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Cole RH, Moussawi K, Joffe ME. Opioid modulation of prefrontal cortex cells and circuits. Neuropharmacology 2024; 248:109891. [PMID: 38417545 PMCID: PMC10939756 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.109891] [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: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Several neurochemical systems converge in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) to regulate cognitive and motivated behaviors. A rich network of endogenous opioid peptides and receptors spans multiple PFC cell types and circuits, and this extensive opioid system has emerged as a key substrate underlying reward, motivation, affective behaviors, and adaptations to stress. Here, we review the current evidence for dysregulated cortical opioid signaling in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders. We begin by providing an introduction to the basic anatomy and function of the cortical opioid system, followed by a discussion of endogenous and exogenous opioid modulation of PFC function at the behavioral, cellular, and synaptic level. Finally, we highlight the therapeutic potential of endogenous opioid targets in the treatment of psychiatric disorders, synthesizing clinical reports of altered opioid peptide and receptor expression and activity in human patients and summarizing new developments in opioid-based medications. This article is part of the Special Issue on "PFC circuit function in psychiatric disease and relevant models".
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca H Cole
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA; Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Center for Neuroscience University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Khaled Moussawi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA; Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Center for Neuroscience University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Max E Joffe
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA; Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Center for Neuroscience University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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2
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Boroń A, Suchanecka A, Chmielowiec K, Śmiarowska M, Chmielowiec J, Strońska-Pluta A, Recław R, Grzywacz A. OPRM1 Gene Polymorphism in Women with Alcohol Use Disorder. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3067. [PMID: 38474311 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25053067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The main aims of the present study were to explore the relationship of the OPRM1 gene rs1074287 polymorphism in alcohol-dependent women with their personality traits and to try to find out whether any specific features may influence alcohol cravings and be a prognostic for alcohol dependency and treatment in AUD women. Our study found a notable correlation between openness and the interaction of the ORIM1 gene and AUD. The alcohol use disorder subjects with genotype AG showed a higher level of openness compared to the control group with genotypes AG (p = 0.0001) and AA (p = 0.0125). The alcohol use disorder subjects with the AA genotype displayed higher levels of openness than the control group with genotype AG (p = 0.0271). However, the alcohol use disorder subjects with the AA genotype displayed lower levels of openness than the control group with genotype GG (p = 0.0212). Our study indicates that openness as a personality trait is correlated with the OPRM1 gene rs1074287 polymorphism in alcohol-dependent women. These are the first data and results exploring such a relationship between opioid and alcohol pathways and the mental construction of AUD women. Personality traits such as openness to experience and neuroticism might play major roles in the addiction mechanism, especially in genetically predisposed females, independent of the reward system involved in the emotional disturbances that coexist with anxiety and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Boroń
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biochemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72 St., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Suchanecka
- Independent Laboratory of Health Promotion, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72 St., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Chmielowiec
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Collegium Medicum, University of Zielona Góra, 28 Zyty St., 65-045 Zielona Góra, Poland
| | | | - Jolanta Chmielowiec
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Collegium Medicum, University of Zielona Góra, 28 Zyty St., 65-045 Zielona Góra, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Strońska-Pluta
- Independent Laboratory of Health Promotion, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72 St., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Remigiusz Recław
- Foundation Strong in the Spirit, 60 Sienkiewicza St., 90-058 Łódź, Poland
| | - Anna Grzywacz
- Independent Laboratory of Health Promotion, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72 St., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
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3
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Nisbett KE, Vendruscolo LF, Koob GF. µ-Opioid receptor antagonism facilitates the anxiolytic-like effect of oxytocin in mice. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:125. [PMID: 38413576 PMCID: PMC10899625 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02830-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Mood and anxiety disorders are leading causes of disability worldwide and are major contributors to the global burden of diseases. Neuropeptides, such as oxytocin and opioid peptides, are important for emotion regulation. Previous studies have demonstrated that oxytocin reduced depression- and anxiety-like behavior in male and female mice, and opioid receptor activation reduced depression-like behavior. However, it remains unclear whether the endogenous opioid system interacts with the oxytocin system to facilitate emotion regulation in male and female mice. We hypothesized that opioid receptor blockade would inhibit the anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects of oxytocin. In this study, we systemically administered naloxone, a preferential μ-opioid receptor antagonist, and then intracerebroventricularly administered oxytocin. We then tested mice on the elevated zero maze and the tail suspension tests, respective tests of anxiety- and depression-like behavior. Contrary to our initial hypothesis, naloxone potentiated the anxiolytic-like, but not the antidepressant-like, effect of oxytocin. Using a selective μ-opioid receptor antagonist, D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Arg-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH2, and a selective κ-opioid receptor antagonist, norbinaltorphimine, we demonstrate that μ-opioid receptor blockade potentiated the anxiolytic-like effect of oxytocin, whereas κ-opioid receptor blockade inhibited the oxytocin-induced anxiolytic-like effects. The present results suggest that endogenous opioids can regulate the oxytocin system to modulate anxiety-like behavior. Potential clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalin E Nisbett
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Graduate College, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.
