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Serafini RA, Farzinpour Z, Patel V, Kelley AM, Estill M, Pryce KD, Sakloth F, Teague CD, Torres-Berrio A, Nestler EJ, Shen L, Akbarian S, Karkhanis AN, Blitzer RD, Zachariou V. Nucleus accumbens myocyte enhancer factor 2C mediates the maintenance of peripheral nerve injury-induced physiological and behavioral maladaptations. Pain 2024:00006396-990000000-00648. [PMID: 38985454 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Preclinical and clinical work has demonstrated altered plasticity and activity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) under chronic pain states, highlighting critical therapeutic avenues for the management of chronic pain conditions. In this study, we demonstrate that myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C), a master regulator of neuronal activity and plasticity, is repressed in NAc neurons after prolonged spared nerve injury (SNI). Viral-mediated overexpression of Mef2c in NAc neurons partially ameliorated sensory hypersensitivity and emotional behaviors in mice with SNI, while also altering transcriptional pathways associated with synaptic signaling. Mef2c overexpression also reversed SNI-induced potentiation of phasic dopamine release and neuronal hyperexcitability in the NAc. Transcriptional changes induced by Mef2c overexpression were different than those observed after desipramine treatment, suggesting a mechanism of action different from antidepressants. Overall, we show that interventions in MEF2C-regulated mechanisms in the NAc are sufficient to disrupt the maintenance of chronic pain states, providing potential new treatment avenues for neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randal A Serafini
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, & Biophysics, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine at Boston University, Boston, MA, United states
| | - Zahra Farzinpour
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, & Biophysics, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine at Boston University, Boston, MA, United states
| | - Vishwendra Patel
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Abigail M Kelley
- Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY, United states
| | - Molly Estill
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Kerri D Pryce
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Farhana Sakloth
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Collin D Teague
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Angelica Torres-Berrio
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Li Shen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Schahram Akbarian
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Anushree N Karkhanis
- Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY, United states
| | - Robert D Blitzer
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Venetia Zachariou
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, & Biophysics, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine at Boston University, Boston, MA, United states
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2
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Hui SE, Westlund KN. Role of HDAC5 Epigenetics in Chronic Craniofacial Neuropathic Pain. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6889. [PMID: 38999998 PMCID: PMC11241576 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25136889] [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: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The information provided from the papers reviewed here about the role of epigenetics in chronic craniofacial neuropathic pain is critically important because epigenetic dysregulation during the development and maintenance of chronic neuropathic pain is not yet well characterized, particularly for craniofacial pain. We have noted that gene expression changes reported vary depending on the nerve injury model and the reported sample collection time point. At a truly chronic timepoint of 10 weeks in our model of chronic neuropathic pain, functional groupings of genes examined include those potentially contributing to anti-inflammation, nerve repair/regeneration, and nociception. Genes altered after treatment with the epigenetic modulator LMK235 are discussed. All of these differentials are key in working toward the development of diagnosis-targeted therapeutics and likely for the timing of when the treatment is provided. The emphasis on the relevance of time post-injury is reiterated here.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karin N. Westlund
- Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
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Marty-Lombardi S, Lu S, Ambroziak W, Schrenk-Siemens K, Wang J, DePaoli-Roach AA, Hagenston AM, Wende H, Tappe-Theodor A, Simonetti M, Bading H, Okun JG, Kuner R, Fleming T, Siemens J. Neuron-astrocyte metabolic coupling facilitates spinal plasticity and maintenance of inflammatory pain. Nat Metab 2024; 6:494-513. [PMID: 38443593 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-024-01001-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Long-lasting pain stimuli can trigger maladaptive changes in the spinal cord, reminiscent of plasticity associated with memory formation. Metabolic coupling between astrocytes and neurons has been implicated in neuronal plasticity and memory formation in the central nervous system, but neither its involvement in pathological pain nor in spinal plasticity has been tested. Here we report a form of neuroglia signalling involving spinal astrocytic glycogen dynamics triggered by persistent noxious stimulation via upregulation of the Protein Targeting to Glycogen (PTG) in spinal astrocytes. PTG drove glycogen build-up in astrocytes, and blunting glycogen accumulation and turnover by Ptg gene deletion reduced pain-related behaviours and promoted faster recovery by shortening pain maintenance in mice. Furthermore, mechanistic analyses revealed that glycogen dynamics is a critically required process for maintenance of pain by facilitating neuronal plasticity in spinal lamina 1 neurons. In summary, our study describes a previously unappreciated mechanism of astrocyte-neuron metabolic communication through glycogen breakdown in the spinal cord that fuels spinal neuron hyperexcitability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shiying Lu
- Institute of Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Oliver Wyman GmbH, Munich, Germany
| | - Wojciech Ambroziak
- Institute of Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Translational Disease Understanding, Grünenthal GmbH, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Jialin Wang
- Institute of Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anna A DePaoli-Roach
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Anna M Hagenston
- Department of Neurobiology, Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences (IZN), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hagen Wende
- Institute of Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Taconic Biosciences, Leverkusen, Germany
| | | | - Manuela Simonetti
- Institute of Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hilmar Bading
- Department of Neurobiology, Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences (IZN), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jürgen G Okun
- Dietmar-Hopp-Metabolic Center, Division of Neuropaediatrics and Metabolic Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rohini Kuner
- Institute of Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit (MMPU), European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Fleming
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology, Metabolism and Clinical Chemistry (Internal Medicine 1), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center of Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jan Siemens
- Institute of Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit (MMPU), European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany.
