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Vaughan CW. Preface to the special issue "Pain". J Neurochem 2024. [PMID: 38991093 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16175] [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: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
This preface introduces the Journal of Neurochemistry Special Issue on pain research. While acute pain provides important sensory information, which aids in the protection of an organism, it can in some cases transition into a chronic state. Unfortunately, chronic pain is a highly disabling state characterised by intense and abnormal pain sensations, which are exacerbated by problematic psychosocial disturbances that are poorly treated by current drugs. This issue includes several reviews that address current issues spanning basic to clinical research on a range of pain syndromes. Also included is a collection of basic research articles investigating important aspects of pain signalling through to whole body aspects of pain integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher W Vaughan
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Pain Management Research Institute, Kolling Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Lu L, Ye J, Yi D, Qi T, Luo T, Wu S, Yang L, Li L, Zhang H, Chen D. Runx2 Suppresses Astrocyte Activation and Astroglial Scar Formation After Spinal Cord Injury in Mice. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04212-6. [PMID: 38789894 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04212-6] [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: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
After spinal cord injury, astrocytes undergo a reactive process and form an astroglial scar, which impedes the regeneration of axons. The role of Runx2 in promoting the transformation of astrocytes in the central nervous system is well-established. However, it remains unclear whether Runx2 also plays a role in the development of astroglial scar, and the precise underlying mechanism has yet to be identified. Recently, our study using cell culture and animal models has demonstrated that Runx2 actually suppresses astrocyte activation and the formation of astroglial scar following injury. The initial results demonstrated an increase in the expression of Runx2 in astrocytes following in vivo injury. Subsequently, the overexpression of Runx2 resulted in the inhibition of astrocyte activation, reduction in the total area of astroglial scar, and restoration of neural function after 14 days of injury. However, these effects were reversed by CADD522. These findings indicate that Runx2 could potentially serve as a therapeutic intervention for spinal cord injury (SCI). Furthermore, our findings suggest that the Nuclear-matrix-targeting signal (NMTS) of Runx2 is associated with its effect. In summary, the study's results propose that targeting Runx2 may be a promising treatment approach for reactive astrocytes and astroglial scar in the recovery of SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leilei Lu
- Department of Emergency, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325027, China
| | - Jiazong Ye
- Department of Ultrasound, Dongtou District People's Hospital, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325700, China
| | - Dafa Yi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cixi Biomedical Research Institute, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Tengfei Qi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cixi Biomedical Research Institute, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Tong Luo
- Department of Emergency, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325027, China
| | - Silei Wu
- The Wenzhou Third Clinical Institute Affiliated To Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
| | - Liangliang Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
| | - Lei Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
| | - Hongyu Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
| | - Daqing Chen
- Department of Emergency, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325027, China.
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Huo M, Zhang Q, Si Y, Zhang Y, Chang H, Zhou M, Zhang D, Fang Y. The role of purinergic signaling in acupuncture-mediated relief of neuropathic and inflammatory pain. Purinergic Signal 2024:10.1007/s11302-024-09985-y. [PMID: 38305986 DOI: 10.1007/s11302-024-09985-y] [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: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Acupuncture is a traditional medicinal practice in China that has been increasingly recognized in other countries in recent decades. Notably, several reports have demonstrated that acupuncture can effectively aid in pain management. However, the analgesic mechanisms through which acupuncture provides such benefits remain poorly understood. Purinergic signaling, which is mediated by purine nucleotides and purinergic receptors, has been proposed to play a central role in acupuncture analgesia. On the one hand, acupuncture affects the transmission of nociception by increasing adenosine triphosphate dephosphorylation and thereby decreasing downstream P2X3, P2X4, and P2X7 receptors signaling activity, regulating the levels of inflammatory factors, neurotrophic factors, and synapsin I. On the other hand, acupuncture exerts analgesic effects by promoting the production of adenosine, enhancing the expression of downstream adenosine A1 and A2A receptors, and regulating downstream inflammatory factors or synaptic plasticity. Together, this systematic overview of the field provides a sound, evidence-based foundation for future research focused on the application of acupuncture as a means of relieving pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhu Huo
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, College of Acumox and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingxiang Zhang
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, College of Acumox and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuxin Si
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, College of Acumox and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China
| | - Youlin Zhang
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, College of Acumox and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongen Chang
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, College of Acumox and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengmeng Zhou
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, College of Acumox and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China
| | - Di Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Engineering of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China.
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China.
- Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yuxin Fang
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, College of Acumox and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China.
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