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Kim HS, Lee D, Shen S. Endoplasmic reticular stress as an emerging therapeutic target for chronic pain: a narrative review. Br J Anaesth 2024; 132:707-724. [PMID: 38378384 PMCID: PMC10925894 DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2024.01.007] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain is a severely debilitating condition with enormous socioeconomic costs. Current treatment regimens with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroids, or opioids have been largely unsatisfactory with uncertain benefits or severe long-term side effects. This is mainly because chronic pain has a multifactorial aetiology. Although conventional pain medications can alleviate pain by keeping several dysfunctional pathways under control, they can mask other underlying pathological causes, ultimately worsening nerve pathologies and pain outcome. Recent preclinical studies have shown that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress could be a central hub for triggering multiple molecular cascades involved in the development of chronic pain. Several ER stress inhibitors and unfolded protein response modulators, which have been tested in randomised clinical trials or apprpoved by the US Food and Drug Administration for other chronic diseases, significantly alleviated hyperalgesia in multiple preclinical pain models. Although the role of ER stress in neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic disorders, and cancer has been well established, research on ER stress and chronic pain is still in its infancy. Here, we critically analyse preclinical studies and explore how ER stress can mechanistically act as a central node to drive development and progression of chronic pain. We also discuss therapeutic prospects, benefits, and pitfalls of using ER stress inhibitors and unfolded protein response modulators for managing intractable chronic pain. In the future, targeting ER stress to impact multiple molecular networks might be an attractive therapeutic strategy against chronic pain refractory to steroids, NSAIDs, or opioids. This novel therapeutic strategy could provide solutions for the opioid crisis and public health challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harper S Kim
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Donghwan Lee
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shiqian Shen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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2
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Luo L, Wang Y, Tong J, Li L, Zhu Y, Jin M. Xenon postconditioning attenuates neuronal injury after spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury by targeting endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated apoptosis. Neurosurg Rev 2023; 46:213. [PMID: 37644159 DOI: 10.1007/s10143-023-02125-x] [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: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of the study is to explore the underlying mechanisms of xenon (Xe) which protects against spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury (SCIRI). A SCIRI rat model was induced by abdominal artery occlusion for 85 min and reperfusion. Xe postconditioning (50% Xe) was administered 1 h after 1 h of reperfusion. At reperfusion time points (2, 4, 6, and 24 h), rats were treated with spinal cord scans by MRI to assess the time of peak spinal cord injury after SCIRI. Subsequently, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inhibitor sodium 4-phenylbutyrate (4-PBA) was administered by daily intraperitoneal injection (50 mg/kg) for 5 days before SCIRI. At 4 h after reperfusion, motor function, immunofluorescence staining, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, Nissl staining, TUNEL staining, real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain (RT-PCR) reaction, and western blot analyses were performed to investigate the protective effects of Xe against SCIRI. In the rat I/R model, spinal cord edema peaked at reperfusion 4 h. SCIRI activated ER stress, which was located in neurons. Xe postconditioning remarkably alleviated hind limb motor function, reduced neuronal apoptosis rate, increased the number of normal neurons, and inhibited the expression of ER stress-related protein in spinal cord. Furthermore, the administration of the ER stress inhibitor 4-PBA strongly decreased ER stress-induced apoptosis following SCIRI. Xe postconditioning inhibits ER stress activation, which contributes to alleviate SCIRI by suppressing neuronal apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Luo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Capital Medical University Affiliated Beijing Friendship Hospital, 95 Yong-an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yuqing Wang
- Tsinghua Laboratory of Brain and Intelligence, Tsinghua University, 30 Shuangqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Jiaqi Tong
- Department of Anesthesiology, Capital Medical University Affiliated Beijing Friendship Hospital, 95 Yong-an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Lu Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Capital Medical University Affiliated Beijing Friendship Hospital, 95 Yong-an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yanbing Zhu
- Beijing Clinical Research Institute, Capital Medical University Affiliated Beijing Friendship Hospital, 95 Yong-an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Mu Jin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Capital Medical University Affiliated Beijing Friendship Hospital, 95 Yong-an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China.
