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Wang Q, Caraballo SG, Rychkov G, McGovern AE, Mazzone SB, Brierley SM, Harrington AM. Comparative localization of colorectal sensory afferent central projections in the mouse spinal cord dorsal horn and caudal medulla dorsal vagal complex. J Comp Neurol 2024; 532:e25546. [PMID: 37837642 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25546] [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: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
The distal colon and rectum (colorectum) are innervated by spinal and vagal afferent pathways. The central circuits into which vagal and spinal afferents relay colorectal nociceptive information remain to be comparatively assessed. To address this, regional colorectal retrograde tracing and colorectal distension (CRD)-evoked neuronal activation were used to compare the circuits within the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) and dorsal horn (thoracolumbar [TL] and lumbosacral [LS] spinal levels) into which vagal and spinal colorectal afferents project. Vagal afferent projections were observed in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), area postrema (AP), and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV), labeled from the rostral colorectum. In the NTS, projections were opposed to catecholamine and pontine parabrachial nuclei (PbN)-projecting neurons. Spinal afferent projections were labeled from rostral through to caudal aspects of the colorectum. In the dorsal horn, the number of neurons activated by CRD was linked to pressure intensity, unlike in the DVC. In the NTS, 13% ± 0.6% of CRD-activated neurons projected to the PbN. In the dorsal horn, at the TL spinal level, afferent input was associated with PbN-projecting neurons in lamina I (LI), with 63% ± 3.15% of CRD-activated neurons in LI projecting to the PbN. On the other hand, at the LS spinal level, only 18% ± 0.6% of CRD-activated neurons in LI projected to the PbN. The collective data identify differences in the central neuroanatomy that support the disparate roles of vagal and spinal afferent signaling in the facilitation and modulation of colorectal nociceptive responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- QingQing Wang
- Visceral Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Sonia Garcia Caraballo
- Visceral Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Grigori Rychkov
- Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Alice E McGovern
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stuart B Mazzone
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stuart M Brierley
- Visceral Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Andrea M Harrington
- Visceral Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Carta G, Fornasari BE, Fregnan F, Ronchi G, De Zanet S, Muratori L, Nato G, Fogli M, Gambarotta G, Geuna S, Raimondo S. Neurodynamic Treatment Promotes Mechanical Pain Modulation in Sensory Neurons and Nerve Regeneration in Rats. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10061296. [PMID: 35740318 PMCID: PMC9220043 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10061296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Somatic nerve injuries are a rising problem leading to disability associated with neuropathic pain commonly reported as mechanical allodynia (MA) and hyperalgesia. These symptoms are strongly dependent on specific processes in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Neurodynamic treatment (NDT), consisting of selective uniaxial nerve repeated tension protocols, effectively reduces pain and disability in neuropathic pain patients even though the biological mechanisms remain poorly characterized. We aimed to define, both in vivo and ex vivo, how NDT could promote nerve regeneration and modulate some processes in the DRG linked to MA and hyperalgesia. Methods: We examined in Wistar rats, after unilateral median and ulnar nerve crush, the therapeutic effects of NDT and the possible protective effects of NDT administered for 10 days before the injury. We adopted an ex vivo model of DRG organotypic explant subjected to NDT to explore the selective effects on DRG cells. Results: Behavioural tests, morphological and morphometrical analyses, and gene and protein expression analyses were performed, and these tests revealed that NDT promotes nerve regeneration processes, speeds up sensory motor recovery, and modulates mechanical pain by affecting, in the DRG, the expression of TACAN, a mechanosensitive receptor shared between humans and rats responsible for MA and hyperalgesia. The ex vivo experiments have shown that NDT increases neurite regrowth and confirmed the modulation of TACAN. Conclusions: The results obtained in this study on the biological and molecular mechanisms induced by NDT will allow the exploration, in future clinical trials, of its efficacy in different conditions of neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Carta
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.C.); (B.E.F.); (G.R.); (S.D.Z.); (L.M.); (G.G.); (S.G.); (S.R.)
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.N.); (M.F.)
- Department of Rehabilitation, ASST (Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriali) Nord Milano, Sesto San Giovanni Hospital, Sesto San Giovanni, 20099 Milano, Italy
| | - Benedetta Elena Fornasari
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.C.); (B.E.F.); (G.R.); (S.D.Z.); (L.M.); (G.G.); (S.G.); (S.R.)
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.N.); (M.F.)
| | - Federica Fregnan
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.C.); (B.E.F.); (G.R.); (S.D.Z.); (L.M.); (G.G.); (S.G.); (S.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-(0)1-1670-5433; Fax: +39-(0)1-1903-8639
| | - Giulia Ronchi
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.C.); (B.E.F.); (G.R.); (S.D.Z.); (L.M.); (G.G.); (S.G.); (S.R.)
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.N.); (M.F.)
| | - Stefano De Zanet
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.C.); (B.E.F.); (G.R.); (S.D.Z.); (L.M.); (G.G.); (S.G.); (S.R.)
| | - Luisa Muratori
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.C.); (B.E.F.); (G.R.); (S.D.Z.); (L.M.); (G.G.); (S.G.); (S.R.)