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4
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Serafini RA, Ramakrishnan A, Shen L, Zachariou V. Desipramine induces anti-inflammatory dorsal root ganglion transcriptional signatures in the murine spared nerve injury model. NEUROBIOLOGY OF PAIN (CAMBRIDGE, MASS.) 2024; 15:100153. [PMID: 38549875 PMCID: PMC10973649 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynpai.2024.100153] [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: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Monoamine-targeting antidepressants serve as frontline medications for chronic pain and associated comorbidities. While persistent anti-allodynic properties of antidepressants generally require weeks of treatment, several groups have demonstrated acute analgesic effects within hours of administration, suggesting a role in non-mesocorticolimbic pain processing regions such as the peripheral nervous system. To further explore this possibility, after four weeks of spared nerve injury or sham surgeries, we systemically administered desipramine or saline for an additional three weeks and performed whole transcriptome RNA sequencing on L3-6 dorsal root ganglia. Along with alterations in molecular pathways associated with neuronal activity, we observed a robust immunomodulatory transcriptional signature in the desipramine treated group. Cell subtype deconvolution predicted that these changes were associated with A- and C-fibers. Of note, differentially expressed genes from the dorsal root ganglia of DMI-treated, injured mice were largely unique compared to those from the nucleus accumbens of the same animals. These observations suggest that, under peripheral nerve injury conditions, desipramine induces specific gene expression changes across various regions of the nociceptive circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randal A. Serafini
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Avedisian and Chobanian School of Medicine at Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, United States
| | - Aarthi Ramakrishnan
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Li Shen
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Avedisian and Chobanian School of Medicine at Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, United States
| | - Venetia Zachariou
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Avedisian and Chobanian School of Medicine at Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, United States
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5
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Serafini RA, Estill M, Pekarskaya EA, Sakloth F, Shen L, Javitch JA, Zachariou V. Tianeptine promotes lasting antiallodynic effects in a mouse model of neuropathic pain. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:1680-1689. [PMID: 37474762 PMCID: PMC10517169 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01645-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as desipramine (DMI), are effective at managing neuropathic pain symptoms but often take several weeks to become effective and also lead to considerable side effects. Tianeptine (TIAN) is an atypical antidepressant that activates the mu-opioid receptor but does not produce analgesic tolerance or withdrawal in mice, nor euphoria in humans, at clinically-relevant doses. Here, we evaluate the efficacy of TIAN at persistently alleviating mechanical allodynia in the spared nerve injury (SNI) model of neuropathic pain, even well after drug clearance. After finding an accelerated onset of antiallodynic action compared to DMI, we used genetically modified mice to gain insight into RGS protein-associated pathways that modulate the efficacy of TIAN relative to DMI in models of neuropathic pain. Because we observed similar behavioral responses to both TIAN and DMI treatment in RGS4, RGSz1, and RGS9 knockout mice, we performed RNA sequencing on the NAc of TIAN- and DMI-treated mice after prolonged SNI to further clarify potential mechanisms underlying TIANs faster therapeutic actions. Our bioinformatic analysis revealed distinct transcriptomic signatures between the two drugs, with TIAN more directly reversing SNI-induced differentially expressed genes, and further predicted several upstream regulators that may be implicated in onset of action. This new understanding of the molecular pathways underlying TIAN action may enable the development of novel and more efficacious pharmacological approaches for the management of neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randal A Serafini
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Biophysics, Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine at Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Molly Estill
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Pekarskaya
- Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Farhana Sakloth
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Li Shen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jonathan A Javitch
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Venetia Zachariou
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Biophysics, Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine at Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
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Wu L, Tang H. The role of N6-methyladenosine modification in rodent models of neuropathic pain: from the mechanism to therapeutic potential. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 166:115398. [PMID: 37647691 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115398] [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: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain (NP) is a common chronic pain condition resulted from lesions or diseases of somatosensory nervous system, but the pathogenesis remains unclear. A growing body of evidence supports the relationship between pathogenesis and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modifications of RNA. However, studies on the role of m6A modifications in NP are still at an early stage. Elucidating different etiologies is important for understanding the specific pathogenesis of NP. This article provides a comprehensive review on the role of m6A methylation modifications including methyltransferases ("writers"), demethylases ("erasers"), and m6A binding proteins ("readers") in NP models. Further analysis of the pathogenic mechanism relationship between m6A and NP provided novel theoretical and practical significance for clinical treatment of NP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Wu
- Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China; The First Clinical Medical College of Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China
| | - Hongliang Tang
- Guangxi Traditional Chinese Medicine University Affiliated Fangchenggang Hospital.