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Hu Y, Chen Y, Liu T, Zhu C, Wan L, Yao W. The bidirectional roles of the cGAS-STING pathway in pain processing: Cellular and molecular mechanisms. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 163:114869. [PMID: 37182515 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Pain is a common clinical condition. However, the mechanisms underlying pain are not yet fully understood. It is known that the neuroimmune system plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of pain. Recent studies indicated that the cyclic-GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway can activate the innate immune system by sensing both extrinsic and intrinsic double-stranded DNA in the cytoplasm, which is involved in pain processing. In this review, we summarise (1) the roles of the cGAS-STING pathway in different pain models, (2) the effect of the cGAS-STING pathway in different cells during pain regulation, and (3) the downstream molecular mechanisms of the cGAS-STING pathway in pain regulation. This review provides evidence that the cGAS-STING pathway has pro- and anti-nociceptive effects in pain models. It has different functions in neuron, microglia, macrophage, and T cells. Its downstream molecules include IFN-I, NF-κB, NLRP3, and eIF2α. The bidirectional roles of the cGAS-STING pathway in pain processing are mediated by regulating nociceptive neuronal sensitivity and neuroinflammatory responses. However, their effects in special brain regions, activation of astrocytes, and the different phases of pain require further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjie Hu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yuye Chen
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Tongtong Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Chang Zhu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Li Wan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Wenlong Yao
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
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Anticarcinogenic Effects of Isothiocyanates on Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213834. [PMID: 36430307 PMCID: PMC9693344 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer, accounting for about 90% of cases. Sorafenib, lenvatinib, and the combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab are considered first-line treatments for advanced HCC. However, clinical application of these drugs has also caused some adverse reactions such as hypertension, elevated aspartate aminotransferases, and proteinuria. At present, natural products and their derivatives have drawn more and more attention due to less side effects as cancer treatments. Isothiocyanates (ITCs) are one type of hydrolysis products from glucosinolates (GLSs), secondary plant metabolites found exclusively in cruciferous vegetables. Accumulating evidence from encouraging in vitro and in vivo animal models has demonstrated that ITCs have multiple biological activities, especially their potentially health-promoting activities (antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticarcinogenic effects). In this review, we aim to comprehensively summarize the chemopreventive, anticancer, and chemosensitizative effects of ITCs on HCC, and explain the underlying molecular mechanisms.
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Apoptosis and (in) Pain—Potential Clinical Implications. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10061255. [PMID: 35740277 PMCID: PMC9219669 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10061255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The deregulation of apoptosis is involved in the development of several pathologies, and recent evidence suggests that apoptosis may be involved in chronic pain, namely in neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain is a chronic pain state caused by primary damage or dysfunction of the nervous system; however, the details of the molecular mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. Recently, it was found that nerve endings contain transient receptor potential (TRP) channels that sense and detect signals released by injured tissues and respond to these damage signals. TRP channels are similar to the voltage-gated potassium channels or nucleotide-gated channels that participate in calcium and magnesium homeostasis. TRP channels allowing calcium to penetrate into nerve terminals can activate apoptosis, leading to nerve terminal destruction. Further, some TRPs are activated by acid and reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are mainly produced in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, and an increase in ROS production and/or a decrease in the antioxidant network may induce oxidative stress (OS). Depending on the OS levels, they can promote cellular proliferation and/or cell degeneration or death. Previous studies have indicated that proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), play an important role in the peripheral mediation of neuropathic pain. This article aims to perform a review of the involvement of apoptosis in pain, particularly the role of OS and neuroinflammation, and the clinical relevance of this knowledge. The potential discovery of new biomarkers and therapeutic targets can result in the development of more effective and targeted drugs to treat chronic pain, namely neuropathic pain. Highlights: Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation can activate cell signaling pathways that can lead to nerve terminal destruction by apoptosis. These could constitute potential new pain biomarkers and targets for therapy in neuropathic pain.
