine (10 mg/kg, i.v.) induced tactile allodynia and grimacing in WT male and female mice and increased p-IRF3 and type I IFN protein in peripheral nerves. In support of our hypothesis, vinorelbine-mediated pain was absent in male and female StingGt/Gt mice. Vinorelbine also failed to induce IRF3 and type I IFN signaling in these mice. Since type I IFNs engage translational control via MNK1-eIF4E in DRG nociceptors, we assessed vinorelbine-mediated p-eIF4E changes. Vinorelbine increased p-eIF4E in DRG in WT animals but not in StingGt/Gt or Mknk1-/- (MNK1 KO) mice. Consistent with these biochemical findings, vinorelbine had an attenuated pro-nociceptive effect in male and female MNK1 KO mice. Our findings support the conclusion that activation of STING signaling in the peripheral nervous system causes a neuropathic pain-like state that is mediated by type I IFN signaling to DRG nociceptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Úrzula Franco-Enzástiga
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080
| | - Keerthana Natarajan
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080
| | - Eric T. David
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080
| | - Krish J. Patel
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080
| | - Abhira Ravirala
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080
| | - Theodore J. Price
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080
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Shiers S, Sahn JJ, Price TJ. MNK1 and MNK2 Expression in the Human Dorsal Root and Trigeminal Ganglion. Neuroscience 2023; 515:96-107. [PMID: 36764601 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.01.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Mitogen activated protein kinase interacting kinases (MNK) 1 and 2 are serine/threonine protein kinases that play an important role in translation of mRNAs through their phosphorylation of the RNA 5'-cap binding protein, eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF) 4E. These kinases are downstream targets for mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs), extracellular activity regulated protein kinase (ERK) and p38. MNKs have been implicated in the sensitization of peripheral nociceptors of the dorsal root and trigeminal ganglion (DRG and TG) using transgenic mouse lines and through the use of specific inhibitors of MNK1 and MNK2. While specific knockout of the Mknk1 gene suggests that it is the key isoform for regulation of nociceptor excitability and nociceptive behaviors in mice, both MKNK1 and MKNK2 genes are expressed in the DRG and TG of mice and humans based on RNA sequencing experiments. Single cell sequencing in mice suggests that Mknk1 and Mknk2 may be expressed in different populations of nociceptors. We sought to characterize mRNA expression in human DRG and TG (N = 3 ganglia for both DRG and TG) for both MNK1 and MNK2. Our results show that both genes are expressed by nearly all neurons in both human ganglia with expression in other cell types as well. Our findings provide evidence that MNK1 and MNK2 are expressed by human nociceptors of males and females and suggest that efforts to pharmacologically target MNKs for pain would likely be translatable due its conserved expression in both species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Shiers
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA
| | | | - Theodore J Price
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA.
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12
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Shiers S, Sahn JJ, Price TJ. MNK1 and MNK2 expression in the human dorsal root and trigeminal ganglion. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.04.522773. [PMID: 36711529 PMCID: PMC9881964 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.04.522773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Mitogen activated protein kinase interacting kinases (MNK) 1 and 2 are serine/threonine protein kinases that play an important role in translation of mRNAs through their phosphorylation of the RNA 5’-cap binding protein, eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF) 4E. These kinases are downstream targets for mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs), extracellular activity regulated protein kinase (ERK) and p38. MNKs have been implicated in the sensitization of peripheral nociceptors of the dorsal root and trigeminal ganglion (DRG and TG) using transgenic mouse lines and through the use of specific inhibitors of MNK1 and MNK2. While specific knockout of the Mknk1 gene suggests that it is the key isoform for regulation of nociceptor excitability and nociceptive behaviors in mice, both MKNK1 and MKNK2 genes are expressed in the DRG and TG of mice and humans based on RNA sequencing experiments. Single cell sequencing in mice suggests that Mknk1 and Mknk2 may be expressed in different populations of nociceptors. We sought to characterize mRNA expression in human DRG and TG for both MNK1 and MNK2. Our results show that both genes are expressed by nearly all neurons in both human ganglia with expression in other cell types as well. Our findings provide evidence that MNK1 and MNK2 are expressed by human nociceptors and suggest that efforts to pharmacologically target MNKs for pain would likely be translatable due its conserved expression in both species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Shiers
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas, USA
| | | | - Theodore J. Price
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas, USA
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