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Barakat A, Munro G, Heegaard AM. Finding new analgesics: Computational pharmacology faces drug discovery challenges. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 222:116091. [PMID: 38412924 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116091] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Despite the worldwide prevalence and huge burden of pain, pain is an undertreated phenomenon. Currently used analgesics have several limitations regarding their efficacy and safety. The discovery of analgesics possessing a novel mechanism of action has faced multiple challenges, including a limited understanding of biological processes underpinning pain and analgesia and poor animal-to-human translation. Computational pharmacology is currently employed to face these challenges. In this review, we discuss the theory, methods, and applications of computational pharmacology in pain research. Computational pharmacology encompasses a wide variety of theoretical concepts and practical methodological approaches, with the overall aim of gaining biological insight through data acquisition and analysis. Data are acquired from patients or animal models with pain or analgesic treatment, at different levels of biological organization (molecular, cellular, physiological, and behavioral). Distinct methodological algorithms can then be used to analyze and integrate data. This helps to facilitate the identification of biological molecules and processes associated with pain phenotype, build quantitative models of pain signaling, and extract translatable features between humans and animals. However, computational pharmacology has several limitations, and its predictions can provide false positive and negative findings. Therefore, computational predictions are required to be validated experimentally before drawing solid conclusions. In this review, we discuss several case study examples of combining and integrating computational tools with experimental pain research tools to meet drug discovery challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Barakat
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
| | | | - Anne-Marie Heegaard
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Xin H, Zhang L, Wang H, Zhu X. Dynamic transcriptome analysis provides molecular insights into underground floral differentiation in Adonis Amurensis Regel & Radde. BMC Genom Data 2024; 25:33. [PMID: 38515034 PMCID: PMC10956236 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-024-01220-2] [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: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding flower developmental processes is a prerequisite for improving flowering 'plants' production. Adonis amurensis is a fascinating spring ephemeral plant that develops its flower organs underground. Nevertheless, knowledge of the molecular mechanisms driving this particular process is scarce. Herein, we examined transcriptional changes during underground flower differentiation in A. amurensis and unveiled key differently regulated genes and pathways. High-throughput RNA sequencing of meristems at different flower developmental stages, including flower primordium (FP), sepal stage (SE), perianth primordium (PE), stamen stage (ST), and pistil stage (PI), identified 303,234 unigenes that showed 44.79% similarity with sequences in Aquilegia coerulea. Correlations, principal component, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analyses revealed that few molecular changes occurred during the transition from PE to ST. Many DEGs exhibited stage-specific regulations. Transcription factor (TF) and phytohormone family genes are critical regulators of the floral differentiation process in A. amurensis. The most differentially regulated TFs were MADS, FAR1, MYBs, AP2/ERF, B3, C2H2, and LOBs. We filtered out 186 candidate genes for future functional studies, including 18 flowering/circadian-related, 32 phytohormone-related, and TF family genes. Our findings deepen our understanding of the underground flower differentiation process and offer critical resources to dissect its regulatory network in A. amurensis. These findings establish a foundational platform for researchers dedicated to exploring the unique phenotypic characteristics of this specific flowering modality and delving into the intricate molecular mechanisms underpinning its regulation and expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Xin
- School of Landscape Architecture, Changchun University, 6543 Weixing Road, Changchun, China
| | - Lifan Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Tonghua Normal University, 950, Yucai Road, Tonghua, China
| | - Hongtao Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Tonghua Normal University, 950, Yucai Road, Tonghua, China
| | - Xingzun Zhu
- School of Landscape Architecture, Changchun University, 6543 Weixing Road, Changchun, China.