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7
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Pryce KD, Serafini RA, Ramakrishnan A, Nicolais A, Giosan IM, Polizu C, Torres-Berrío A, Vuppala S, Kronman H, Ruiz A, Gaspari S, Peña CJ, Sakloth F, Mitsi V, van Duzer J, Mazitschek R, Jarpe M, Shen L, Nestler EJ, Zachariou V. Oxycodone withdrawal induces HDAC1/HDAC2-dependent transcriptional maladaptations in the reward pathway in a mouse model of peripheral nerve injury. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:1229-1244. [PMID: 37291337 PMCID: PMC10752505 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01350-3] [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: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The development of physical dependence and addiction disorders due to misuse of opioid analgesics is a major concern with pain therapeutics. We developed a mouse model of oxycodone exposure and subsequent withdrawal in the presence or absence of chronic neuropathic pain. Oxycodone withdrawal alone triggered robust gene expression adaptations in the nucleus accumbens, medial prefrontal cortex and ventral tegmental area, with numerous genes and pathways selectively affected by oxycodone withdrawal in mice with peripheral nerve injury. Pathway analysis predicted that histone deacetylase (HDAC) 1 is a top upstream regulator in opioid withdrawal in nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex. The novel HDAC1/HDAC2 inhibitor, Regenacy Brain Class I HDAC Inhibitor (RBC1HI), attenuated behavioral manifestations of oxycodone withdrawal, especially in mice with neuropathic pain. These findings suggest that inhibition of HDAC1/HDAC2 may provide an avenue for patients with chronic pain who are dependent on opioids to transition to non-opioid analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerri D Pryce
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Randal A Serafini
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aarthi Ramakrishnan
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrew Nicolais
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ilinca M Giosan
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Claire Polizu
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Angélica Torres-Berrío
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sreeya Vuppala
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hope Kronman
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anne Ruiz
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sevasti Gaspari
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Farhana Sakloth
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vasiliki Mitsi
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Ralph Mazitschek
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Li Shen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Venetia Zachariou
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
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Serafini RA, Frere JJ, Zimering J, Giosan IM, Pryce KD, Golynker I, Panis M, Ruiz A, tenOever BR, Zachariou V. SARS-CoV-2 airway infection results in the development of somatosensory abnormalities in a hamster model. Sci Signal 2023; 16:eade4984. [PMID: 37159520 PMCID: PMC10422867 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.ade4984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Although largely confined to the airways, SARS-CoV-2 infection has been associated with sensory abnormalities that manifest in both acute and chronic phenotypes. To gain insight on the molecular basis of these sensory abnormalities, we used the golden hamster model to characterize and compare the effects of infection with SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A virus (IAV) on the sensory nervous system. We detected SARS-CoV-2 transcripts but no infectious material in the cervical and thoracic spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) within the first 24 hours of intranasal virus infection. SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters exhibited mechanical hypersensitivity that was milder but prolonged compared with that observed in IAV-infected hamsters. RNA sequencing analysis of thoracic DRGs 1 to 4 days after infection suggested perturbations in predominantly neuronal signaling in SARS-CoV-2-infected animals as opposed to type I interferon signaling in IAV-infected animals. Later, 31 days after infection, a neuropathic transcriptome emerged in thoracic DRGs from SARS-CoV-2-infected animals, which coincided with SARS-CoV-2-specific mechanical hypersensitivity. These data revealed potential targets for pain management, including the RNA binding protein ILF3, which was validated in murine pain models. This work elucidates transcriptomic signatures in the DRGs triggered by SARS-CoV-2 that may underlie both short- and long-term sensory abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randal A. Serafini
- Nash Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Justin J. Frere
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Jeffrey Zimering
- Nash Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ilinca M. Giosan
- Nash Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Kerri D. Pryce
- Nash Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ilona Golynker
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Maryline Panis
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Anne Ruiz
- Nash Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Benjamin R. tenOever
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Venetia Zachariou
- Nash Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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9