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Zhang H, Li N, Li Z, Li Y, Yu Y, Zhang L. The Involvement of Caspases in Neuroinflammation and Neuronal Apoptosis in Chronic Pain and Potential Therapeutic Targets. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:898574. [PMID: 35592413 PMCID: PMC9110832 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.898574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain is a common, complex and unpleasant sensation following nerve injury, tissue trauma, inflammatory diseases, infection and cancer. It affects up to 25% of adults and is increasingly recognized as the leading cause of distress, disability and disease burden globally. Chronic pain is often refractory to most current analgesics, thus emphasizing the requirement for improved therapeutic medications. It is of great importance to elucidate the specific pathogenesis of chronic pain with different etiologies. Recent progress has advanced our understanding in the contribution of neuroinflammation and glial cells (microglia and astrocyte) activation in the plasticity of excitatory nociceptive synapses and the development of chronic pain phenotypes. Oxidative stress-associated neuronal apoptosis is also identified to be a pivotal step for central pain sensitization. The family of cysteine aspartate specific proteases (Caspases) has been well known to be key signaling molecules for inflammation and apoptosis in several neurological conditions. Recent studies have highlighted the unconventional and emerging role of caspases in microgliosis, astrocytes morphogenesis, chemokines release, cytokines secretion and neuronal apoptosis in initiating and maintaining synaptogenesis, synaptic strength and signal transduction in persistent pain hypersensitivity, suggesting the possibility of targeting caspases pathway for prevention and treatment of chronic pain. In this review, we will discuss and summarize the advances in the distinctive properties of caspases family in the pathophysiology of chronic pain, especially in neuropathic pain, inflammatory pain, cancer pain and musculoskeletal pain, with the aim to find the promising therapeutic candidates for the resolution of chronic pain to better manage patients undergoing chronic pain in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyue Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,The Graduate School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Nan Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,The Graduate School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ziping Li
- The Graduate School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yize Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yonghao Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Linlin Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
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Rosiglitazone Alleviates Mechanical Allodynia of Rats with Bone Cancer Pain through the Activation of PPAR- γ to Inhibit the NF- κB/NLRP3 Inflammatory Axis in Spinal Cord Neurons. PPAR Res 2021; 2021:6086265. [PMID: 34484316 PMCID: PMC8413064 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6086265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Bone cancer pain (BCP) is a serious clinical problem that affects the quality of life of cancer patients. However, the current treatment methods for this condition are still unsatisfactory. This study investigated whether intrathecal injection of rosiglitazone modulates the noxious behaviors associated with BCP, and the possible mechanisms related to this effect were explored. We found that rosiglitazone treatment relieved bone cancer-induced mechanical hyperalgesia in a dose-dependent manner, promoted the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) in spinal cord neurons, and inhibited the activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)/nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammatory axis induced by BCP. However, concurrent administration of the PPAR-γ antagonist GW9662 reversed these effects. The results show that rosiglitazone inhibits the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammation axis by activating PPAR-γ in spinal neurons, thereby alleviating BCP. Therefore, the PPAR-γ/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway may be a potential target for the treatment of BCP in the future.
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Zhang L, Li J, Li Y, Wang Z, Wang G, Yu Y, Song C, Cui W. Spinal caspase-3 contributes to tibial fracture-associated postoperative allodynia via up-regulation of LRRTM1 expression in mice. Neurosci Lett 2020; 739:135429. [PMID: 33069813 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bone fracture may subsequently cause chronic postoperative pain after orthopedic surgery, but mechanisms remain elusive. The necessity of caspase-3 in neuroinflammation and synaptic plasticity has been summarized in pathological pain. Leucine-rich repeat transmembrane protein 1 (LRRTM1) mediates synaptic delivery of AMPA receptor and synaptogenesis. This study evaluated whether caspase-3 and LRRTM1 are required for fracture-associated postoperative allodynia. METHODS A model of tibial fracture with intramedullary pinning in mice was established for the induction of postoperative pain, verified by measurement of mechanical paw withdrawal threshold and cold scores response to acetone. The caspase-3 specific inhibitor, recombinant caspase-3 and LRRTM1 knockdown by shRNA were utilized for the investigation of pathogenesis as well as the prevention of allodynia. Also, the activity of caspase-3 and the expression of LRRTM1 in the spinal dorsal horn were examined by Western blot and RT-qPCR. RESULTS This study reported that tibial fracture and orthopedic surgery produced long-lasting mechanical allodynia and cold allodynia, along with the up-modulation of spinal caspase-3 activity (but not caspase-3 expression) and LRRTM1 expression. Spinal caspase-3 inhibition prevented fracture-associated behavioral allodynia in a dose-dependent manner. Caspase-3 inhibitor also reduced the spinal increased LRRTM1 level after tibial fracture with pinning. Spinal LRRTM1 deficiency impaired fracture-caused postoperative pain. Intrathecal recombinant caspase-3 facilitated acute pain hypersensitivity and spinal LRRTM1 expression in naïve mice, reversing by LRRTM1 knockdown. CONCLUSION Our current results demonstrate the spinal up-regulation of LRRTM1 by caspase-3 activation in the development of tibial fracture-associated postoperative pain in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Yize Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Guolin Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Yonghao Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Chengcheng Song
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin 300052, China.
| | - Wei Cui
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin 300052, China.
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