1
|
Neuroendocrine Mechanisms Governing Sex Differences in Hyperalgesic Priming Involve Prolactin Receptor Sensory Neuron Signaling. J Neurosci 2020; 40:7080-7090. [PMID: 32801151 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1499-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Many clinical and preclinical studies report higher prevalence and severity of chronic pain in females. We used hyperalgesic priming with interleukin 6 (IL-6) priming and PGE2 as a second stimulus as a model for pain chronicity. Intraplantar IL-6 induced hypersensitivity was similar in magnitude and duration in both males and females, while both paw and intrathecal PGE2 hypersensitivity was more persistent in females. This difference in PGE2 response was dependent on both circulating estrogen and translation regulation signaling in the spinal cord. In males, the duration of hypersensitivity was regulated by testosterone. Since the prolactin receptor (Prlr) is regulated by reproductive hormones and is female-selectively activated in sensory neurons, we evaluated whether Prlr signaling contributes to hyperalgesic priming. Using ΔPRL, a competitive Prlr antagonist, and a mouse line with ablated Prlr in the Nav1.8 sensory neuronal population, we show that Prlr in sensory neurons is necessary for the development of hyperalgesic priming in female, but not male, mice. Overall, sex-specific mechanisms in the initiation and maintenance of chronic pain are regulated by the neuroendocrine system and, specifically, sensory neuronal Prlr signaling.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Females are more likely to experience chronic pain than males, but the mechanisms that underlie this sex difference are not completely understood. Here, we demonstrate that the duration of mechanical hypersensitivity is dependent on circulating sex hormones in mice, where estrogen caused an extension of sensitivity and testosterone was responsible for a decrease in the duration of the hyperalgesic priming model of chronic pain. Additionally, we demonstrated that prolactin receptor expression in Nav1.8+ neurons was necessary for hyperalgesic priming in female, but not male, mice. Our work demonstrates a female-specific mechanism for the promotion of chronic pain involving the neuroendrocrine system and mediated by sensory neuronal prolactin receptor.
Collapse
|
2
|
Patil M, Belugin S, Mecklenburg J, Wangzhou A, Paige C, Barba-Escobedo PA, Boyd JT, Goffin V, Grattan D, Boehm U, Dussor G, Price TJ, Akopian AN. Prolactin Regulates Pain Responses via a Female-Selective Nociceptor-Specific Mechanism. iScience 2019; 20:449-465. [PMID: 31627131 PMCID: PMC6818331 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2019.09.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Many clinical and preclinical studies report an increased prevalence and severity of chronic pain among females. Here, we identify a sex-hormone-controlled target and mechanism that regulates dimorphic pain responses. Prolactin (PRL), which is involved in many physiologic functions, induces female-specific hyperalgesia. A PRL receptor (Prlr) antagonist in the hind paw or spinal cord substantially reduced hyperalgesia in inflammatory models. This effect was mimicked by sensory neuronal ablation of Prlr. Although Prlr mRNA is expressed equally in female and male peptidergic nociceptors and central terminals, Prlr protein was found only in females and PRL-induced excitability was detected only in female DRG neurons. PRL-induced excitability was reproduced in male Prlr+ neurons after prolonged treatment with estradiol but was prevented with addition of a translation inhibitor. We propose a novel mechanism for female-selective regulation of pain responses, which is mediated by Prlr signaling in sensory neurons via sex-dependent control of Prlr mRNA translation. Local or spinal PRL injection induces hyperalgesia in a female-selective manner Sensory neuron Prlr regulates tissue injury-induced pain only in females PRL regulates excitability in Prlr+ neurons depending on sex and estrogen Regulation of Prlr translation defines female-selective neuronal excitability
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mayur Patil
- Department of Endodontics, The School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA; Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University South Florida (USF), Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Sergei Belugin
- Department of Endodontics, The School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
| | - Jennifer Mecklenburg
- Department of Endodontics, The School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
| | - Andi Wangzhou
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W Campbell Road, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Candler Paige
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W Campbell Road, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Priscilla A Barba-Escobedo
- Department of Endodontics, The School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
| | - Jacob T Boyd
- Department of Endodontics, The School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA; Department of Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | | | - David Grattan
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology and Department of Anatomy, University of Otago School of Biomedical Sciences, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Ulrich Boehm
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center for Molecular Signaling (PZMS), Saarland University School of Medicine, Homburg, Germany
| | - Gregory Dussor
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W Campbell Road, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Theodore J Price
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W Campbell Road, Richardson, TX 75080, USA.
