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Rodríguez García DM, Szabo A, Mikesell AR, Zorn SJ, Tsafack UK, Sriram A, Waltz TB, Enders JD, Mecca CM, Stucky CL, Sadler KE. High-speed imaging of evoked rodent mechanical behaviors yields variable results that are not predictive of inflammatory injury. Pain 2024; 165:1569-1582. [PMID: 38314814 PMCID: PMC11189758 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Few analgesics identified using preclinical models have successfully translated to clinical use. These translational limitations may be due to the unidimensional nature of behavioral response measures used to assess rodent nociception. Advances in high-speed videography for pain behavior allow for objective quantification of nuanced aspects of evoked paw withdrawal responses. However, whether videography-based assessments of mechanical hypersensitivity outperform traditional measurement reproducibility is unknown. First, we determined whether high-speed videography of paw withdrawal was reproducible across experimenters. Second, we examined whether this method distinguishes behavioral responses exhibited by naive mice and mice with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammation. Twelve experimenters stimulated naive C57BL/6 mice with varying mechanical stimuli. Paw withdrawal responses were recorded with high-speed videography and scored offline by one individual. Our group was unable to replicate the original findings produced by high-speed videography analysis. Surprisingly, ∼80% of variation was not accounted for by variables previously reported to distinguish between responses to innocuous and noxious stimuli (paw height, paw velocity, and pain score), or by additional variables (experimenter, time-of-day, and animal), but rather by unidentified factors. Similar high-speed videography assessments were performed in CFA- and vehicle-treated animals, and the cumulative data failed to reveal an effect of CFA injection on withdrawal as measured by high-speed videography. This study does not support using paw height, velocity, or pain score measurements from high-speed recordings to delineate behavioral responses to innocuous and noxious stimuli. Our group encourages the continued use of traditional mechanical withdrawal assessments until additional high-speed withdrawal measures are validated in established pain models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianise M Rodríguez García
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Aniko Szabo
- Division of Biostatistics, Institute of Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Alexander R Mikesell
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Samuel J Zorn
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Ulrich Kemmo Tsafack
- Division of Biostatistics, Institute of Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Anvitha Sriram
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Tyler B Waltz
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Jonathan D Enders
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Christina M Mecca
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Cheryl L Stucky
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Katelyn E Sadler
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Advanced Pain Studies, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
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Celinskis D, Black CJ, Murphy J, Barrios-Anderson A, Friedman NG, Shaner NC, Saab CY, Gomez-Ramirez M, Borton DA, Moore CI. Toward a brighter constellation: multiorgan neuroimaging of neural and vascular dynamics in the spinal cord and brain. NEUROPHOTONICS 2024; 11:024209. [PMID: 38725801 PMCID: PMC11079446 DOI: 10.1117/1.nph.11.2.024209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Significance Pain comprises a complex interaction between motor action and somatosensation that is dependent on dynamic interactions between the brain and spinal cord. This makes understanding pain particularly challenging as it involves rich interactions between many circuits (e.g., neural and vascular) and signaling cascades throughout the body. As such, experimentation on a single region may lead to an incomplete and potentially incorrect understanding of crucial underlying mechanisms. Aim We aimed to develop and validate tools to enable detailed and extended observation of neural and vascular activity in the brain and spinal cord. The first key set of innovations was targeted to developing novel imaging hardware that addresses the many challenges of multisite imaging. The second key set of innovations was targeted to enabling bioluminescent (BL) imaging, as this approach can address limitations of fluorescent microscopy including photobleaching, phototoxicity, and decreased resolution due to scattering of excitation signals. Approach We designed 3D-printed brain and spinal cord implants to enable effective surgical implantations and optical access with wearable miniscopes or an open window (e.g., for one- or two-photon microscopy or optogenetic stimulation). We also tested the viability for BL imaging and developed a novel modified miniscope optimized for these signals (BLmini). Results We describe "universal" implants for acute and chronic simultaneous brain-spinal cord imaging and optical stimulation. We further describe successful imaging of BL signals in both foci and a new miniscope, the "BLmini," which has reduced weight, cost, and form-factor relative to standard wearable miniscopes. Conclusions The combination of 3D-printed implants, advanced imaging tools, and bioluminescence imaging techniques offers a coalition of methods for understanding spinal cord-brain interactions. Our work has the potential for use in future research into neuropathic pain and other sensory disorders and motor behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitrijs Celinskis
- Carney Institute for Brain Science, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
| | | | - Jeremy Murphy
- Carney Institute for Brain Science, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
| | | | - Nina G. Friedman
- Carney Institute for Brain Science, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
| | - Nathan C. Shaner
- University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, California, United States
| | - Carl Y. Saab
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Neurological Institute, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
| | - Manuel Gomez-Ramirez
- University of Rochester, School of Arts and Sciences, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - David A. Borton
- Carney Institute for Brain Science, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
- Brown University, School of Engineering, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
- Center for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
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3