- Stress & Addiction Neuroscience Unit, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
| | - Leandro F Vendruscolo
- Stress & Addiction Neuroscience Unit, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - George F Koob
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
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4
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Ikari T, Furusawa Y, Tabuchi Y, Maruyama Y, Hattori A, Kitani Y, Toyota K, Nagami A, Hirayama J, Watanabe K, Shigematsu A, Rafiuddin MA, Ogiso S, Fukushi K, Kuroda K, Hatano K, Sekiguchi T, Kawashima R, Srivastav AK, Nishiuchi T, Sakatoku A, Yoshida MA, Matsubara H, Suzuki N. Kynurenine promotes Calcitonin secretion and reduces cortisol in the Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8700. [PMID: 37248272 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35222-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Deep ocean water (DOW) exerts positive effects on the growth of marine organisms, suggesting the presence of unknown component(s) that facilitate their aquaculture. We observed that DOW suppressed plasma cortisol (i.e., a stress marker) concentration in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) reared under high-density condition. RNA-sequencing analysis of flounder brains showed that when compared to surface seawater (SSW)-reared fish, DOW-reared fish had lower expression of hypothalamic (i.e., corticotropin-releasing hormone) and pituitary (i.e., proopiomelanocortin, including adrenocorticotropic hormone) hormone-encoding genes. Moreover, DOW-mediated regulation of gene expression was linked to decreased blood cortisol concentration in DOW-reared fish. Our results indicate that DOW activated osteoblasts in fish scales and facilitated the production of Calcitonin, a hypocalcemic hormone that acts as an analgesic. We then provide evidence that the Calcitonin produced is involved in the regulatory network of genes controlling cortisol secretion. In addition, the indole component kynurenine was identified as the component responsible for osteoblast activation in DOW. Furthermore, kynurenine increased plasma Calcitonin concentrations in flounders reared under high-density condition, while it decreased plasma cortisol concentration. Taken together, we propose that kynurenine in DOW exerts a cortisol-reducing effect in flounders by facilitating Calcitonin production by osteoblasts in the scales.
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Grants
- 22009, 22015, 22016, 22017, 22044 The cooperative research program of the Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University
- 22009, 22015, 22016, 22017, 22044 The cooperative research program of the Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University
- 22009, 22015, 22016, 22017, 22044 The cooperative research program of the Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University
- 22009, 22015, 22016, 22017, 22044 The cooperative research program of the Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University
- 22009, 22015, 22016, 22017, 22044 The cooperative research program of the Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University
- 20K06718, 21K05725, 22J01508 JSPS
- 20K06718, 21K05725, 22J01508 JSPS
- 20K06718, 21K05725, 22J01508 JSPS
- 2209 The Salt Science Research Foundation
- JPMJTM19AP JST
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Ikari
- Noto Marine Laboratory, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, Ogi, Noto-Cho, Ishikawa, 927-0553, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Furusawa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Toyama Prefectural University, Kurokawa, Toyama, 939-0398, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Tabuchi
- Life Science Research Center, University of Toyama, Sugitani, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan
| | - Yusuke Maruyama
- Department of Biology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Ichikawa, Chiba, 272-0827, Japan
| | - Atsuhiko Hattori
- Department of Biology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Ichikawa, Chiba, 272-0827, Japan
| | - Yoichiro Kitani
- Noto Marine Laboratory, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, Ogi, Noto-Cho, Ishikawa, 927-0553, Japan
| | - Kenji Toyota
- Noto Marine Laboratory, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, Ogi, Noto-Cho, Ishikawa, 927-0553, Japan
| | - Arata Nagami
- Noto Center for Fisheries Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Osaka, Noto-Cho, Ishikawa, 927-0552, Japan
| | - Jun Hirayama
- Department of Clinical Engineering, Faculty of Health Sciences, Komatsu University, Komatsu, Ishikawa, 923-0961, Japan
| | - Kazuki Watanabe
- Department of Biology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Ichikawa, Chiba, 272-0827, Japan
- Department of Clinical Engineering, Faculty of Health Sciences, Komatsu University, Komatsu, Ishikawa, 923-0961, Japan
| | - Atsushi Shigematsu
- Noto Center for Fisheries Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Osaka, Noto-Cho, Ishikawa, 927-0552, Japan
| | - Muhammad Ahya Rafiuddin
- Noto Center for Fisheries Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Osaka, Noto-Cho, Ishikawa, 927-0552, Japan
| | - Shouzo Ogiso
- Noto Marine Laboratory, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, Ogi, Noto-Cho, Ishikawa, 927-0553, Japan
| | - Keisuke Fukushi
- Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, Kakuma, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Kohei Kuroda
- Noto Marine Laboratory, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, Ogi, Noto-Cho, Ishikawa, 927-0553, Japan
| | - Kaito Hatano
- Noto Marine Laboratory, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, Ogi, Noto-Cho, Ishikawa, 927-0553, Japan
| | - Toshio Sekiguchi
- Noto Marine Laboratory, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, Ogi, Noto-Cho, Ishikawa, 927-0553, Japan
| | - Ryotaro Kawashima
- Department of Clinical Engineering, Faculty of Health Sciences, Komatsu University, Komatsu, Ishikawa, 923-0961, Japan
| | - Ajai K Srivastav
- Department of Zoology, D.D.U. Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur, 273-009, India
| | - Takumi Nishiuchi
- Bioscience Core Facility, Research Center for Experimental Modeling of Human Disease, Kanazawa University, Takara-Machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Akihiro Sakatoku
- School of Science, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
| | - Masa-Aki Yoshida
- Marine Biological Science Section, Education and Research Center for Biological Resources, Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, Shimane University, Oki, Shimane, 685-0024, Japan
| | - Hajime Matsubara
- Noto Center for Fisheries Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Osaka, Noto-Cho, Ishikawa, 927-0552, Japan
| | - Nobuo Suzuki
- Noto Marine Laboratory, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, Ogi, Noto-Cho, Ishikawa, 927-0553, Japan.