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Serafini RA, Frere JJ, Zimering J, Giosan IM, Pryce KD, Golynker I, Panis M, Ruiz A, tenOever B, Zachariou V. SARS-CoV-2 Airway Infection Results in Time-dependent Sensory Abnormalities in a Hamster Model. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2022.08.19.504551. [PMID: 36032984 PMCID: PMC9413707 DOI: 10.1101/2022.08.19.504551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Despite being largely confined to the airways, SARS-CoV-2 infection has been associated with sensory abnormalities that manifest in both acute and long-lasting phenotypes. To gain insight on the molecular basis of these sensory abnormalities, we used the golden hamster infection model to characterize the effects of SARS-CoV-2 versus Influenza A virus (IAV) infection on the sensory nervous system. Efforts to detect the presence of virus in the cervical/thoracic spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) demonstrated detectable levels of SARS-CoV-2 by quantitative PCR and RNAscope uniquely within the first 24 hours of infection. SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters demonstrated mechanical hypersensitivity during acute infection; intriguingly, this hypersensitivity was milder, but prolonged when compared to IAV-infected hamsters. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of thoracic DRGs from acute infection revealed predominantly neuron-biased signaling perturbations in SARS-CoV-2-infected animals as opposed to type I interferon signaling in tissue derived from IAV-infected animals. RNA-seq of 31dpi thoracic DRGs from SARS-CoV-2-infected animals highlighted a uniquely neuropathic transcriptomic landscape, which was consistent with substantial SARS-CoV-2-specific mechanical hypersensitivity at 28dpi. Ontology analysis of 1, 4, and 30dpi RNA-seq revealed novel targets for pain management, such as ILF3. Meta-analysis of all SARS-CoV-2 RNA-seq timepoints against preclinical pain model datasets highlighted both conserved and unique pro-nociceptive gene expression changes following infection. Overall, this work elucidates novel transcriptomic signatures triggered by SARS-CoV-2 that may underlie both short- and long-term sensory abnormalities while also highlighting several therapeutic targets for alleviation of infection-induced hypersensitivity. One Sentence Summary SARS-CoV-2 infection results in an interferon-associated transcriptional response in sensory tissues underlying time-dependent hypersensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randal A. Serafini
- Nash Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place Box #1022, New York, NY, 10029
| | - Justin J. Frere
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box #1124, New York, NY, 10029
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Langone, 430-450 E. 29 St., New York, NY 10016
| | - Jeffrey Zimering
- Nash Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place Box #1022, New York, NY, 10029
- Department of Neurosurgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box #1136, New York, NY, 10029
| | - Ilinca M. Giosan
- Nash Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place Box #1022, New York, NY, 10029
| | - Kerri D. Pryce
- Nash Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place Box #1022, New York, NY, 10029
| | - Ilona Golynker
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Langone, 430-450 E. 29 St., New York, NY 10016
| | - Maryline Panis
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Langone, 430-450 E. 29 St., New York, NY 10016
| | - Anne Ruiz
- Nash Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place Box #1022, New York, NY, 10029
| | - Benjamin tenOever
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Langone, 430-450 E. 29 St., New York, NY 10016
| | - Venetia Zachariou
- Nash Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place Box #1022, New York, NY, 10029
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place Box #1677, New York, New York 10029
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10
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Fullerton EF, Karom MC, Streicher JM, Young LJ, Murphy AZ. Age-Induced Changes in µ-Opioid Receptor Signaling in the Midbrain Periaqueductal Gray of Male and Female Rats. J Neurosci 2022; 42:6232-6242. [PMID: 35790399 PMCID: PMC9374133 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0355-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioids have decreased analgesic potency (but not efficacy) in aged rodents compared with adults; however, the neural mechanisms underlying this attenuated response are not yet known. The present study investigated the impact of advanced age and biological sex on opioid signaling in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) in the presence of chronic inflammatory pain. Assays measuring µ-opioid receptor (MOR) radioligand binding, GTPγS binding, receptor phosphorylation, cAMP inhibition, and regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS) protein expression were performed on vlPAG tissue from adult (2-3 months) and aged (16-18 months) male and female rats. Persistent inflammatory pain was induced by intraplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Adult males exhibited the highest MOR binding potential (BP) and highest G-protein activation (activation efficiency ratio) in comparison to aged males and females (adult and aged). No impact of advanced age or sex on MOR phosphorylation state was observed. DAMGO-induced cAMP inhibition was highest in the vlPAG of adult males compared with aged males and females (adult and aged). vlPAG levels of RGS4 and RGS9-2, critical for terminating G-protein signaling, were assessed using RNAscope. Adult rats (both males and females) exhibited lower levels of vlPAG RGS4 and RGS9-2 mRNA expression compared with aged males and females. The observed age-related reductions in vlPAG MOR BP, G-protein activation efficiency, and cAMP inhibition, along with the observed age-related increases in RGS4 and RGS9-2 vlPAG expression, provide potential mechanisms whereby the potency of opioids is decreased in the aged population.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Opioids have decreased analgesic potency (but not efficacy) in aged rodents compared with adults; however, the neural mechanisms underlying this attenuated response are not yet known. In the present study, we observed age-related reductions in ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) µ-opioid receptor (MOR) binding potential (BP), G-protein activation efficiency, and cAMP inhibition, along with the observed age-related increases in regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS)4 and RGS9-2 vlPAG expression, providing potential mechanisms whereby the potency of opioids is decreased in the aged population. These coordinated decreases in opioid receptor signaling may explain the previously reported reduced potency of opioids to produce pain relief in females and aged rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan F Fullerton