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Celinskis D, Black CJ, Murphy J, Barrios-Anderson A, Friedman N, Shaner NC, Saab C, Gomez-Ramirez M, Lipscombe D, Borton DA, Moore CI. Towards a Brighter Constellation: Multi-Organ Neuroimaging of Neural and Vascular Dynamics in the Spinal Cord and Brain. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.25.573323. [PMID: 38234789 PMCID: PMC10793404 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.25.573323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Significance Pain is comprised of a complex interaction between motor action and somatosensation that is dependent on dynamic interactions between the brain and spinal cord. This makes understanding pain particularly challenging as it involves rich interactions between many circuits (e.g., neural and vascular) and signaling cascades throughout the body. As such, experimentation on a single region may lead to an incomplete and potentially incorrect understanding of crucial underlying mechanisms. Aim Here, we aimed to develop and validate new tools to enable detailed and extended observation of neural and vascular activity in the brain and spinal cord. The first key set of innovations were targeted to developing novel imaging hardware that addresses the many challenges of multi-site imaging. The second key set of innovations were targeted to enabling bioluminescent imaging, as this approach can address limitations of fluorescent microscopy including photobleaching, phototoxicity and decreased resolution due to scattering of excitation signals. Approach We designed 3D-printed brain and spinal cord implants to enable effective surgical implantations and optical access with wearable miniscopes or an open window (e.g., for one- or two-photon microscopy or optogenetic stimulation). We also tested the viability for bioluminescent imaging, and developed a novel modified miniscope optimized for these signals (BLmini). Results Here, we describe novel 'universal' implants for acute and chronic simultaneous brain-spinal cord imaging and optical stimulation. We further describe successful imaging of bioluminescent signals in both foci, and a new miniscope, the 'BLmini,' which has reduced weight, cost and form-factor relative to standard wearable miniscopes. Conclusions The combination of 3D printed implants, advanced imaging tools, and bioluminescence imaging techniques offers a new coalition of methods for understanding spinal cord-brain interactions. This work has the potential for use in future research into neuropathic pain and other sensory disorders and motor behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jeremy Murphy
- Carney Institute for Brain Science, Providence, RI, USA
| | | | - Nina Friedman
- Carney Institute for Brain Science, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Nathan C. Shaner
- University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Carl Saab
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Neurological Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | | | - David A. Borton
- Carney Institute for Brain Science, Providence, RI, USA
- School of Engineering, Brown University, RI, USA
- Center for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology, Providence VA Medical Center, RI, USA
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4
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Dedek C, Azadgoleh MA, Prescott SA. Reproducible and fully automated testing of nocifensive behavior in mice. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2023; 3:100650. [PMID: 37992707 PMCID: PMC10783627 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2023.100650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Pain in rodents is often inferred from their withdrawal from noxious stimulation. Threshold stimulus intensity or response latency is used to quantify pain sensitivity. This usually involves applying stimuli by hand and measuring responses by eye, which limits reproducibility and throughput. We describe a device that standardizes and automates pain testing by providing computer-controlled aiming, stimulation, and response measurement. Optogenetic and thermal stimuli are applied using blue and infrared light, respectively. Precise mechanical stimulation is also demonstrated. Reflectance of red light is used to measure paw withdrawal with millisecond precision. We show that consistent stimulus delivery is crucial for resolving stimulus-dependent variations in withdrawal and for testing with sustained stimuli. Moreover, substage video reveals "spontaneous" behaviors for consideration alongside withdrawal metrics to better assess the pain experience. The entire process was automated using machine learning. RAMalgo (reproducible automated multimodal algometry) improves the standardization, comprehensiveness, and throughput of preclinical pain testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Dedek
- Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Mehdi A Azadgoleh
- Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Steven A Prescott
- Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.
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Shayea AMF, Renno WM, Qabazard B, Masocha W. Neuroprotective Effects of a Hydrogen Sulfide Donor in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16650. [PMID: 38068971 PMCID: PMC10706751 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetic neuropathy is an important long-term complication of diabetes. This study explored the hypothesis that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) ameliorates neuropathic pain by controlling antiapoptotic and pro-apoptotic processes. The effects of a slow-releasing H2S donor, GYY4137, on the expression of antiapoptotic and pro-apoptotic genes and proteins, such as B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) and Bcl-2-like protein 4 (Bax), as well as caspases, cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2, monocytes/macrophages, and endothelial cells, in the spinal cord of male Sprague-Dawley rats with streptozotocin-induced peripheral diabetic neuropathy, were investigated using reverse transcription-PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry. The antihypoalgesic activities of GYY4137 on diabetic rats were evaluated using the tail flick test. Treatment of diabetic rats with GYY4137 attenuated thermal hypoalgesia and prevented both the diabetes-induced increase in Bax mRNA expression (p = 0.0032) and the diabetes-induced decrease in Bcl2 mRNA expression (p = 0.028). The GYY4137-treated diabetic group had increased COX-1 (p = 0.015), decreased COX-2 (p = 0.002), reduced caspase-7 and caspase-9 protein expression (p < 0.05), and lower numbers of endothelial and monocyte/macrophage cells (p < 0.05) compared to the non-treated diabetic group. In summary, the current study demonstrated the protective properties of H2S, which prevented the development of neuropathy related behavior, and suppressed apoptosis activation pathways and inflammation in the spinal cord. H2S-releasing drugs could be considered as possible treatment options of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulaziz M. F. Shayea
- Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Allied Health Science, Kuwait University, P.O. Box 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait;
- Molecular Biology Program, College of Graduate Studies, Kuwait University, P.O. Box 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait