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Wen B, Zhu H, Xu J, Xu L, Huang Y. NMDA Receptors Regulate Oxidative Damage in Keratinocytes during Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in HaCaT Cells and Male Rats. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:244. [PMID: 38397842 PMCID: PMC10886417 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13020244] [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: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a type of primary chronic pain, occurs following trauma or systemic disease and typically affects the limbs. CRPS-induced pain responses result in vascular, cutaneous, and autonomic nerve alterations, seriously impacting the quality of life of affected individuals. We previously identified the involvement of keratinocyte N-methyl-d-asparagic acid (NMDA) receptor subunit 2 B (NR2B) in both peripheral and central sensitizations in CRPS, although the mechanisms whereby NR2B functions following activation remain unclear. Using an in vivo male rat model of chronic post-ischemia pain (CPIP) and an in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) cell model, we discovered that oxidative injury occurs in rat keratinocytes and HaCaT cells, resulting in reduced cell viability, mitochondrial damage, oxidative damage of nucleotides, and increased apoptosis. In HaCaT cells, OGD/R induced increases in intracellular reactive oxygen species levels and disrupted the balance between oxidation and antioxidation by regulating a series of antioxidant genes. The activation of NMDA receptors via NMDA exacerbated these changes, whereas the inhibition of the NR2B subunit alleviated them. Co-administration of ifenprodil (an NR2B antagonist) and NMDA (an NMDA receptor agonist) during the reoxygenation stage did not result in any significant alterations. Furthermore, intraplantar injection of ifenprodil effectively reversed the altered gene expression that was observed in male CPIP rats, thereby revealing the potential mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of peripheral ifenprodil administration in CRPS. Collectively, our findings indicate that keratinocytes undergo oxidative injury in CRPS, with NMDA receptors playing regulatory roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bei Wen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China; (B.W.); (H.Z.)
| | - He Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China; (B.W.); (H.Z.)
| | - Jijun Xu
- Department of Pain Management, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA;
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Li Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China; (B.W.); (H.Z.)
| | - Yuguang Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China; (B.W.); (H.Z.)
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Yalçın MB, Bora ES, Erdoğan MA, Çakır A, Erbaş O. The Effect of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Peripheral Nerve Damage in a Rodent Model. J Clin Med 2023; 12:6411. [PMID: 37835055 PMCID: PMC10573691 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12196411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Peripheral nerve damage is a significant clinical problem with limited therapeutic options. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic approach due to their regenerative potential. However, the underlying mechanisms by which ADSCs promote peripheral nerve regeneration remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of syndecan-1 and heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70) in mediating the regenerative effects of ADSCs on peripheral nerves. ADSCs were characterized and isolated from the adipose tissue of rats. In vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate the ability of ADSCs to secrete syndecan-1 and HSP-70 in response to stress conditions. To evaluate the therapeutic potential of ADSCs, rats with sciatic nerve injuries were treated with ADSCs and assessed for functional recovery, nerve regeneration, and changes in syndecan-1 and HSP-70 levels. Regeneration was evaluated with Electromyography (EMG) histology. The results showed that ADSCs could secrete syndecan-1 and HSP-70 in response to stress conditions. Furthermore, ADSC treatment significantly improved functional recovery and nerve regeneration and increased syndecan-1 and HSP-70 levels in the injured nerve. On the other hand, ADSCs make improvements histologically through the influence of Nerve growth factor (NGF), Malondialdehyde (MDA), and EMG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Burak Yalçın
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Bahcelievler Memorial Hospital, Istanbul 34180, Turkey;
| | - Ejder Saylav Bora
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Izmir Atatürk Research and Training Hospital, Izmir 35360, Turkey
| | - Mümin Alper Erdoğan
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Izmir Kâtip Çelebi University, Izmir 35620, Turkey;
| | - Adem Çakır
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Çanakkale Mehmet Akif Ersoy State Hospital, Çanakkale 17100, Turkey;
| | - Oytun Erbaş
- Department of Physiology, Demiroğlu Bilim University, Istanbul 34394, Turkey;
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Rutzen AT, Annes RD, da Silva SG. Clinical and functional outcomes in patients submitted to early versus late surgery for lumbar disc herniation: A systematic review. INTERDISCIPLINARY NEUROSURGERY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.inat.2022.101550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Yao C, Ren J, Huang R, Tang C, Cheng Y, Lv Z, Kong L, Fang S, Tao J, Fu Y, Zhu Q, Fang M. Transcriptome profiling of microRNAs reveals potential mechanisms of manual therapy alleviating neuropathic pain through microRNA-547-3p-mediated Map4k4/NF-κb signaling pathway. J Neuroinflammation 2022; 19:211. [PMID: 36045396 PMCID: PMC9434879 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-022-02568-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Local neuroinflammation secondary to spinal nerve compression in lumbar disk herniation (LDH) is a key driver contributing to neuropathic pain. Manual therapy (MT), a widely used nonsurgical therapy, can relieve LDH-mediated pain by reducing inflammation. MT has attracted extensive attention; however, its mechanism remains poorly understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of pain signaling transduction, but are rarely reported in the chronic compression of dorsal root ganglia (CCD) model, and further investigation is needed to decipher whether they mediate anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of MT. METHODS We used a combination of in vivo behavioral and molecular techniques to study MT intervention mechanisms. Neuropathic pain was induced in a CCD rat model and MT intervention was performed according to standard procedures. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect inflammatory cytokine levels in dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Small RNA sequencing, immunofluorescence, Western blot, and qRT-PCR were performed to screen miRNAs and their target genes and determine core factors in the pathway possibly regulated by miRNA-mediated target gene in DRG of MT-treated CCD rats. RESULTS Compared with naive rats, small RNA sequencing detected 22 differentially expressed miRNAs in DRG of CCD rats, and compared with CCD rats, MT-treated rats presented 19 differentially expressed miRNAs, which were functionally associated with nerve injury and inflammation. Among these, miR-547-3p was screened as a key miRNA mediating neuroinflammation and participating in neuropathic pain. We confirmed in vitro that its function is achieved by directly regulating its target gene Map4k4. Intrathecal injection of miR-547-3p agomir or MT intervention significantly reduced Map4k4 expression and the expression and phosphorylation of IκBα and p65 in the NF-κB pathway, thus reducing the inflammatory cytokine levels and exerting an analgesic effect, whereas intrathecal injection of miR-547-3p antagomir led to opposite effects. CONCLUSIONS In rats, CCD-induced neuropathic pain leads to variation in miRNA expression in DRG, and MT can intervene the transcription and translation of inflammation-related genes through miRNAs to improve neuroinflammation and alleviate neuropathic pain. MiR-547-3p may be a key target of MT for anti-inflammatory and analgesia effects, which is achieved by mediating the Map4k4/NF-κB pathway to regulate downstream inflammatory cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chongjie Yao
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437 People’s Republic of China
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jun Ren
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437 People’s Republic of China
| | - Ruixin Huang
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437 People’s Republic of China
| | - Cheng Tang
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yanbin Cheng
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437 People’s Republic of China
- Research Institute of Tuina, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437 People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhizhen Lv
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053 People’s Republic of China
| | - Lingjun Kong
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437 People’s Republic of China
- Research Institute of Tuina, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437 People’s Republic of China
| | - Sitong Fang
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiming Tao
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yangyang Fu
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437 People’s Republic of China
| | - Qingguang Zhu
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437 People’s Republic of China
- Research Institute of Tuina, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437 People’s Republic of China
| | - Min Fang
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437 People’s Republic of China
- Research Institute of Tuina, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437 People’s Republic of China
- Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203 People’s Republic of China
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Analysis of Potential Hub Genes for Neuropathic Pain Based on Differential Expression in Rat Models. Pain Res Manag 2022; 2022:6571987. [PMID: 35281346 PMCID: PMC8913144 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6571987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Objective Neuropathic pain (NP) is a type of intractable chronic pain with complicated etiology. The exact molecular mechanism underlying NP remains unclear. In this study, we searched for molecular biomarkers of NP. Methods Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were predicted by analyzing three NP-related microarray datasets in Gene Expression Omnibus with robust rank aggregation. A weighted gene coexpression network analysis was conducted to construct a network of differentially expressed genes, followed by the evaluation of correlations between gene sets and the determination of hub genes. The candidate genes from the key module were identified using a gene set enrichment analysis. Results In total, 353 upregulated and 383 downregulated genes were obtained, among which five hub genes were determined to be related to pain phenotypes. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to verify the expression of these hub genes in the dorsal root ganglia of rats with spared nerve injury, which revealed the decreased expression of EMC4. Hence, EMC4 was defined as a biomarker for NP development. Conclusions The results of this study form a basis for further research into the mechanism of NP development and are expected to aid in the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