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.N.); (M.F.)
| | - Giulia Nato
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.N.); (M.F.)
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy
| | - Marco Fogli
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.N.); (M.F.)
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy
| | - Giovanna Gambarotta
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.C.); (B.E.F.); (G.R.); (S.D.Z.); (L.M.); (G.G.); (S.G.); (S.R.)
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.N.); (M.F.)
| | - Stefano Geuna
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.C.); (B.E.F.); (G.R.); (S.D.Z.); (L.M.); (G.G.); (S.G.); (S.R.)
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.N.); (M.F.)
| | - Stefania Raimondo
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.C.); (B.E.F.); (G.R.); (S.D.Z.); (L.M.); (G.G.); (S.G.); (S.R.)
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.N.); (M.F.)
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Castro J, Maddern J, Grundy L, Manavis J, Harrington AM, Schober G, Brierley SM. A mouse model of endometriosis that displays vaginal, colon, cutaneous, and bladder sensory comorbidities. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21430. [PMID: 33749885 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202002441r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Endometriosis is a painful inflammatory disorder affecting ~10% of women of reproductive age. Although chronic pelvic pain (CPP) remains the main symptom of endometriosis patients, adequate treatments for CPP are lacking. Animal models that recapitulate the features and symptoms experienced by women with endometriosis are essential for investigating the etiology of endometriosis, as well as developing new treatments. In this study, we used an autologous mouse model of endometriosis to examine a combination of disease features and symptoms including: a 10 week time course of endometriotic lesion development; the chronic inflammatory environment and development of neuroangiogenesis within lesions; sensory hypersensitivity and altered pain responses to vaginal, colon, bladder, and skin stimulation in conscious animals; and spontaneous animal behavior. We found significant increases in lesion size from week 6 posttransplant. Lesions displayed endometrial glands, stroma, and underwent neuroangiogenesis. Additionally, peritoneal fluid of mice with endometriosis contained known inflammatory mediators and angiogenic factors. Compared to Sham, mice with endometriosis displayed: enhanced sensitivity to pain evoked by (i) vaginal and (ii) colorectal distension, (iii) altered bladder function and increased sensitivity to cutaneous (iv) thermal and (v) mechanical stimuli. The development of endometriosis had no effect on spontaneous behavior. This study describes a comprehensive characterization of a mouse model of endometriosis, recapitulating the clinical features and symptoms experienced by women with endometriosis. Moreover, it delivers the groundwork to investigate the etiology of endometriosis and provides a platform for the development of therapeutical interventions to manage endometriosis-associated CPP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Castro
- Visceral Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia.,Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Jessica Maddern
- Visceral Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia.,Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Luke Grundy
- Visceral Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia.,Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Jim Manavis
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Andrea M Harrington
- Visceral Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia.,Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Gudrun Schober
- Visceral Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia.,Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Stuart M Brierley
- Visceral Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia.,Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Discipline of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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Tetrodotoxin: A New Strategy to Treat Visceral Pain? Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13070496. [PMID: 34357968 PMCID: PMC8310099 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13070496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral pain is one of the most common symptoms associated with functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Although the origin of these symptoms has not been clearly defined, the implication of both the central and peripheral nervous systems in visceral hypersensitivity is well established. The role of several pathways in visceral nociception has been explored, as well as the influence of specific receptors on afferent neurons, such as voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs). VGSCs initiate action potentials and dysfunction of these channels has recently been associated with painful GI conditions. Current treatments for visceral pain generally involve opioid based drugs, which are associated with important side-effects and a loss of effectiveness or tolerance. Hence, efforts have been intensified to find new, more effective and longer-lasting therapies. The implication of VGSCs in visceral hypersensitivity has drawn attention to tetrodotoxin (TTX), a relatively selective sodium channel blocker, as a possible and promising molecule to treat visceral pain and related diseases. As such, here we will review the latest information regarding this toxin that is relevant to the treatment of visceral pain and the possible advantages that it may offer relative to other treatments, alone or in combination.
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Maddern J, Grundy L, Castro J, Brierley SM. Pain in Endometriosis. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:590823. [PMID: 33132854 PMCID: PMC7573391 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.590823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is a chronic and debilitating condition affecting ∼10% of women. Endometriosis is characterized by infertility and chronic pelvic pain, yet treatment options remain limited. In many respects this is related to an underlying lack of knowledge of the etiology and mechanisms contributing to endometriosis-induced pain. Whilst many studies focus on retrograde menstruation, and the formation and development of lesions in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, the mechanisms underlying the associated pain remain poorly described. Here we review the recent clinical and experimental evidence of the mechanisms contributing to chronic pain in endometriosis. This includes the roles of inflammation, neurogenic inflammation, neuroangiogenesis, peripheral sensitization and central sensitization. As endometriosis patients are also known to have co-morbidities such as irritable bowel syndrome and overactive bladder syndrome, we highlight how common nerve pathways innervating the colon, bladder and female reproductive tract can contribute to co-morbidity via cross-organ sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Maddern
- Visceral Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Luke Grundy
- Visceral Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Joel Castro
- Visceral Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Stuart M. Brierley
- Visceral Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Discipline of Medicine, University of Adelaide, North Terrace Campus, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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