| | - Waleed M. Renno
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Kuwait University, P.O. Box 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait;
| | - Bedoor Qabazard
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, P.O. Box 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait;
| | - Willias Masocha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, P.O. Box 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait;
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6
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Spinal Cord Circuits: Models and Reality. NEUROPHYSIOLOGY+ 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11062-022-09927-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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7
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Zhu X, Yuan M, Wang H, Zhangsun D, Yu G, Che J, Luo S. Novel αO-conotoxin GeXIVA[1,2] Nonaddictive Analgesic with Pharmacokinetic Modelling-Based Mechanistic Assessment. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14091789. [PMID: 36145535 PMCID: PMC9505004 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14091789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
αO-conotoxin GeXIVA[1,2] was isolated in our laboratory from Conus generalis, a snail native to the South China Sea, and is a novel, nonaddictive, intramuscularly administered analgesic targeting the α9α10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) with an IC50 of 4.61 nM. However, its pharmacokinetics and related mechanisms underlying the analgesic effect remain unknown. Herein, pharmacokinetics and multiscale pharmacokinetic modelling in animals were subjected systematically to mechanistic assessment for αO-conotoxin GeXIVA[1,2]. The intramuscular bioavailability in rats and dogs was 11.47% and 13.37%, respectively. The plasma exposure of GeXIVA[1,2] increased proportionally with the experimental dose. The plasma protein binding of GeXIVA[1,2] differed between the tested animal species. The one-compartment model with the first-order absorption population pharmacokinetics model predicted doses for humans with bodyweight as the covariant. The pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics relationships were characterized using an inhibitory loss indirect response model with an effect compartment. Model simulations have provided potential mechanistic insights into the analgesic effects of GeXIVA[1,2] by inhibiting certain endogenous substances, which may be a key biomarker. This report is the first concerning the pharmacokinetics of GeXIVA[1,2] and its potential analgesic mechanisms based on a top-down modelling approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources, Ministry of Education, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Mei Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Huanbai Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources, Ministry of Education, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Dongting Zhangsun
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources, Ministry of Education, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Gang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China
- Correspondence: (G.Y.); (J.C.); (S.L.)
| | - Jinjing Che
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China
- Correspondence: (G.Y.); (J.C.); (S.L.)
| | - Sulan Luo
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources, Ministry of Education, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
- Medical School, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
- Correspondence: (G.Y.); (J.C.); (S.L.)
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Kim JJ, Sapio MR, Vazquez FA, Maric D, Loydpierson AJ, Ma W, Zarate CA, Iadarola MJ, Mannes AJ. Transcriptional Activation, Deactivation and Rebound Patterns in Cortex, Hippocampus and Amygdala in Response to Ketamine Infusion in Rats. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:892345. [PMID: 35706427 PMCID: PMC9190438 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.892345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-receptor antagonist, is a recently revitalized treatment for pain and depression, yet its actions at the molecular level remain incompletely defined. In this molecular-pharmacological investigation in the rat, we used short- and longer-term infusions of high dose ketamine to stimulate neuronal transcription processes. We hypothesized that a progressively stronger modulation of neuronal gene networks would occur over time in cortical and limbic pathways. A continuous intravenous administration paradigm for ketamine was developed in rat consisting of short (1 h) and long duration (10 h, and 10 h + 24 h recovery) infusions of anesthetic concentrations to activate or inhibit gene transcription in a pharmacokinetically controlled fashion. Transcription was measured by RNA-Seq in three brain regions: frontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala. Cellular level gene localization was performed with multiplex fluorescent in situ hybridization. Induction of a shared transcriptional regulatory network occurred within 1 h in all three brain regions consisting of (a) genes involved in stimulus-transcription factor coupling that are induced during altered synaptic activity (immediate early genes, IEGs, such as c-Fos, 9–12 significant genes per brain region, p < 0.01 per gene) and (b) the Nrf2 oxidative stress-antioxidant response pathway downstream from glutamate signaling (Nuclear Factor Erythroid-Derived 2-Like 2) containing 12–25 increasing genes (p < 0.01) per brain region. By 10 h of infusion, the acute results were further reinforced and consisted of more and stronger gene alterations reflecting a sustained and accentuated ketamine modulation of regional excitation and plasticity. At the cellular level, in situ hybridization localized up-regulation of the plasticity-associated gene Bdnf, and the transcription factors Nr4a1 and Fos, in cortical layers III and V. After 24 h recovery, we observed overshoot of transcriptional processes rather than a smooth return to homeostasis suggesting an oscillation of plasticity occurs during the transition to a new phase of neuronal regulation. These data elucidate critical molecular regulatory actions during and downstream of ketamine administration that may contribute to the unique drug actions of this anesthetic agent. These molecular investigations point to pathways linked to therapeutically useful attributes of ketamine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny J. Kim
- Department of Perioperative Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Matthew R. Sapio
- Department of Perioperative Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Fernando A. Vazquez
- Department of Perioperative Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Dragan Maric
- Flow and Imaging Cytometry Core Facility, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Amelia J. Loydpierson
- Department of Perioperative Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Wenting Ma
- Department of Perioperative Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Carlos A. Zarate
- Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Michael J. Iadarola
- Department of Perioperative Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: Michael J. Iadarola, ,
| | - Andrew J. Mannes
- Department of Perioperative Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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Abdus-Saboor I, Luo W. Measuring Mouse Somatosensory Reflexive Behaviors with High-speed Videography, Statistical Modeling, and Machine Learning. NEUROMETHODS 2022; 178:441-456. [PMID: 35783537 PMCID: PMC9249079 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2039-7_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Objectively measuring and interpreting an animal's sensory experience remains a challenging task. This is particularly true when using preclinical rodent models to study pain mechanisms and screen for potential new pain treatment reagents. How to determine their pain states in a precise and unbiased manner is a hurdle that the field will need to overcome. Here, we describe our efforts to measure mouse somatosensory reflexive behaviors with greatly improved precision by high-speed video imaging. We describe how coupling sub-second ethograms of reflexive behaviors with a statistical reduction method and supervised machine learning can be used to create a more objective quantitative mouse "pain scale." Our goal is to provide the readers with a protocol of how to integrate some of the new tools described here with currently used mechanical somatosensory assays, while discussing the advantages and limitations of this new approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishmail Abdus-Saboor
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, 3740 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Wenqin Luo
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, 3610 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
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10
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Ma Q. A functional subdivision within the somatosensory system and its implications for pain research. Neuron 2022; 110:749-769. [PMID: 35016037 PMCID: PMC8897275 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Somatosensory afferents are traditionally classified by soma size, myelination, and their response specificity to external and internal stimuli. Here, we propose the functional subdivision of the nociceptive somatosensory system into two branches. The exteroceptive branch detects external threats and drives reflexive-defensive reactions to prevent or limit injury. The interoceptive branch senses the disruption of body integrity, produces tonic pain with strong aversive emotional components, and drives self-caring responses toward to the injured region to reduce suffering. The central thesis behind this functional subdivision comes from a reflection on the dilemma faced by the pain research field, namely, the use of reflexive-defensive behaviors as surrogate assays for interoceptive tonic pain. The interpretation of these assays is now being challenged by the discovery of distinct but interwoven circuits that drive exteroceptive versus interoceptive types of behaviors, with the conflation of these two components contributing partially to the poor translation of therapies from preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiufu Ma
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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11
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Sapio MR, Kim JJ, Loydpierson AJ, Maric D, Goto T, Vazquez FA, Dougherty MK, Narasimhan R, Muhly WT, Iadarola MJ, Mannes AJ. The Persistent Pain Transcriptome: Identification of Cells and Molecules Activated by Hyperalgesia. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2021; 22:1146-1179. [PMID: 33892151 PMCID: PMC9441406 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2021.03.155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
During persistent pain, the dorsal spinal cord responds to painful inputs from the site of injury, but the molecular modulatory processes have not been comprehensively examined. Using transcriptomics and multiplex in situ hybridization, we identified the most highly regulated receptors and signaling molecules in rat dorsal spinal cord in peripheral inflammatory and post-surgical incisional pain models. We examined a time course of the response including acute (2 hours) and longer term (2 day) time points after peripheral injury representing the early onset and instantiation of hyperalgesic processes. From this analysis, we identify a key population of superficial dorsal spinal cord neurons marked by somatotopic upregulation of the opioid neuropeptide precursor prodynorphin, and 2 receptors: the neurokinin 1 receptor, and anaplastic lymphoma kinase. These alterations occur specifically in the glutamatergic subpopulation of superficial dynorphinergic neurons. In addition to specific neuronal gene regulation, both models showed induction of broad transcriptional signatures for tissue remodeling, synaptic rearrangement, and immune signaling defined by complement and interferon induction. These signatures were predominantly induced ipsilateral to tissue injury, implying linkage to primary afferent drive. We present a comprehensive set of gene regulatory events across 2 models that can be targeted for the development of non-opioid analgesics. PERSPECTIVE: The deadly impact of the opioid crisis and the need to replace morphine and other opioids in clinical practice is well recognized. Embedded within this research is an overarching goal of obtaining foundational knowledge from transcriptomics to search for non-opioid analgesic targets. Developing such analgesics would address unmet clinical needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Sapio
- Department of Perioperative Medicine, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jenny J Kim
- Department of Perioperative Medicine, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Amelia J Loydpierson
- Department of Perioperative Medicine, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Dragan Maric
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Flow and Imaging Cytometry Core Facility, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Taichi Goto
- Department of Perioperative Medicine, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland; National Institute of Nursing Research, Symptom Management Branch, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland; Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Overseas Research Fellowship, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fernando A Vazquez
- Department of Perioperative Medicine, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Mary K Dougherty
- Department of Perioperative Medicine, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Radhika Narasimhan
- Department of Perioperative Medicine, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Wallis T Muhly
- National Institute of Nursing Research, Symptom Management Branch, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Michael J Iadarola
- Department of Perioperative Medicine, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland.
