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Gomez K, Duran P, Tonello R, Allen HN, Boinon L, Calderon-Rivera A, Loya-López S, Nelson TS, Ran D, Moutal A, Bunnett NW, Khanna R. Neuropilin-1 is essential for vascular endothelial growth factor A-mediated increase of sensory neuron activity and development of pain-like behaviors. Pain 2023; 164:2696-2710. [PMID: 37366599 PMCID: PMC10751385 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that binds numerous ligands including vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA). Binding of this ligand to NRP-1 and the co-receptor, the tyrosine kinase receptor VEGFR2, elicits nociceptor sensitization resulting in pain through the enhancement of the activity of voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels. We previously reported that blocking the interaction between VEGFA and NRP-1 with the Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 attenuates VEGFA-induced dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuronal excitability and alleviates neuropathic pain, pointing to the VEGFA/NRP-1 signaling as a novel therapeutic target of pain. Here, we investigated whether peripheral sensory neurons and spinal cord hyperexcitability and pain behaviors were affected by the loss of NRP-1. Nrp-1 is expressed in both peptidergic and nonpeptidergic sensory neurons. A CRIPSR/Cas9 strategy targeting the second exon of nrp-1 gene was used to knockdown NRP-1. Neuropilin-1 editing in DRG neurons reduced VEGFA-mediated increases in CaV2.2 currents and sodium currents through NaV1.7. Neuropilin-1 editing had no impact on voltage-gated potassium channels. Following in vivo editing of NRP-1, lumbar dorsal horn slices showed a decrease in the frequency of VEGFA-mediated increases in spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents. Finally, intrathecal injection of a lentivirus packaged with an NRP-1 guide RNA and Cas9 enzyme prevented spinal nerve injury-induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in both male and female rats. Collectively, our findings highlight a key role of NRP-1 in modulating pain pathways in the sensory nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly Gomez
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University; New York, NY, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Paz Duran
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University; New York, NY, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Raquel Tonello
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University; New York, NY, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Heather N. Allen
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University; New York, NY, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Lisa Boinon
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona; Tucson, AZ, United States of America
| | - Aida Calderon-Rivera
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University; New York, NY, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Santiago Loya-López
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University; New York, NY, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Tyler S. Nelson
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University; New York, NY, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Dongzhi Ran
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona; Tucson, AZ, United States of America
| | - Aubin Moutal
- School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University; Saint Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Nigel W. Bunnett
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University; New York, NY, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue; New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016 USA
| | - Rajesh Khanna
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University; New York, NY, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue; New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016 USA
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Mustafá ER, Weiss N. From SARS-CoV-2 to analgesia: harnessing the vascular endothelial growth factor A/neuropilin 1 axis for pain therapy. Pain 2023; 164:1403-1405. [PMID: 36651581 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Emilio R Mustafá
- Department of Pathophysiology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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Stratton HJ, Boinon L, Gomez K, Martin L, Duran P, Ran D, Zhou Y, Luo S, Perez-Miller S, Patek M, Ibrahim MM, Patwardhan A, Moutal A, Khanna R. Targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor A/neuropilin 1 axis for relief of neuropathic pain. Pain 2023; 164:1473-1488. [PMID: 36729125 PMCID: PMC10277229 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) is a pronociceptive factor that causes neuronal sensitization and pain. We reported that blocking the interaction between the membrane receptor neuropilin 1 (NRP1) and VEGF-A-blocked VEGF-A-mediated sensory neuron hyperexcitability and reduced mechanical hypersensitivity in a rodent chronic neuropathic pain model. These findings identified the NRP1-VEGF-A signaling axis for therapeutic targeting of chronic pain. In an in-silico screening of approximately 480 K small molecules binding to the extracellular b1b2 pocket of NRP1, we identified 9 chemical series, with 6 compounds disrupting VEGF-A binding to NRP1. The small molecule with greatest efficacy, 4'-methyl-2'-morpholino-2-(phenylamino)-[4,5'-bipyrimidin]-6(1H)-one, designated NRP1-4, was selected for further evaluation. In cultured primary sensory neurons, VEGF-A enhanced excitability and decreased firing threshold, which was blocked by NRP1-4. In addition, NaV1.7 and CaV2.2 currents and membrane expression were potentiated by treatment with VEGF-A, and this potentiation was blocked by NRP1-4 cotreatment. Neuropilin 1-4 reduced VEGF-A-mediated increases in the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents in dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Neuropilin 1-4 did not bind to more than 300 G-protein-coupled receptors and receptors including human opioids receptors, indicating a favorable safety profile. In rats with spared nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain, intrathecal administration of NRP1-4 significantly attenuated mechanical allodynia. Intravenous treatment with NRP1-4 reversed both mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in rats with L5/L6 spinal nerve ligation-induced neuropathic pain. Collectively, our findings show that NRP1-4 is a first-in-class compound targeting the NRP1-VEGF-A signaling axis to control voltage-gated ion channel function, neuronal excitability, and synaptic activity that curb chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harrison J. Stratton