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Kalpachidou T, Malsch P, Qi Y, Mair N, Geley S, Quarta S, Kummer KK, Kress M. Genetic and functional evidence for gp130/IL6ST-induced transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 upregulation in uninjured but not injured neurons in a mouse model of neuropathic pain. Pain 2022; 163:579-589. [PMID: 34252913 PMCID: PMC8832546 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Peripheral nerve injuries result in pronounced alterations in dorsal root ganglia, which can lead to the development of neuropathic pain. Although the polymodal mechanosensitive transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) ion channel is emerging as a relevant target for potential analgesic therapies, preclinical studies do not provide unequivocal mechanistic insight into its relevance for neuropathic pain pathogenesis. By using a transgenic mouse model with a conditional depletion of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) signal transducer gp130 in Nav1.8 expressing neurons (SNS-gp130-/-), we provide a mechanistic regulatory link between IL-6/gp130 and TRPA1 in the spared nerve injury (SNI) model. Spared nerve injury mice developed profound mechanical hypersensitivity as indicated by decreased withdrawal thresholds in the von Frey behavioral test in vivo, as well as a significant increase in mechanosensitivity of unmyelinated nociceptive primary afferents in ex vivo skin-nerve recordings. In contrast to wild type and control gp130fl/fl animals, SNS-gp130-/- mice did not develop mechanical hypersensitivity after SNI and exhibited low levels of Trpa1 mRNA in sensory neurons, which were partially restored by adenoviral gp130 re-expression in vitro. Importantly, uninjured but not injured neurons developed increased responsiveness to the TRPA1 agonist cinnamaldehyde, and neurons derived from SNS-gp130-/- mice after SNI were significantly less responsive to cinnamaldehyde. Our study shows for the first time that TRPA1 upregulation is attributed specifically to uninjured neurons in the SNI model, and this depended on the IL-6 signal transducer gp130. We provide a solution to the enigma of TRPA1 regulation after nerve injury and stress its significance as an important target for neuropathic pain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodora Kalpachidou
- Institute of Physiology, DPMP, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Philipp Malsch
- Institute of Physiology, DPMP, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Yanmei Qi
- Institute of Physiology, DPMP, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Norbert Mair
- Institute of Physiology, DPMP, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Stephan Geley
- Institute of Pathophysiology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Serena Quarta
- Institute of Physiology, DPMP, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Kai K. Kummer
- Institute of Physiology, DPMP, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Michaela Kress
- Institute of Physiology, DPMP, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Zhang Y, Xu X, Tong Y, Zhou X, Du J, Choi IY, Yue S, Lee G, Johnson BN, Jia X. Therapeutic effects of peripherally administrated neural crest stem cells on pain and spinal cord changes after sciatic nerve transection. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:180. [PMID: 33722287 PMCID: PMC7962265 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02200-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe peripheral nerve injury significantly affects patients' quality of life and induces neuropathic pain. Neural crest stem cells (NCSCs) exhibit several attractive characteristics for cell-based therapies following peripheral nerve injury. Here, we investigate the therapeutic effect of NCSC therapy and associated changes in the spinal cord in a sciatic nerve transection (SNT) model. METHODS Complex sciatic nerve gap injuries in rats were repaired with cell-free and cell-laden nerve scaffolds for 12 weeks (scaffold and NCSC groups, respectively). Catwalk gait analysis was used to assess the motor function recovery. The mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency were used to assess the development of neuropathic pain. Activation of glial cells was examined by immunofluorescence analyses. Spinal levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), NF-κB P65, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), growth-associated protein (GAP)-43, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and inflammation factors were calculated by western blot analysis. RESULTS Catwalk gait analysis showed that animals in the NCSC group exhibited a higher stand index and Max intensity At (%) relative to those that received the cell-free scaffold (scaffold group) (p < 0.05). The mechanical and thermal allodynia in the medial-plantar surface of the ipsilateral hind paw were significantly relieved in the NCSC group. Sunitinib (SNT)-induced upregulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) (astrocyte) and ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1) (microglia) in the ipsilateral L4-5 dorsal and ventral horn relative to the contralateral side. Immunofluorescence analyses revealed decreased astrocyte and microglia activation. Activation of ERK and NF-κB signals and expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) expression were downregulated. CONCLUSION NCSC-laden nerve scaffolds mitigated SNT-induced neuropathic pain and improved motor function recovery after sciatic nerve repair. NCSCs also protected the spinal cord from SNT-induced glial activation and central sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhang
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, MSTF Building 823, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Xiang Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, MSTF Building 823, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Yuxin Tong
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, School of Neuroscience, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, 24061, VA, USA
| | - Xijie Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, MSTF Building 823, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Jian Du
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, MSTF Building 823, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - In Young Choi
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Shouwei Yue
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Gabsang Lee
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Blake N Johnson
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, School of Neuroscience, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, 24061, VA, USA
| | - Xiaofeng Jia
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, MSTF Building 823, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA. .,Department of Orthopedics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA. .,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. .,Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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