| | - Andrew J Mannes
- Department of Perioperative Medicine, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
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12
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Schorscher-Petcu A, Takács F, Browne LE. Scanned optogenetic control of mammalian somatosensory input to map input-specific behavioral outputs. eLife 2021; 10:62026. [PMID: 34323214 PMCID: PMC8428846 DOI: 10.7554/elife.62026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Somatosensory stimuli guide and shape behavior, from immediate protective reflexes to longer-term learning and higher-order processes related to pain and touch. However, somatosensory inputs are challenging to control in awake mammals due to the diversity and nature of contact stimuli. Application of cutaneous stimuli is currently limited to relatively imprecise methods as well as subjective behavioral measures. The strategy we present here overcomes these difficulties, achieving 'remote touch' with spatiotemporally precise and dynamic optogenetic stimulation by projecting light to a small defined area of skin. We mapped behavioral responses in freely behaving mice with specific nociceptor and low-threshold mechanoreceptor inputs. In nociceptors, sparse recruitment of single-action potentials shapes rapid protective pain-related behaviors, including coordinated head orientation and body repositioning that depend on the initial body pose. In contrast, activation of low-threshold mechanoreceptors elicited slow-onset behaviors and more subtle whole-body behaviors. The strategy can be used to define specific behavioral repertoires, examine the timing and nature of reflexes, and dissect sensory, motor, cognitive, and motivational processes guiding behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ara Schorscher-Petcu
- Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, and Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Flóra Takács
- Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, and Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Liam E Browne
- Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, and Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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13
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Fischer MJM, Ciotu CI, Szallasi A. The Mysteries of Capsaicin-Sensitive Afferents. Front Physiol 2020; 11:554195. [PMID: 33391007 PMCID: PMC7772409 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.554195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A fundamental subdivision of nociceptive sensory neurons is named after their unique sensitivity to capsaicin, the pungent ingredient in hot chili peppers: these are the capsaicin-sensitive afferents. The initial excitation by capsaicin of these neurons manifested as burning pain sensation is followed by a lasting refractory state, traditionally referred to as "capsaicin desensitization," during which the previously excited neurons are unresponsive not only to capsaicin but a variety of unrelated stimuli including noxious heat. The long sought-after capsaicin receptor, now known as TRPV1 (transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V member 1), was cloned more than two decades ago. The substantial reduction of the inflammatory phenotype of Trpv1 knockout mice has spurred extensive efforts in the pharmaceutical industry to develop small molecule TRPV1 antagonists. However, adverse effects, most importantly hyperthermia and burn injuries, have so far prevented any compounds from progressing beyond Phase 2. There is increasing evidence that these limitations can be at least partially overcome by approaches outside of the mainstream pharmaceutical development, providing novel therapeutic options through TRPV1. Although ablation of the whole TRPV1-expressing nerve population by high dose capsaicin, or more selectively by intersectional genetics, has allowed researchers to investigate the functions of capsaicin-sensitive afferents in health and disease, several "mysteries" remain unsolved to date, including the molecular underpinnings of "capsaicin desensitization," and the exact role these nerves play in thermoregulation and heat sensation. This review tries to shed some light on these capsaicin mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. M. Fischer
- Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Cosmin I. Ciotu
- Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Arpad Szallasi
- 1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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14
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Goto T, Sapio MR, Maric D, Robinson JM, Saligan LN, Mannes AJ, Iadarola MJ. Longitudinal Transcriptomic Profiling in Carrageenan-Induced Rat Hind Paw Peripheral Inflammation and Hyperalgesia Reveals Progressive Recruitment of Innate Immune System Components. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2020; 22:322-343. [PMID: 33227508 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2020.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Pain is a common but potentially debilitating symptom, often requiring complex management strategies. To understand the molecular dynamics of peripheral inflammation and nociceptive pain, we investigated longitudinal changes in behavior, tissue structure, and transcriptomic profiles in the rat carrageenan-induced peripheral inflammation model. Sequential changes in the number of differentially expressed genes are consistent with temporal recruitment of key leukocyte populations, mainly neutrophils and macrophages with each wave being preceded by upregulation of the cell-specific chemoattractants, Cxcl1 and Cxcl2, and Ccl2 and Ccl7, respectively. We defined 12 temporal gene clusters based on expression pattern. Within the patterns we extracted genes comprising the inflammatory secretome and others related to nociceptive tissue remodeling and to sensory perception of pain. Structural tissue changes, involving upregulation of multiple collagens occurred as soon as 1-hour postinjection, consistent with inflammatory tissue remodeling. Inflammatory expression profiling revealed a broad-spectrum, temporally orchestrated molecular and cellular recruitment process. The results provide numerous potential targets for modulation of pain and inflammation. PERSPECTIVE: This study investigates the highly orchestrated biological response during tissue inflammation with precise assessment of molecular dynamics at the transcriptional level. The results identify transcriptional changes that define an evolving inflammatory state in rats. This study provides foundational data for identifying markers of, and potential treatments for, inflammation and pain in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taichi Goto
- National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Nursing Research, Symptom Biology Unit, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Matthew R Sapio
- National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center, Department of Perioperative Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Dragan Maric
- National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Flow and Imaging Cytometry Core Facility, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jeffrey M Robinson
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Translational Life Science Technology Program, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Leorey N Saligan
- National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Nursing Research, Symptom Biology Unit, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Andrew J Mannes
- National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center, Department of Perioperative Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Michael J Iadarola
- National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center, Department of Perioperative Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland.