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Belo TCA, Santos GX, da Silva BEG, Rocha BLG, Abdala DW, Freire LAM, Rocha FS, Galdino G. IL-10/β-Endorphin-Mediated Neuroimmune Modulation on Microglia during Antinociception. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13050789. [PMID: 37239261 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13050789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Microglia are glial cells centrally related to pathophysiology and neuroimmunological regulation of pain through microglia-neuron crosstalk mechanisms. In contrast, anti-inflammatory mechanisms guided by immunological effectors such as IL-10 trigger the secretion of analgesic substances, culminating in the differential expression of genes encoding endogenous opioid peptides, especially β-endorphin. Thus, when β-endorphin binds to the µ-opioid receptor, it generates neuronal hyperpolarization, inhibiting nociceptive stimuli. This review aimed to summarize the recent advances in understanding the mechanism by which IL-10/β-endorphin can reduce pain. For this, databases were searched for articles from their inception up until November 2022. Two independent reviewers extracted the data and assessed the methodological quality of the included studies, and seventeen studies were considered eligible for this review. Several studies have demonstrated the impact of IL-10/β-endorphin in reducing pain, where IL-10 can stimulate GLP-1R, GRP40, and α7nAChR receptors, as well as intracellular signaling pathways, such as STAT3, resulting in increased β-endorphin expression and secretion. In addition, molecules such as gabapentinoids, thalidomide, cynandione A, morroniside, lemairamin, and cinobufagin, as well as non-pharmacological treatments such as electroacupuncture, reduce pain through IL-10 mediated mechanisms, reflecting a microglia-dependent β-endorphin differential increase. This process represents a cornerstone in pain neuroimmunology knowledge, and the results obtained by different studies about the theme are presented in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriela Xavier Santos
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunobiology of Pain, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Brazil
| | | | | | - Dennis William Abdala
- Laboratory of Movement Analysis, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Brazil
| | - Larissa Alves Moreira Freire
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Neuroimmunomodulation and Pain Study, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Santos Rocha
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunobiology of Pain, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Brazil
| | - Giovane Galdino
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunobiology of Pain, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Brazil
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6
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Piekielna-Ciesielska J, Malfacini D, Djeujo FM, Marconato C, Wtorek K, Calo' G, Janecka A. Functional selectivity of EM-2 analogs at the mu-opioid receptor. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1133961. [PMID: 36909169 PMCID: PMC9998502 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1133961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The mu opioid receptor agonists are the most efficacious pain controlling agents but their use is accompanied by severe side effects. More recent developments indicate that some ligands can differentially activate receptor downstream pathways, possibly allowing for dissociation of analgesia mediated through the G protein from the opioid-related side effects mediated by β-arrestin pathway. In an effort to identify such biased ligands, here we present a series of thirteen endomorphin-2 (EM-2) analogs with modifications in positions 1, 2, and/or 3. All obtained analogs behaved as mu receptor selective agonists in calcium mobilization assay carried out on cells expressing opioid receptors and chimeric G proteins. A Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer (BRET) approach was employed to determine the ability of analogs to promote the interaction of the mu opioid receptor with G protein or β-arrestin 2. Nearly half of the developed analogs showed strong bias towards G protein, in addition four compounds were nearly inactive towards β-arrestin 2 recruitment while blocking the propensity of EM-2 to evoke mu-β-arrestin 2 interaction. The data presented here contribute to our understanding of EM-2 interaction with the mu opioid receptor and of the transductional propagation of the signal. In addition, the generation of potent and selective mu receptor agonists strongly biased towards G protein provides the scientific community with novel tools to investigate the in vivo consequences of biased agonism at this receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Davide Malfacini
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Francine Medjiofack Djeujo
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Chantal Marconato
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Karol Wtorek
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Girolamo Calo'
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Anna Janecka
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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7
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Toussaint AB, Foster W, Jones JM, Kaufmann S, Wachira M, Hughes R, Bongiovanni AR, Famularo ST, Dunham BP, Schwark R, Karbalaei R, Dressler C, Bavley CC, Fried NT, Wimmer ME, Abdus-Saboor I. Chronic paternal morphine exposure increases sensitivity to morphine-derived pain relief in male progeny. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabk2425. [PMID: 35171664 PMCID: PMC8849295 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abk2425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Parental history of opioid exposure is seldom considered when prescribing opioids for pain relief. To explore whether parental opioid exposure may affect sensitivity to morphine in offspring, we developed a "rat pain scale" with high-speed imaging, machine learning, and mathematical modeling in a multigenerational model of paternal morphine self-administration. We find that the most commonly used tool to measure mechanical sensitivity in rodents, the von Frey hair, is not painful in rats during baseline conditions. We also find that male progeny of morphine-treated sires had no baseline changes in mechanical pain sensitivity but were more sensitive to the pain-relieving effects of morphine. Using RNA sequencing across pain-relevant brain regions, we identify gene expression changes within the regulator of G protein signaling family of proteins that may underlie this multigenerational phenotype. Together, this rat pain scale revealed that paternal opioid exposure increases sensitivity to morphine's pain-relieving effects in male offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre B. Toussaint
- Department of Psychology, Program in Neuroscience Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - William Foster
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jessica M. Jones
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Samuel Kaufmann
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Meghan Wachira
- Department of Biology, Rutgers Camden University, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Robert Hughes
- Department of Biology, Rutgers Camden University, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Angela R. Bongiovanni
- Department of Psychology, Program in Neuroscience Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sydney T. Famularo
- Department of Psychology, Program in Neuroscience Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Benjamin P. Dunham
- Department of Psychology, Program in Neuroscience Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ryan Schwark
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Reza Karbalaei
- Department of Psychology, Program in Neuroscience Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Carmen Dressler
- Department of Psychology, Program in Neuroscience Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Charlotte C. Bavley
- Department of Psychology, Program in Neuroscience Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nathan T. Fried
- Department of Biology, Rutgers Camden University, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Mathieu E. Wimmer
- Department of Psychology, Program in Neuroscience Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ishmail Abdus-Saboor
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Corresponding author.