| | - Armen N Akopian
- Department of Endodontics, The School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA; Department of Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Oliveira EC, Leonelli C, Pereira OCM, Bittencourt JC, Carvalho HF. Estrogen imprinting compromises male sexual behavior and affects the number of androgen-receptor-expressing hypothalamic neurons†. Biol Reprod 2019; 100:737-744. [PMID: 30295750 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Revised: 09/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neonatal exposure to high-dose 17β-estradiol (E2) affects the morphology and physiology of sex and accessory sex organs in the long term. In this study, we examined the effects of E2 imprinting on male sexual behavior, fertility, and the number of androgen receptor (AR)-expressing cells in the hypothalamus. E2-treated males showed copulatory behavior represented by mounts and/or intromissions, demonstrating the preservation of aspects of male behavior. They had slightly increased latency for first intromission and a reduced number of ejaculations, associated with a 50% reduction in the fertility index. AR expression in the hypothalamus was assessed by RT-PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Treated rats had a significantly lower ventral prostate (VP) weight, demonstrating the efficacy of the treatment. The AR mRNA and protein content in the hypothalamus of E2-treated animals was reduced to the levels of females. AR-expressing cell counts in the ventromedial, anterior medial preoptic, paraventricular nuclei, and preoptic areas were different from control males, and similar to those of females. In conclusion, E2 imprinting resulted not only in ill-developed sexual organs, but also affected sexual behavior, resulting in a female-type hypothalamus, at least with respect to the abundance of AR mRNA and protein and the number of AR-expressing cells in important regions/tracts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elusa Cristina Oliveira
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carina Leonelli
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Oduvaldo C M Pereira
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jackson C Bittencourt
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Hernandes F Carvalho
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Barbosa GO, Cervigne NK, Carvalho HF, Augusto TM. Heparanase 1 involvement in prostate physiopathology. Cell Biol Int 2017; 41:1194-1202. [DOI: 10.1002/cbin.10748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme O. Barbosa
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology; State University of Campinas; Campinas Sao Paulo Brazil
| | - Nilva K. Cervigne
- Faculty of Medicine of Jundiai; Department of Morphology and Basic Pathology; Jundiai Sao Paulo Brazil
| | - Hernandes F. Carvalho
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology; State University of Campinas; Campinas Sao Paulo Brazil
| | - Taize M. Augusto
- Faculty of Medicine of Jundiai; Department of Morphology and Basic Pathology; Jundiai Sao Paulo Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Campos SG, Gonçalves BF, Scarano WR, Góes RM, Taboga SR. Phenotypic and metabolic aspects of prostatic epithelial cells in aged gerbils after antisteroidal therapy: turnover in the state of chromatin condensation and androgen-independent cell replacement. Acta Histochem 2014; 116:204-13. [PMID: 23942056 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2013.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2013] [Revised: 07/02/2013] [Accepted: 07/03/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The gerbil is a rodent considered a good model for studies of prostatic morphophysiology under different experimental conditions. Studies involving castration and steroidal blockers of aged gerbils showed that the glandular epithelium persists after long-term therapy, preventing the organ atrophy. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the phenotypic characteristics and behavior of prostatic epithelial cells that remained after different periods of hormone ablation in aged gerbils. The identification of elements that influenced the survival of this cell type was performed by morphometric, nuclear phenotypes, ultrastructural and immune histochemical analysis. The most significant responses to treatment, by analyzing morphometric features, were observed during the first three time points (day 1, day 3, and day 7), after which there appeared to be an adjustment of the gland to the hormone ablation. All treatments led to changes in the state of chromatin condensation, DNA methylation pattern and phenotypic changes indicated cell senescence. Additionally, an increase in the basal cells seemed to guarantee self-renewal properties to the epithelium. These data indicate that changes occur at many levels, including gene expression and nuclear architecture in the epithelial cells, when aging and steroidal blockade are associated. These aspects are important when considering castration-resistant prostate cancer, a malignant tumor posing difficult therapeutic intervention.
Collapse
|
6
|
Hübner S, Efthymiadis A. Recent progress in histochemistry and cell biology. Histochem Cell Biol 2012; 137:403-57. [PMID: 22366957 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-012-0933-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/06/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Studies published in Histochemistry and Cell Biology in the year 2011 represent once more a manifest of established and newly sophisticated techniques being exploited to put tissue- and cell type-specific molecules into a functional context. The review is therefore the Histochemistry and Cell Biology's yearly intention to provide interested readers appropriate summaries of investigations touching the areas of tissue biology, developmental biology, the biology of the immune system, stem cell research, the biology of subcellular compartments, in order to put the message of such studies into natural scientific-/human- and also pathological-relevant correlations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Hübner
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Augusto TM, Rosa-Ribeiro R, Carvalho HF. Neonatal exposure to high doses of 17β-estradiol results in inhibition of heparanase-1 expression in the adult prostate. Histochem Cell Biol 2011; 136:609-15. [PMID: 21892627 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-011-0860-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/20/2011] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Heparanase-1 (HPSE-1) is an endoglycosidase that cleaves heparan sulfate. The physiological functions of HPSE-1 include embryo development, hair growth, wound healing, tumor growth, angiogenesis, metastasis, and inflammation. HPSE-1 expression was found to increase temporarily in the rat ventral prostate (VP) after castration. The promoter region of the Hpse-1 gene has estrogen-responsive elements, suggesting that the gene is regulated by estrogens. In this study, we investigated the expression of HPSE-1 in the VP of 90-day-old rats after neonatal exposure to a high dose of 17β-estradiol. HPSE-1 was not found by immunohistochemistry in the epithelium of estrogenized animals. To determine whether inhibition of Hpse-1 expression in the epithelium was due to pre- or post-transcriptional regulation, epithelial cells were isolated by centrifugation in Percoll gradient and the presence of Hpse-1 mRNA was investigated by RT-PCR. Hpse-1 mRNA was not detected in the estrogenized animals. Considering that Hpse-1 transcription could be inhibited by DNA methylation, we used the methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme HpaII and PCR to show that a single CCGG site at position +185 was more frequently methylated in the epithelium of estrogenized than in control animals. Immunohistochemistry for 5-methylcytidine revealed that the epithelial cell nuclei in estrogenized animals were heavily methylated. These results suggest that Hpse-1 expression was blocked in the epithelial cells of the VP, by estrogen imprinting by a pre-transcriptional mechanism involving DNA methylation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taize M Augusto
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology, Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biology State University of Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | | | | |
Collapse
|