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15
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Abdus-Saboor I, Fried NT, Lay M, Burdge J, Swanson K, Fischer R, Jones J, Dong P, Cai W, Guo X, Tao YX, Bethea J, Ma M, Dong X, Ding L, Luo W. Development of a Mouse Pain Scale Using Sub-second Behavioral Mapping and Statistical Modeling. Cell Rep 2020; 28:1623-1634.e4. [PMID: 31390574 PMCID: PMC6724534 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Rodents are the main model systems for pain research, but determining their pain state is challenging. To develop an objective method to assess pain sensation in mice, we adopt high-speed videography to capture sub-second behavioral features following hind paw stimulation with both noxious and innocuous stimuli and identify several differentiating parameters indicating the affective and reflexive aspects of nociception. Using statistical modeling and machine learning, we integrate these parameters into a single index and create a "mouse pain scale," which allows us to assess pain sensation in a graded manner for each withdrawal. We demonstrate the utility of this method by determining sensations triggered by three different von Frey hairs and optogenetic activation of two different nociceptor populations. Our behavior-based "pain scale" approach will help improve the rigor and reproducibility of using withdrawal reflex assays to assess pain sensation in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishmail Abdus-Saboor
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nathan T Fried
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Biology, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ 08102, USA
| | - Mark Lay
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Justin Burdge
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kathryn Swanson
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, College of Arts and Sciences, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Roman Fischer
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, College of Arts and Sciences, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jessica Jones
- Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Peter Dong
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Weihua Cai
- Department of Anesthesiology, Rutgers University Medical School, Newark, NJ 07101, USA
| | - Xinying Guo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Rutgers University Medical School, Newark, NJ 07101, USA
| | - Yuan-Xiang Tao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Rutgers University Medical School, Newark, NJ 07101, USA
| | - John Bethea
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, College of Arts and Sciences, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Minghong Ma
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Xinzhong Dong
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Long Ding
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Wenqin Luo
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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16
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Jones JM, Foster W, Twomey CR, Burdge J, Ahmed OM, Pereira TD, Wojick JA, Corder G, Plotkin JB, Abdus-Saboor I. A machine-vision approach for automated pain measurement at millisecond timescales. eLife 2020; 9:e57258. [PMID: 32758355 PMCID: PMC7434442 DOI: 10.7554/elife.57258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective and automatic measurement of pain in mice remains a barrier for discovery in neuroscience. Here, we capture paw kinematics during pain behavior in mice with high-speed videography and automated paw tracking with machine and deep learning approaches. Our statistical software platform, PAWS (Pain Assessment at Withdrawal Speeds), uses a univariate projection of paw position over time to automatically quantify seven behavioral features that are combined into a single, univariate pain score. Automated paw tracking combined with PAWS reveals a behaviorally divergent mouse strain that displays hypersensitivity to mechanical stimuli. To demonstrate the efficacy of PAWS for detecting spinally versus centrally mediated behavioral responses, we chemogenetically activated nociceptive neurons in the amygdala, which further separated the pain-related behavioral features and the resulting pain score. Taken together, this automated pain quantification approach will increase objectivity in collecting rigorous behavioral data, and it is compatible with other neural circuit dissection tools for determining the mouse pain state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M Jones
- Department of Biology, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - William Foster
- Department of Biology, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Colin R Twomey
- Department of Biology, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Justin Burdge
- Department of Biology, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Osama M Ahmed
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton UniversityPrincetonUnited States
| | - Talmo D Pereira
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton UniversityPrincetonUnited States
| | - Jessica A Wojick
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Gregory Corder
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Joshua B Plotkin
- Department of Biology, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
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17
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Beaver JT, Mills LK, Swieboda D, Lelutiu N, Esser ES, Antao OQ, Scountzou E, Williams DT, Papaioannou N, Littauer EQ, Romanyuk A, Compans RW, Prausnitz MR, Skountzou I. Cutaneous vaccination ameliorates Zika virus-induced neuro-ocular pathology via reduction of anti-ganglioside antibodies. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2020; 16:2072-2091. [PMID: 32758106 PMCID: PMC7553697 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2020.1775460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) causes moderate to severe neuro-ocular sequelae, with symptoms ranging from conjunctivitis to Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). Despite the international threat ZIKV poses, no licensed vaccine exists. As ZIKV and DENV are closely related, antibodies against one virus have demonstrated the ability to enhance the other. To examine if vaccination can confer robust, long-term protection against ZIKV, preventing neuro-ocular pathology and long-term inflammation in immune-privileged compartments, BALB/c mice received two doses of unadjuvanted inactivated whole ZIKV vaccine (ZVIP) intramuscularly (IM) or cutaneously with dissolving microneedle patches (MNP). MNP immunization induced significantly higher B and T cell responses compared to IM vaccination, resulting in increased antibody titers with greater avidity for ZPIV as well as increased numbers of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL- and IL-4 secreting T cells. When compared to IM vaccination, antibodies generated by cutaneous vaccination demonstrated greater neutralization activity, increased cross-reactivity with Asian and African lineage ZIKV strains (PRVABC59, FLR, and MR766) and Dengue virus (DENV) serotypes, limited ADE, and lower reactivity to GBS-associated gangliosides. MNP vaccination effectively controlled viremia and inflammation, preventing neuro-ocular pathology. Conversely, IM vaccination exacerbated ocular pathology, resulting in uncontrolled, long-term inflammation. Importantly, neuro-ocular pathology correlated with anti-ganglioside antibodies implicated in demyelination and GBS. This study highlights the importance of longevity studies in ZIKV immunization, and the need of exploring alternative vaccination platforms to improve the quality of vaccine-induced immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob T Beaver