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona; Tucson, Arizona, 85724 United States of America
| | - Lisa Boinon
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona; Tucson, Arizona, 85724 United States of America
| | - Kimberly Gomez
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY 10010, United States of America
| | - Laurent Martin
- Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona; Tucson, Arizona, 85724 United States of America
| | - Paz Duran
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY 10010, United States of America
| | - Dongzhi Ran
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona; Tucson, Arizona, 85724 United States of America
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona; Tucson, Arizona, 85724 United States of America
| | - Shizhen Luo
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona; Tucson, Arizona, 85724 United States of America
| | - Samantha Perez-Miller
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY 10010, United States of America
| | - Marcel Patek
- BrightRock Path, LLC, Tucson, Arizona 85704, United States
| | - Mohab M. Ibrahim
- Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona; Tucson, Arizona, 85724 United States of America
| | - Amol Patwardhan
- Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona; Tucson, Arizona, 85724 United States of America
| | - Aubin Moutal
- Saint Louis University - School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, 1402 S. Grand Blvd., Schwitalla Hall, Room 432, Saint Louis, MO 63104
| | - Rajesh Khanna
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY 10010, United States of America
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Iafrate L, Benedetti MC, Donsante S, Rosa A, Corsi A, Oreffo ROC, Riminucci M, Ruocco G, Scognamiglio C, Cidonio G. Modelling skeletal pain harnessing tissue engineering. IN VITRO MODELS 2022; 1:289-307. [PMID: 36567849 PMCID: PMC9766883 DOI: 10.1007/s44164-022-00028-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Bone pain typically occurs immediately following skeletal damage with mechanical distortion or rupture of nociceptive fibres. The pain mechanism is also associated with chronic pain conditions where the healing process is impaired. Any load impacting on the area of the fractured bone will stimulate the nociceptive response, necessitating rapid clinical intervention to relieve pain associated with the bone damage and appropriate mitigation of any processes involved with the loss of bone mass, muscle, and mobility and to prevent death. The following review has examined the mechanisms of pain associated with trauma or cancer-related skeletal damage focusing on new approaches for the development of innovative therapeutic interventions. In particular, the review highlights tissue engineering approaches that offer considerable promise in the application of functional biomimetic fabrication of bone and nerve tissues. The strategic combination of bone and nerve tissue engineered models provides significant potential to develop a new class of in vitro platforms, capable of replacing in vivo models and testing the safety and efficacy of novel drug treatments aimed at the resolution of bone-associated pain. To date, the field of bone pain research has centred on animal models, with a paucity of data correlating to the human physiological response. This review explores the evident gap in pain drug development research and suggests a step change in approach to harness tissue engineering technologies to recapitulate the complex pathophysiological environment of the damaged bone tissue enabling evaluation of the associated pain-mimicking mechanism with significant therapeutic potential therein for improved patient quality of life. Graphical abstract Rationale underlying novel drug testing platform development. Pain detected by the central nervous system and following bone fracture cannot be treated or exclusively alleviated using standardised methods. The pain mechanism and specificity/efficacy of pain reduction drugs remain poorly understood. In vivo and ex vivo models are not yet able to recapitulate the various pain events associated with skeletal damage. In vitro models are currently limited by their inability to fully mimic the complex physiological mechanisms at play between nervous and skeletal tissue and any disruption in pathological states. Robust innovative tissue engineering models are needed to better understand pain events and to investigate therapeutic regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Iafrate
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science (CLN2S), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Benedetti
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science (CLN2S), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Samantha Donsante
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Rosa
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science (CLN2S), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Corsi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Richard O. C. Oreffo
- Bone and Joint Research Group, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Institute of Developmental Sciences, Centre for Human Development, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Mara Riminucci
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Ruocco
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science (CLN2S), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Scognamiglio
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science (CLN2S), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Cidonio
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science (CLN2S), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
- Bone and Joint Research Group, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Institute of Developmental Sciences, Centre for Human Development, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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