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8
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Montagud-Romero S, Cantacorps L, Fernández-Gómez FJ, Núñez C, Miñarro J, Rodríguez-Arias M, Milanés MV, Valverde O. Unraveling the molecular mechanisms involved in alcohol intake and withdrawal in adolescent mice exposed to alcohol during early life stages. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 104:110025. [PMID: 32599136 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol interferes with foetal development and prenatal alcohol exposure can lead to adverse effects known as foetal alcohol spectrum disorders. We aimed to assess the underlying neurobiological mechanisms involved in alcohol intake and withdrawal in adolescent mice exposed to alcohol during early life stages, in discrete brain areas. Pregnant C57BL/6 female mice were exposed to binge alcohol drinking from gestation to weaning. Subsequently, alcohol seeking and taking behaviour were evaluated in male adolescent offspring, as assessed in the two-bottle choice and oral self-administration paradigms. Brain area samples were analysed to quantify AMPAR subunits GluR1/2 and pCREB/CREB expression following alcohol self-administration. We measured the expression of mu and kappa opioid receptors both during acute alcohol withdrawal (assessing anxiety alterations by the EPM test) and following reinstatement in the two-bottle choice paradigm. In addition, alcohol metabolism was analysed by measuring blood alcohol concentrations under an acute dose of 3 g/kg alcohol. Our findings demonstrate that developmental alcohol exposure enhances alcohol intake during adolescence, which is associated with a decrease in the pCREB/CREB ratio in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and striatum, while the GluR1/GluR2 ratio showed a decrease in the hippocampus. Moreover, PLAE mice showed behavioural alterations, such as increased anxiety-like responses during acute alcohol withdrawal, and higher BAC levels. No significant changes were identified for mu and kappa opioid receptors mRNA expression. The current study highlights that early alcohol exposed mice increased alcohol consumption during late adolescence. Furthermore, a diminished CREB signalling and glutamatergic neuroplasticity are proposed as underpinning neurobiological mechanisms involved in the sensitivity to alcohol reinforcing properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Montagud-Romero
- Neurobiology of Behaviour Research Group (GReNeC-NeuroBio), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lídia Cantacorps
- Neurobiology of Behaviour Research Group (GReNeC-NeuroBio), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francisco José Fernández-Gómez
- Murcia Research Institute of Health Sciences (IMIB), Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Cristina Núñez
- Murcia Research Institute of Health Sciences (IMIB), Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - José Miñarro
- Department of Psychobiology, Facultad de Psicología, Universitat de Valencia, Avda. Blasco Ibáñez, 21, 46010 Valencia, Spain; Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en Salud (RETICS-Trastornos Adictivos), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Rodríguez-Arias
- Department of Psychobiology, Facultad de Psicología, Universitat de Valencia, Avda. Blasco Ibáñez, 21, 46010 Valencia, Spain; Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en Salud (RETICS-Trastornos Adictivos), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Victoria Milanés
- Murcia Research Institute of Health Sciences (IMIB), Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Olga Valverde
- Neurobiology of Behaviour Research Group (GReNeC-NeuroBio), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en Salud (RETICS-Trastornos Adictivos), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, Madrid, Spain; IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Neurosciences Programme, Barcelona, Spain.