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Lisa K Mills
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dominika Swieboda
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Nadia Lelutiu
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Edward S Esser
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Olivia Q Antao
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Dahnide T Williams
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Nikolaos Papaioannou
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Pathologic Anatomy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Greece
| | - Elizabeth Q Littauer
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Andrey Romanyuk
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Richard W Compans
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Mark R Prausnitz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ioanna Skountzou
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
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18
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Beaver JT, Mills LK, Swieboda D, Lelutiu N, Esser ES, Antao OQ, Scountzou E, Williams DT, Papaioannou N, Littauer EQ, Skountzou I. Zika virus-induced neuro-ocular pathology in immunocompetent mice correlates with anti-ganglioside autoantibodies. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2020; 16:2092-2108. [PMID: 32758108 PMCID: PMC7553712 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2020.1775459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A severe consequence of adult Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), where autoreactive antibodies attack peripheral and central nervous systems (CNS) resulting in neuro-ocular pathology and fatal complications. During virally induced GBS, autoimmune brain demyelination and macular degeneration correlate with low virus neutralization and elevated antibody-mediated infection among Fcγ-R bearing cells. The use of interferon-deficient mice for ZIKV studies limits elucidation of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) and long-term pathology (≥120 days), due to high lethality post-infection. Here we used immunocompetent BALB/c mice, which generate robust humoral immune responses, to investigate long-term impacts of ZIKV infection. A high infectious dose (1x106 FFU per mouse) of ZIKV was administered intravenously. Control animals received a single dose of anti-IFNAR blocking monoclonal antibody and succumbed to lethal neurological pathology within 13 days. Immunocompetent mice exhibited motor impairment such as arthralgia, as well as ocular inflammation resulting in retinal vascular damage, and corneal edema. This pathology persisted 100 days after infection with evidence of chronic inflammation in immune-privileged tissues, demyelination in the hippocampus and motor cortex regions of the brain, and retinal/corneal hyperplasia. Anti-inflammatory transcriptional responses were tissue-specific, likely contributing to differential pathology in these organs. Pathology in immunocompetent animals coincided with weakly neutralizing antibodies and increased ADE among ZIKV strains (PRVABC59, FLR, and MR766) and all Dengue virus (DENV) serotypes. These antibodies were autoreactive to GBS-associated gangliosides. This study highlights the importance of longevity studies in ZIKV infection and confirms the role of anti-ganglioside antibodies in ZIKV-induced neuro-ocular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob T Beaver
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Lisa K Mills
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dominika Swieboda
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Nadia Lelutiu
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Edward S Esser
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Olivia Q Antao
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Dahnide T Williams
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Nikolaos Papaioannou
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Elizabeth Q Littauer
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ioanna Skountzou
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
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19
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Black CJ, Allawala AB, Bloye K, Vanent KN, Edhi MM, Saab CY, Borton DA. Automated and rapid self-report of nociception in transgenic mice. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13215. [PMID: 32764714 PMCID: PMC7413385 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70028-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
There are currently no rapid, operant pain behaviors in rodents that use a self-report to directly engage higher-order brain circuitry. We have developed a pain detection assay consisting of a lick behavior in response to optogenetic activation of predominantly nociceptive peripheral afferent nerve fibers in head-restrained transgenic mice expressing ChR2 in TRPV1 containing neurons. TRPV1-ChR2-EYFP mice (n = 5) were trained to provide lick reports to the detection of light-evoked nociceptive stimulation to the hind paw. Using simultaneous video recording, we demonstrate that the learned lick behavior may prove more pertinent in investigating brain driven pain processes than the reflex behavior. Within sessions, the response bias of transgenic mice changed with respect to lick behavior but not reflex behavior. Furthermore, response similarity between the lick and reflex behaviors diverged near perceptual threshold. Our nociceptive lick-report detection assay will enable a host of investigations into the millisecond, single cell, neural dynamics underlying pain processing in the central nervous system of awake behaving animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kiernan Bloye
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Kevin N Vanent
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Muhammad M Edhi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, 02903, USA
| | - Carl Y Saab
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, 02903, USA.,Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - David A Borton
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA. .,Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA. .,Center for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology, Rehabilitation R&D Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA.