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303
| | - Mary C Karom
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303
| | - John M Streicher
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724
| | - Larry J Young
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
| | - Anne Z Murphy
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303
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11
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Kaur S, Hickman TM, Lopez-Ramirez A, McDonald H, Lockhart LM, Darwish O, Averitt DL. Estrogen modulation of the pronociceptive effects of serotonin on female rat trigeminal sensory neurons is timing dependent and dosage dependent and requires estrogen receptor alpha. Pain 2022; 163:e899-e916. [PMID: 35121697 PMCID: PMC9288423 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The role of the major estrogen estradiol (E2) on orofacial pain conditions remains controversial with studies reporting both a pronociceptive and antinociceptive role of E2. E2 modulation of peripheral serotonergic activity may be one mechanism underlying the female prevalence of orofacial pain disorders. We recently reported that female rats in proestrus and estrus exhibit greater serotonin (5HT)-evoked orofacial nocifensive behaviors compared with diestrus and male rats. Further coexpression of 5HT 2A receptor mRNA in nociceptive trigeminal sensory neurons that express transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 ion channels contributes to pain sensitization. E2 may exacerbate orofacial pain through 5HT-sensitive trigeminal nociceptors, but whether low or high E2 contributes to orofacial pain and by what mechanism remains unclear. We hypothesized that steady-state exposure to a proestrus level of E2 exacerbates 5HT-evoked orofacial nocifensive behaviors in female rats, explored the transcriptome of E2-treated female rats, and determined which E2 receptor contributes to sensitization of female trigeminal sensory neurons. We report that a diestrus level of E2 is protective against 5HT-evoked orofacial pain behaviors, which increase with increasing E2 concentrations, and that E2 differentially alters several pain genes in the trigeminal ganglia. Furthermore, E2 receptors coexpressed with 5HT 2A and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 and enhanced capsaicin-evoked signaling in the trigeminal ganglia through estrogen receptor α. Overall, our data indicate that low, but not high, physiological levels of E2 protect against orofacial pain, and we provide evidence that estrogen receptor α receptor activation, but not others, contributes to sensitization of nociceptive signaling in trigeminal sensory neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukhbir Kaur
- Department of Biology, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX 76204
| | | | | | - Hanna McDonald
- Department of Biology, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX 76204
| | | | - Omar Darwish
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX 76204
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12
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Saggu S, Chen Y, Chen L, Pizarro D, Pati S, Law WJ, McMahon L, Jiao K, Wang Q. A peptide blocking the ADORA1-neurabin interaction is anticonvulsant and inhibits epilepsy in an Alzheimer's model. JCI Insight 2022; 7:155002. [PMID: 35674133 PMCID: PMC9220929 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.155002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Epileptic seizures are common sequelae of stroke, acute brain injury, and chronic neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), and cannot be effectively controlled in approximately 40% of patients, necessitating the development of novel therapeutic agents. Activation of the A1 receptor (A1R) by endogenous adenosine is an intrinsic mechanism to self-terminate seizures and protect neurons from excitotoxicity. However, targeting A1R for neurological disorders has been hindered by side effects associated with its broad expression outside the nervous system. Here we aim to target the neural-specific A1R/neurabin/regulator of G protein signaling 4 (A1R/neurabin/RGS4) complex that dictates A1R signaling strength and response outcome in the brain. We developed a peptide that blocks the A1R-neurabin interaction to enhance A1R activity. Intracerebroventricular or i.n. administration of this peptide shows marked protection against kainate-induced seizures and neuronal death. Furthermore, in an AD mouse model with spontaneous seizures, nasal delivery of this blocking peptide reduces epileptic spike frequency. Significantly, the anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects of this peptide are achieved through enhanced A1R function in response to endogenous adenosine in the brain, thus, avoiding side effects associated with A1R activation in peripheral tissues and organs. Our study informs potentially new anti-seizure therapy applicable to epilepsy and other neurological illness with comorbid seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalini Saggu
- Departments of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology
| | - Yunjia Chen
- Departments of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology
| | - Liping Chen
- Departments of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology
| | | | | | - Wen Jing Law
- Departments of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology
| | - Lori McMahon
- Departments of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology
| | - Kai Jiao
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Qin Wang