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9
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Piekielna-Ciesielska J, Wtorek K, Janecka A. Biased Agonism as an Emerging Strategy in the Search for Better Opioid Analgesics. Curr Med Chem 2020; 27:1562-1575. [PMID: 31057099 DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666190506103124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Morphine and related drugs that act through activating opioid receptors are the most effective analgesics for the relief of severe pain. They have been used for decades, despite the range of unwanted side effects that they produce, as no alternative has been found so far. The major goal of opioid research is to understand the mechanism of action of opioid receptor agonists and to improve the therapeutic utility of opioid drugs. In the search for safer and more potent analgesics, analogs with mixed opioid receptor profile gained a lot of interest. However, recently the concept of biased agonism, that highlights the fact that some ligands are able to differentially activate receptor downstream pathways, became a new approach in the design of novel drug candidates for clinical application. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the development of opioid ligands of peptide and nonpeptide structure, showing how much opioid pharmacology evolved in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karol Wtorek
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Medical University, Mazowiecka 6/8, 92-215 Lodz, Poland
| | - Anna Janecka
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Medical University, Mazowiecka 6/8, 92-215 Lodz, Poland
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10
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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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11
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Caputi FF, Rullo L, Stamatakos S, Candeletti S, Romualdi P. Interplay between the Endogenous Opioid System and Proteasome Complex: Beyond Signaling. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20061441. [PMID: 30901925 PMCID: PMC6470665 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20061441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Intracellular signaling mechanisms underlying the opioid system regulation of nociception, neurotransmitters release, stress responses, depression, and the modulation of reward circuitry have been investigated from different points of view. The presence of the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) in the synaptic terminations suggest a potential role of ubiquitin-dependent mechanisms in the control of the membrane occupancy by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), including those belonging to the opioid family. In this review, we focused our attention on the role played by the ubiquitination processes and by UPS in the modulation of opioid receptor signaling and in pathological conditions involving the endogenous opioid system. The collective evidence here reported highlights the potential usefulness of proteasome inhibitors in neuropathic pain, addictive behavior, and analgesia since these molecules can reduce pain behavioral signs, heroin self-administration, and the development of morphine analgesic tolerance. Moreover, the complex mechanisms involved in the effects induced by opioid agonists binding to their receptors include the ubiquitination process as a post-translational modification which plays a relevant role in receptor trafficking and degradation. Hence, UPS modulation may offer novel opportunities to control the balance between therapeutic versus adverse effects evoked by opioid receptor activation, thus, representing a promising druggable target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Felicia Caputi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Laura Rullo
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Serena Stamatakos
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Sanzio Candeletti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Patrizia Romualdi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
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12
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Gach-Janczak K, Piekielna-Ciesielska J, Adamska-Bartłomiejczyk A, Wtorek K, Ferrari F, Calo' G, Szymaszkiewicz A, Piasecka-Zelga J, Janecka A. In vitro and in vivo activity of cyclopeptide Dmt-c[d-Lys-Phe-Asp]NH 2, a mu opioid receptor agonist biased toward β-arrestin. Peptides 2018; 105:51-57. [PMID: 29684591 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2018.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Revised: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Morphine and related drugs, which are the most effective analgesics for the relief of severe pain, act through activating opioid receptors. The endogenous ligands of these receptors are opioid peptides which cannot be used as antinociceptive agents due to their low bioactivity and stability in biological fluids. The major goal of opioid research is to understand the mechanism of action of opioid receptor agonists in order to improve therapeutic utility of opioids. Analgesic effects of morphine are mediated mostly through activation of the mu opioid receptor. However, in the search for safer and more effective drug candidates, analogs with mixed opioid receptor profile gained a lot of interest. Recently, the concept of biased agonists able to differentially activate GPCR downstream pathways, became a new approach in the design of novel drug candidates. It is hypothesized that compounds promoting G-protein signaling may produce analgesia while β-arrestin recruitment may be responsible for opioid side effects. In this report we showed that replacement of the tyrosine residue in the mu-selective ligand Tyr-c[d-Lys-Phe-Asp]NH2 with 2',6'-dimethyltyrosine (Dmt) produced a cyclopeptide Dmt-c[d-Lys-Phe-Asp]NH2 with mu/delta opioid receptor agonist profile. This analog showed improved antinociception in the hot-plate test, probably due to the simultaneous activation of mu and delta receptors but also significantly inhibited the gastrointestinal transit. Using the bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) assay it was shown that this analog was a mu receptor agonist biased toward β-arrestin. β-Arrestin-dependent signaling is most likely responsible for the observed inhibition of gastrointestinal motility exerted by the novel cyclopeptide.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Karol Wtorek
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Medical University, Lodz, Poland
| | - Federica Ferrari
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Italian Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Girolamo Calo'
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Italian Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Agata Szymaszkiewicz
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Poland
| | - Joanna Piasecka-Zelga
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Research Laboratory for Medicine and Veterinary Products in the GMP Head of Research Laboratory for Medicine and Veterinary Products, Lodz, Poland
| | - Anna Janecka
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Medical University, Lodz, Poland.