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20
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Fried NT, Chamessian A, Zylka MJ, Abdus-Saboor I. Improving pain assessment in mice and rats with advanced videography and computational approaches. Pain 2020; 161:1420-1424. [PMID: 32102021 PMCID: PMC7302333 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan T. Fried
- Department of Biology, Rutgers University-Camden, Camden, NJ, United States
| | - Alexander Chamessian
- Departments of Neurology and
- Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Mark J. Zylka
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Ishmail Abdus-Saboor
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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21
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Hill RZ, Bautista DM. Getting in Touch with Mechanical Pain Mechanisms. Trends Neurosci 2020; 43:311-325. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2020.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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22
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Haploinsufficiency of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene is associated with reduced pain sensitivity. Pain 2019; 160:1070-1081. [PMID: 30855519 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Rare pain-insensitive individuals offer unique insights into how pain circuits function and have led to the development of new strategies for pain control. We investigated pain sensitivity in humans with WAGR (Wilms tumor, aniridia, genitourinary anomaly, and range of intellectual disabilities) syndrome, who have variably sized heterozygous deletion of the 11p13 region. The deletion region can be inclusive or exclusive of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene, a crucial trophic factor for nociceptive afferents. Nociceptive responses assessed by quantitative sensory testing demonstrated reduced pain sensitivity only in the WAGR subjects whose deletion boundaries included the BDNF gene. Corresponding behavioral assessments were made in heterozygous Bdnf knockout rats to examine the specific role of Bdnf. These analogous experiments revealed impairment of Aδ- and C-fiber-mediated heat nociception, determined by acute nociceptive thermal stimuli, and in aversive behaviors evoked when the rats were placed on a hot plate. Similar results were obtained for C-fiber-mediated cold responses and cold avoidance on a cold-plate device. Together, these results suggested a blunted responsiveness to aversive stimuli. Our parallel observations in humans and rats show that hemizygous deletion of the BDNF gene reduces pain sensitivity and establishes BDNF as a determinant of nociceptive sensitivity.
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23
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Ramsden CE, Domenichiello AF, Yuan ZX, Sapio MR, Keyes GS, Mishra SK, Gross JR, Majchrzak-Hong S, Zamora D, Horowitz MS, Davis JM, Sorokin AV, Dey A, LaPaglia DM, Wheeler JJ, Vasko MR, Mehta NN, Mannes AJ, Iadarola MJ. A systems approach for discovering linoleic acid derivatives that potentially mediate pain and itch. Sci Signal 2017; 10:eaal5241. [PMID: 28831021 PMCID: PMC5805383 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aal5241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Chronic pain and itch are common hypersensitivity syndromes that are affected by endogenous mediators. We applied a systems-based, translational approach to predict, discover, and characterize mediators of pain and itch that are regulated by diet and inflammation. Profiling of tissue-specific precursor abundance and biosynthetic gene expression predicted that inflamed skin would be abundant in four previously unknown 11-hydroxy-epoxy- or 11-keto-epoxy-octadecenoate linoleic acid derivatives and four previously identified 9- or 13-hydroxy-epoxy- or 9- or 13-keto-epoxy-octadecenoate linoleic acid derivatives. All of these mediators were confirmed to be abundant in rat and human skin by mass spectrometry. However, only the two 11-hydroxy-epoxy-octadecenoates sensitized rat dorsal root ganglion neurons to release more calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which is involved in pain transmission, in response to low pH (which mimics an inflammatory state) or capsaicin (which activates ion channels involved in nociception). The two 11-hydroxy-epoxy-octadecenoates share a 3-hydroxy-Z-pentenyl-E-epoxide moiety, thus suggesting that this substructure could mediate nociceptor sensitization. In rats, intradermal hind paw injection of 11-hydroxy-12,13-trans-epoxy-(9Z)-octadecenoate elicited C-fiber-mediated sensitivity to thermal pain. In a randomized trial testing adjunctive strategies to manage refractory chronic headaches, reducing the dietary intake of linoleic acid was associated with decreases in plasma 11-hydroxy-12,13-trans-epoxy-(9Z)-octadecenoate, which correlated with clinical pain reduction. Human psoriatic skin had 30-fold higher 9-keto-12,13-trans-epoxy-(10E)-octadecenoate compared to control skin, and intradermal injection of this compound induced itch-related scratching behavior in mice. Collectively, these findings define a family of endogenous mediators with potential roles in pain and itch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher E Ramsden
- Lipid Mediators, Inflammation, and Pain Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 21224, USA.
- Intramural Program of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA
| | - Anthony F Domenichiello
- Lipid Mediators, Inflammation, and Pain Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 21224, USA
- Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Zhi-Xin Yuan
- Lipid Mediators, Inflammation, and Pain Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 21224, USA
| | - Matthew R Sapio
- Department of Perioperative Medicine, Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Gregory S Keyes
- Lipid Mediators, Inflammation, and Pain Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 21224, USA
| | - Santosh K Mishra
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Jacklyn R Gross
- Department of Perioperative Medicine, Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Sharon Majchrzak-Hong
- Intramural Program of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Daisy Zamora
- Lipid Mediators, Inflammation, and Pain Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 21224, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA
| | - Mark S Horowitz
- Lipid Mediators, Inflammation, and Pain Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 21224, USA
| | - John M Davis
- Lipid Mediators, Inflammation, and Pain Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 21224, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Alexander V Sorokin
- Section of Inflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Amit Dey
- Section of Inflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Danielle M LaPaglia
- Department of Perioperative Medicine, Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Joshua J Wheeler
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Michael R Vasko
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Nehal N Mehta
- Section of Inflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Andrew J Mannes
- Department of Perioperative Medicine, Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Michael J Iadarola
- Department of Perioperative Medicine, Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
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