- Departments of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology
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13
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Pryce KD, Kang HJ, Sakloth F, Liu Y, Khan S, Toth K, Kapoor A, Nicolais A, Che T, Qin L, Bertherat F, Kaniskan HÜ, Jin J, Cameron MD, Roth BL, Zachariou V, Filizola M. A promising chemical series of positive allosteric modulators of the μ-opioid receptor that enhance the antinociceptive efficacy of opioids but not their adverse effects. Neuropharmacology 2021; 195:108673. [PMID: 34153316 PMCID: PMC8410669 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) have been proposed to exhibit therapeutic potential by maximizing the analgesic properties of clinically used opioid drugs while limiting their adverse effects or risk of overdose as a result of using lower drug doses. We herein report in vitro and in vivo characterization of two small molecules from a chemical series of MOR PAMs that exhibit: (i) MOR PAM activity and receptor subtype selectivity in vitro, (ii) a differential potentiation of the antinociceptive effect of oxycodone, morphine, and methadone in mouse models of pain that roughly correlates with in vitro activity, and (iii) a lack of potentiation of adverse effects associated with opioid administration, such as somatic withdrawal, respiratory depression, and analgesic tolerance. This series of MOR PAMs holds promise for the development of adjuncts to opioid therapy to mitigate against overdose and opioid use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerri D Pryce
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Hye Jin Kang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Farhana Sakloth
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Yongfeng Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Susan Khan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Katalin Toth
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Abhijeet Kapoor
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Andrew Nicolais
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Tao Che
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Lihuai Qin
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA; Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Feodora Bertherat
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - H Ümit Kaniskan
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA; Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Jian Jin
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA; Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Michael D Cameron
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Bryan L Roth
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Venetia Zachariou
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| | - Marta Filizola
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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14
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Abstract
Chronic pain affects approximately one-third of the population worldwide. The primary goal of animal research is to understand the neural mechanisms underlying pain so better treatments can be developed. Despite an enormous investment in time and money, almost no novel treatments for pain have been developed. There are many factors that contribute to this lack of translation in drug development. The mismatch between the goals of drug development in animals (inhibition of pain-evoked responses) and treatment in humans (restoration of function) is a major problem. To solve this problem, a number of pain-depressed behavioral tests have been developed to assess changes in normal behavior in laboratory animals. The use of home cage wheel running as a pain assessment tool is especially useful in that it is easy to use, provides an objective measurement of the magnitude and duration of pain, and is a clinically relevant method to screen novel drugs. Pain depresses activity in humans and animals, and effective analgesic treatments restore activity. Unlike traditional pain-evoked tests (e.g., hot plate, tail flick, von Frey test), restoration of home cage wheel running evaluates treatments for both antinociceptive efficacy and the absence of disruptive side effects (e.g., sedation, paralysis, nausea). This article reviews the literature using wheel running to assess pain and makes the case for home cage wheel running as an effective and clinically relevant method to screen novel analgesics for therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ram Kandasamy
- Department of Psychology, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA, USA
| | - Michael M. Morgan
- Department of Psychology, Washington State University Vancouver, Vancouver, WA, USA
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15
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Yuan G, Yang S, Gautam M, Luo W, Yang S. Macrophage regulator of G-protein signaling 12 contributes to inflammatory pain hypersensitivity. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2021; 9:448. [PMID: 33850845 PMCID: PMC8039686 DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-5729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Pain is a predominant symptom in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients that results from joint inflammation and is augmented by central sensitization. Regulator of G-protein signaling 12 (RGS12) is the largest protein in the RGS protein family and plays a key role in the development of inflammation. This study investigated the regulation of RGS12 in inflammatory pain and explored the underlying mechanisms and potential RA pain targets. Methods Macrophage-specific RGS12-deficient (LysM-Cre+;RGS12fl/fl) mice were generated by mating RGS12fl/fl mice with LysM-Cre+ transgenic mice. Collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) models were induced in LysM-Cre+;RGS12fl/fl mice by the administration of a cocktail of five monoclonal antibodies and LPS. Mouse nociception was examined using the von Frey and heat plate tests. Primary macrophages and RAW264.7 cells were used to analyze the regulatory function and mechanism of RGS12 in vitro. The expression and function of RGS12 and COX2 (cyclooxygenase 2) were determined by real-time PCR, ELISA, and luciferase assays. Results Ablation of RGS12 in macrophages decreased pain-related phenotypes, such as paw swelling, the clinical score, and the inflammatory score, in the CAIA model. LysM-Cre+;RGS12fl/fl mice displayed increased resistance to thermal and mechanical stimulation from day 3 to day 9 during CAIA, indicating the inhibition of inflammatory pain. Overexpression of COX2 and PGE2 in macrophages enhanced RGS12 expression, and PGE2 regulated RGS12 expression through the G-protein-coupled receptors EP2 and EP4. Furthermore, RGS12 or the RGS12 PTB domain strengthened the transcriptional regulation of COX2 by NF-κB, whereas inhibiting NF-κB suppressed RGS12-mediated regulation of COX2 in macrophages. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that the deletion of RGS12 in macrophages attenuates inflammatory pain, which is likely due to impaired regulation of the COX2/PGE2 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gongsheng Yuan
- Department of Basic and Translational Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shuting Yang
- Department of Basic and Translational Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mayank Gautam
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Wenqin Luo
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shuying Yang
- Department of Basic and Translational Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Center for Innovation & Precision Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,The Penn Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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16
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Regulators of G protein signalling as pharmacological targets for the treatment of neuropathic pain. Pharmacol Res 2020; 160:105148. [PMID: 32858121 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Neuropathic pain, a specific type of chronic pain resulting from persistent nervous tissue lesions, is a debilitating condition that affects about 7% of the population. This condition remains particularly difficult to treat because of the poor understanding of its underlying mechanisms. Drugs currently used to alleviate this chronic pain syndrome are of limited benefit due to their lack of efficacy and the elevated risk of side effects, especially after a prolonged period of treatment. Although drugs targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) also have several limitations, such as progressive loss of efficacy due to receptor desensitization or unavoidable side effects due to wide receptor distribution, the identification of several molecular partners that contribute to the fine-tuning of receptor activity has raised new opportunities for the development of alternative therapeutic approaches. Regulators of G protein signalling (RGS) act intracellularly by influencing the coupling process and activity of G proteins, and are amongst the best-characterized physiological modulators of GPCR. Changes in RGS expression have been documented in a range of models of neuropathic pain, or after prolonged treatment with diverse analgesics, and could participate in altered pain processing as well as impaired physiological or pharmacological control of nociceptive signals. The present review summarizes the experimental data that implicates RGS in the development of pain with focus on the pathological mechanisms of neuropathic pain, including the impact of neuropathic lesions on RGS expression and, reciprocally, the influence of modifying RGS on GPCRs involved in the modulation of nociception as well as on the outcome of pain. In this context, we address the question of the relevance of RGS as promising targets in the treatment of neuropathic pain.
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17
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Ehses J, Fernández-Moya SM, Schröger L, Kiebler MA. Synergistic regulation of Rgs4 mRNA by HuR and miR-26/RISC in neurons. RNA Biol 2020; 18:988-998. [PMID: 32779957 PMCID: PMC8216180 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2020.1795409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The negative regulator of G-protein signalling 4 (Rgs4) is linked to several neurologic diseases, e.g. schizophrenia, addiction, seizure and pain perception. Consequently, Rgs4 expression is tightly regulated, resulting in high mRNA and protein turnover. The post-transcriptional control of gene expression is mediated via RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that interact with mRNAs in a combinatorial fashion. Here, we show that in neurons the RBP HuR reduces endogenous Rgs4 expression by destabilizing Rgs4 mRNA. Interestingly, in smooth muscle cells, Rgs4 is stabilized by HuR, indicating tissue-dependent differences in HuR function. Using in vitro RNA-based pulldown experiments, we identify the functional AU-rich element (ARE) within the Rgs4 3ʹ-UTR that is recognized and bound by HuR. Bioinformatic analysis uncovered that this ARE lies within a highly conserved area next to a miR-26 binding site. We find that the neuronal-enriched miR-26 negatively influences Rgs4 expression in neurons. Further, HuR and miR-26 act synergistically in fluorescent reporter assays. Together, our data suggest a regulatory mechanism, in which an RBP selectively destabilizes a target mRNA in cooperation with a miRNA and the RISC machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janina Ehses
- BioMedical Center, Medical Faculty, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Sandra M Fernández-Moya
- BioMedical Center, Medical Faculty, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Luise Schröger
- BioMedical Center, Medical Faculty, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Michael A Kiebler
- BioMedical Center, Medical Faculty, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany
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18