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13
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Abstract
Opioids are the most commonly used and effective analgesic treatments for severe pain, but they have recently come under scrutiny owing to epidemic levels of abuse and overdose. These compounds act on the endogenous opioid system, which comprises four G protein-coupled receptors (mu, delta, kappa, and nociceptin) and four major peptide families (β-endorphin, enkephalins, dynorphins, and nociceptin/orphanin FQ). In this review, we first describe the functional organization and pharmacology of the endogenous opioid system. We then summarize current knowledge on the signaling mechanisms by which opioids regulate neuronal function and neurotransmission. Finally, we discuss the loci of opioid analgesic action along peripheral and central pain pathways, emphasizing the pain-relieving properties of opioids against the affective dimension of the pain experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Corder
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 94304, USA; .,Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 94304, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 94304, USA.,Stanford Neurosciences Institute, Palo Alto, California 94304, USA
| | - Daniel C Castro
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA;
| | - Michael R Bruchas
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA; .,Division of Basic Research, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA.,Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
| | - Grégory Scherrer
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 94304, USA; .,Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 94304, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 94304, USA.,Stanford Neurosciences Institute, Palo Alto, California 94304, USA.,New York Stem Cell Foundation - Robertson Investigator, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 94304, USA
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14
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Piekielna-Ciesielska J, Ferrari F, Calo' G, Janecka A. Cyclopeptide Dmt-[D-Lys-p-CF 3-Phe-Phe-Asp]NH 2, a novel G protein-biased agonist of the mu opioid receptor. Peptides 2018; 101:227-233. [PMID: 29196181 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2017.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Revised: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Opioid peptides and alkaloid drugs such as morphine, mediate their analgesic effects, but also undesired side effects, mostly through activation of the mu opioid receptor which belongs to the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family. A new important pharmacological concept in the field of GPCRs is biased agonism. Two mu receptor ligands, Dmt-c[D-Lys-Phe-Phe-Asp]NH2 (C-36) and Dmt-c[D-Lys-Phe-p-CF3-Phe-Asp]NH2 (F-81), were evaluated in terms of their ability to promote or block mu receptor/G protein and mu receptor/β-arrestin interactions. Using the bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) assay it was shown that C-36 activated both, G protein and β-arrestin pathways. Incorporation of trifluoromethyl group into the aromatic ring of phenylalanine in the sequence of F-81 led to activation of G-protein pathway rather than β-arrestin recruitment. Opioid cyclopeptide F-81 turned out to be a biased G protein mu receptor agonist. Such biased ligands are able to separate the biological actions of an activated receptor and have the potential to become more effective drug candidates with fewer side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Federica Ferrari
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Italian Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Girolamo Calo'
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Italian Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Anna Janecka
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
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15
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François A, Scherrer G. Delta Opioid Receptor Expression and Function in Primary Afferent Somatosensory Neurons. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2017; 247:87-114. [PMID: 28993838 DOI: 10.1007/164_2017_58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The functional diversity of primary afferent neurons of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) generates a variety of qualitatively and quantitatively distinct somatosensory experiences, from shooting pain to pleasant touch. In recent years, the identification of dozens of genetic markers specifically expressed by subpopulations of DRG neurons has dramatically improved our understanding of this diversity and provided the tools to manipulate their activity and uncover their molecular identity and function. Opioid receptors have long been known to be expressed by discrete populations of DRG neurons, in which they regulate cell excitability and neurotransmitter release. We review recent insights into the identity of the DRG neurons that express the delta opioid receptor (DOR) and the ion channel mechanisms that DOR engages in these cells to regulate sensory input. We highlight recent findings derived from DORGFP reporter mice and from in situ hybridization and RNA sequencing studies in wild-type mice that revealed DOR presence in cutaneous mechanosensory afferents eliciting touch and implicated in tactile allodynia. Mechanistically, we describe how DOR modulates opening of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) to control glutamatergic neurotransmission between somatosensory neurons and postsynaptic neurons in the spinal cord dorsal horn. We additionally discuss other potential signaling mechanisms, including those involving potassium channels, which DOR may engage to fine tune somatosensation. We conclude by discussing how this knowledge may explain the analgesic properties of DOR agonists against mechanical pain and uncovers an unanticipated specialized function for DOR in cutaneous mechanosensation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaury François
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Grégory Scherrer
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA. .,Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA. .,Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
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16
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Yaksh TL, Fisher CJ, Hockman TM, Wiese AJ. Current and Future Issues in the Development of Spinal Agents for the Management of Pain. Curr Neuropharmacol 2017; 15:232-259. [PMID: 26861470 PMCID: PMC5412694 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x14666160307145542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Revised: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting analgesic drugs for spinal delivery reflects the fact that while the conscious experience of pain is mediated supraspinally, input initiated by high intensity stimuli, tissue injury and/or nerve injury is encoded at the level of the spinal dorsal horn and this output informs the brain as to the peripheral environment. This encoding process is subject to strong upregulation resulting in hyperesthetic states and downregulation reducing the ongoing processing of nociceptive stimuli reversing the hyperesthesia and pain processing. The present review addresses the biology of spinal nociceptive processing as relevant to the effects of intrathecally-delivered drugs in altering pain processing following acute stimulation, tissue inflammation/injury and nerve injury. The review covers i) the major classes of spinal agents currently employed as intrathecal analgesics (opioid agonists, alpha 2 agonists; sodium channel blockers; calcium channel blockers; NMDA blockers; GABA A/B agonists; COX inhibitors; ii) ongoing developments in the pharmacology of spinal therapeutics focusing on less studied agents/targets (cholinesterase inhibition; Adenosine agonists; iii) novel intrathecal targeting methodologies including gene-based approaches (viral vectors, plasmids, interfering RNAs); antisense, and toxins (botulinum toxins; resniferatoxin, substance P Saporin); and iv) issues relevant to intrathecal drug delivery (neuraxial drug distribution), infusate delivery profile, drug dosing, formulation and principals involved in the preclinical evaluation of intrathecal drug safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony L. Yaksh
- University of California, San Diego, Anesthesia Research Lab 0818, 9500 Gilman Dr. LaJolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Casey J. Fisher
- University of California, San Diego, Anesthesia Research Lab 0818, 9500 Gilman Dr. LaJolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Tyler M. Hockman
- University of California, San Diego, Anesthesia Research Lab 0818, 9500 Gilman Dr. LaJolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Ashley J. Wiese
- University of California, San Diego, Anesthesia Research Lab 0818, 9500 Gilman Dr. LaJolla, CA 92093, USA
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17
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Chidiac P. RGS proteins destroy spare receptors: Effects of GPCR-interacting proteins and signal deamplification on measurements of GPCR agonist potency. Methods 2016; 92:87-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2015.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Revised: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 08/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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18
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Cong X, Campomanes P, Kless A, Schapitz I, Wagener M, Koch T, Carloni P. Structural Determinants for the Binding of Morphinan Agonists to the μ-Opioid Receptor. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0135998. [PMID: 26280453 PMCID: PMC4539194 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2015] [Accepted: 07/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Atomistic descriptions of the μ-opioid receptor (μOR) noncovalently binding with two of its prototypical morphinan agonists, morphine (MOP) and hydromorphone (HMP), are investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Subtle differences between the binding modes and hydration properties of MOP and HMP emerge from the calculations. Alchemical free energy perturbation calculations show qualitative agreement with in vitro experiments performed in this work: indeed, the binding free energy difference between MOP and HMP computed by forward and backward alchemical transformation is 1.2±1.1 and 0.8±0.8 kcal/mol, respectively, to be compared with 0.4±0.3 kcal/mol from experiment. Comparison with an MD simulation of μOR covalently bound with the antagonist β-funaltrexamine hints to agonist-induced conformational changes associated with an early event of the receptor’s activation: a shift of the transmembrane helix 6 relative to the transmembrane helix 3 and a consequent loss of the key R165-T279 interhelical hydrogen bond. This finding is consistent with a previous proposal suggesting that the R165-T279 hydrogen bond between these two helices indicates an inactive receptor conformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Cong
- Laboratory of Computational Biophysics, German Research School for Simulation Sciences GmbH, Joint venture of RWTH Aachen University and Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Computational Biomedicine section (IAS-5), Institute of Advanced Simulation (IAS), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Computational Biomedicine section (INM-9), Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Pablo Campomanes
- Laboratory of Computational Biophysics, German Research School for Simulation Sciences GmbH, Joint venture of RWTH Aachen University and Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Computational Biomedicine section (IAS-5), Institute of Advanced Simulation (IAS), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Computational Biomedicine section (INM-9), Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Achim Kless
- Grünenthal Innovation, Grünenthal GmbH, 52078 Aachen, Germany
| | - Inga Schapitz
- Grünenthal Innovation, Grünenthal GmbH, 52078 Aachen, Germany
| | - Markus Wagener
- Grünenthal Innovation, Grünenthal GmbH, 52078 Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Koch
- Grünenthal Innovation, Grünenthal GmbH, 52078 Aachen, Germany
| | - Paolo Carloni
- Laboratory of Computational Biophysics, German Research School for Simulation Sciences GmbH, Joint venture of RWTH Aachen University and Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Computational Biomedicine section (IAS-5), Institute of Advanced Simulation (IAS), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Computational Biomedicine section (INM-9), Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- * E-mail:
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19
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Malfacini D, Ambrosio C, Gro’ MC, Sbraccia M, Trapella C, Guerrini R, Bonora M, Pinton P, Costa T, Calo’ G. Pharmacological Profile of Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ Receptors Interacting with G-Proteins and β-Arrestins 2. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0132865. [PMID: 26248189 PMCID: PMC4527783 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) controls several biological functions by selectively activating an opioid like receptor named N/OFQ peptide receptor (NOP). Biased agonism is emerging as an important and therapeutically relevant pharmacological concept in the field of G protein coupled receptors including opioids. To evaluate the relevance of this phenomenon in the NOP receptor, we used a bioluminescence resonance energy transfer technology to measure the interactions of the NOP receptor with either G proteins or β-arrestin 2 in the absence and in presence of increasing concentration of ligands. A large panel of receptor ligands was investigated by comparing their ability to promote or block NOP/G protein and NOP/arrestin interactions. In this study we report a systematic analysis of the functional selectivity of NOP receptor ligands. NOP/G protein interactions (investigated in cell membranes) allowed a precise estimation of both ligand potency and efficacy yielding data highly consistent with the known pharmacological profile of this receptor. The same panel of ligands displayed marked differences in the ability to promote NOP/β-arrestin 2 interactions (evaluated in whole cells). In particular, full agonists displayed a general lower potency and for some ligands an inverted rank order of potency was noted. Most partial agonists behaved as pure competitive antagonists of receptor/arrestin interaction. Antagonists displayed similar values of potency for NOP/Gβ1 or NOP/β-arrestin 2 interaction. Using N/OFQ as reference ligand we computed the bias factors of NOP ligands and a number of agonists with greater efficacy at G protein coupling were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. Malfacini
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - C. Ambrosio
- Department of Pharmacology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - M. C. Gro’
- Department of Pharmacology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - M. Sbraccia
- Department of Pharmacology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - C. Trapella
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - R. Guerrini