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Sakloth F, Manouras L, Avrampou K, Mitsi V, Serafini RA, Pryce KD, Cogliani V, Berton O, Jarpe M, Zachariou V. HDAC6-selective inhibitors decrease nerve-injury and inflammation-associated mechanical hypersensitivity in mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:2139-2149. [PMID: 32388618 PMCID: PMC7470631 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05525-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND HDAC6 is a class IIB histone deacetylase expressed at many levels of the nociceptive pathway. This study tested the ability of novel and selective HDAC6 inhibitors to alleviate sensory hypersensitivity behaviors in mouse models of peripheral nerve injury and peripheral inflammation. METHODS We utilized the murine spared nerve injury (SNI) model for peripheral nerve injury and the Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) model of peripheral inflammation. We applied the Von Frey assay to monitor mechanical allodynia. RESULTS Using the SNI model, we demonstrate that daily administration of the brain-penetrant HDAC6 inhibitor, ACY-738, abolishes mechanical allodynia in male and in female mice. Importantly, there is no tolerance to the antiallodynic actions of these compounds as they produce a consistent increase in Von Frey thresholds for several weeks. We observed a similar antiallodynic effect when utilizing the HDAC6 inhibitor, ACY-257, which shows limited brain expression when administered systemically. We also demonstrate that ACY-738 and ACY-257 attenuate mechanical allodynia in the CFA model of peripheral inflammation. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our findings suggest that inhibition of HDAC6 provides a promising therapeutic avenue for the alleviation of mechanical allodynia associated with peripheral nerve injury and peripheral inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhana Sakloth
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Ave, Box 10-65, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Lefteris Manouras
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Ave, Box 10-65, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Kleopatra Avrampou
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Ave, Box 10-65, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Vasiliki Mitsi
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Ave, Box 10-65, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Randal A Serafini
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Ave, Box 10-65, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Kerri D Pryce
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Ave, Box 10-65, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Valeria Cogliani
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Ave, Box 10-65, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Olivier Berton
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Ave, Box 10-65, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Division of Neuroscience & Behavior, National institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 6001 Executive Blvd, Rm 4289, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Matthew Jarpe
- Regenacy Pharmaceuticals, 303 Wyman St, Suite 300, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Venetia Zachariou
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Ave, Box 10-65, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Ave, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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19
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Senese NB, Kandasamy R, Kochan KE, Traynor JR. Regulator of G-Protein Signaling (RGS) Protein Modulation of Opioid Receptor Signaling as a Potential Target for Pain Management. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:5. [PMID: 32038168 PMCID: PMC6992652 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid drugs are the gold standard for the management of pain, but their use is severely limited by dangerous and unpleasant side effects. All clinically available opioid analgesics bind to and activate the mu-opioid receptor (MOR), a heterotrimeric G-protein-coupled receptor, to produce analgesia. The activity of these receptors is modulated by a family of intracellular RGS proteins or regulators of G-protein signaling proteins, characterized by the presence of a conserved RGS Homology (RH) domain. These proteins act as negative regulators of G-protein signaling by serving as GTPase accelerating proteins or GAPS to switch off signaling by both the Gα and βγ subunits of heterotrimeric G-proteins. Consequently, knockdown or knockout of RGS protein activity enhances signaling downstream of MOR. In this review we discuss current knowledge of how this activity, across the different families of RGS proteins, modulates MOR activity, as well as activity of other members of the opioid receptor family, and so pain and analgesia in animal models, with particular emphasis on RGS4 and RGS9 families. We discuss inhibition of RGS proteins with small molecule inhibitors that bind to sensitive cysteine moieties in the RH domain and the potential for targeting this family of intracellular proteins as adjuncts to provide an opioid sparing effect or as standalone analgesics by promoting the activity of endogenous opioid peptides. Overall, we conclude that RGS proteins may be a novel drug target to provide analgesia with reduced opioid-like side effects, but that much basic work is needed to define the roles for specific RGS proteins, particularly in chronic pain, as well as a need to develop newer inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas B Senese
- Department of Pharmacology, Edward F. Domino Research Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Ram Kandasamy
- Department of Pharmacology, Edward F. Domino Research Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.,Department of Psychology, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA, United States
| | - Kelsey E Kochan
- Department of Pharmacology, Edward F. Domino Research Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - John R Traynor
- Department of Pharmacology, Edward F. Domino Research Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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