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - M. Bonora
- Department of Morphology, Surgery, and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pathology, Oncology, and Experimental Biology and LTTA, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - P. Pinton
- Department of Morphology, Surgery, and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pathology, Oncology, and Experimental Biology and LTTA, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - T. Costa
- Department of Pharmacology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - G. Calo’
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- * E-mail:
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20
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Frankowski KJ, Slauson SR, Lovell KM, Phillips AM, Streicher JM, Zhou L, Whipple DA, Schoenen FJ, Prisinzano TE, Bohn LM, Aubé J. Potency enhancement of the κ-opioid receptor antagonist probe ML140 through sulfonamide constraint utilizing a tetrahydroisoquinoline motif. Bioorg Med Chem 2015; 23:3948-56. [PMID: 25593096 PMCID: PMC4468036 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2014.12.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2014] [Revised: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Optimization of the sulfonamide-based kappa opioid receptor (KOR) antagonist probe molecule ML140 through constraint of the sulfonamide nitrogen within a tetrahydroisoquinoline moiety afforded a marked increase in potency. This strategy, when combined with additional structure-activity relationship exploration, has led to a compound only six-fold less potent than norBNI, a widely utilized KOR antagonist tool compound, but significantly more synthetically accessible. The new optimized probe is suitably potent for use as an in vivo tool to investigate the therapeutic potential of KOR antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin J Frankowski
- University of Kansas Specialized Chemistry Center, 2034 Becker Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047-3761, USA
| | - Stephen R Slauson
- University of Kansas Specialized Chemistry Center, 2034 Becker Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047-3761, USA
| | - Kimberly M Lovell
- Departments of Molecular Therapeutics and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, #2A2, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Angela M Phillips
- Departments of Molecular Therapeutics and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, #2A2, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - John M Streicher
- Departments of Molecular Therapeutics and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, #2A2, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Lei Zhou
- Departments of Molecular Therapeutics and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, #2A2, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - David A Whipple
- University of Kansas Specialized Chemistry Center, 2034 Becker Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047-3761, USA
| | - Frank J Schoenen
- University of Kansas Specialized Chemistry Center, 2034 Becker Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047-3761, USA
| | - Thomas E Prisinzano
- University of Kansas Specialized Chemistry Center, 2034 Becker Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047-3761, USA
| | - Laura M Bohn
- Departments of Molecular Therapeutics and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, #2A2, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA.
| | - Jeffrey Aubé
- University of Kansas Specialized Chemistry Center, 2034 Becker Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047-3761, USA.
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Klenowski P, Morgan M, Bartlett SE. The role of δ-opioid receptors in learning and memory underlying the development of addiction. Br J Pharmacol 2014; 172:297-310. [PMID: 24641428 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2013] [Revised: 01/10/2014] [Accepted: 01/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Opioids are important endogenous ligands that exist in both invertebrates and vertebrates and signal by activation of opioid receptors to produce analgesia and reward or pleasure. The μ-opioid receptor is the best known of the opioid receptors and mediates the acute analgesic effects of opiates, while the δ-opioid receptor (DOR) has been less well studied and has been linked to effects that follow from chronic use of opiates such as stress, inflammation and anxiety. Recently, DORs have been shown to play an essential role in emotions and increasing evidence points to a role in learning actions and outcomes. The process of learning and memory in addiction has been proposed to involve strengthening of specific brain circuits when a drug is paired with a context or environment. The DOR is highly expressed in the hippocampus, amygdala, striatum and other basal ganglia structures known to participate in learning and memory. In this review, we will focus on the role of the DOR and its potential role in learning and memory underlying the development of addiction. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Opioids: New Pathways to Functional Selectivity. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2015.172.issue-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Klenowski
- Translational Research Institute, Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Nanoscale effects of ethanol and naltrexone on protein organization in the plasma membrane studied by photoactivated localization microscopy (PALM). PLoS One 2014; 9:e87225. [PMID: 24503624 PMCID: PMC3913589 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2013] [Accepted: 12/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ethanol affects the signaling of several important neurotransmitter and neuromodulator systems in the CNS. It has been recently proposed that ethanol alters the dynamic lateral organization of proteins and lipids in the plasma membrane, thereby affecting surface receptor-mediated cellular signaling. Our aims are to establish whether pharmacologically relevant levels of ethanol can affect the lateral organization of plasma membrane and cytoskeletal proteins at the nanoscopic level, and investigate the relevance of such perturbations for mu-opioid receptor (MOP) function. Methodology/Principal Findings We used Photoactivated Localization Microscopy with pair-correlation analysis (pcPALM), a quantitative fluorescence imaging technique with high spatial resolution (15–25 nm) and single-molecule sensitivity, to study ethanol effects on protein organization in the plasma membrane. We observed that short (20 min) exposure to 20 and 40 mM ethanol alters protein organization in the plasma membrane of cells that harbor endogenous MOPs, causing a rearrangement of the lipid raft marker glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI). These effects could be largely occluded by pretreating the cells with the MOP antagonist naltrexone (200 nM for 3 hours). In addition, ethanol induced pronounced actin polymerization, leading to its partial co-localization with GPI. Conclusions/Significance Pharmacologically relevant levels of ethanol alter the lateral organization of GPI-linked proteins and induce actin cytoskeleton reorganization. Pretreatment with the MOP antagonist naltrexone is protective against ethanol action and significantly reduces the extent to which ethanol remodels the lateral organization of lipid-rafts-associated proteins in the plasma membrane. Super-resolution pcPALM reveals details of ethanol action at the nanoscale level, giving new mechanistic insight on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of its action.
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