1
|
Mogil JS, Parisien M, Esfahani SJ, Diatchenko L. Sex differences in mechanisms of pain hypersensitivity. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024:105749. [PMID: 38838876 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
The introduction of sex-as-a-biological-variable policies at funding agencies around the world has led to an explosion of very recent observations of sex differences in the biology underlying pain. This review considers evidence of sexually dimorphic mechanisms mediating pain hypersensitivity, derived from modern assays of persistent pain in rodent animal models. Three well-studied findings are described in detail: the male-specific role of spinal cord microglia, the female-specific role of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and the female-specific role of prolactin and its receptor. Other findings of sex-specific molecular involvement in pain are subjected to pathway analyses and reveal at least one novel hypothesis: that females may preferentially use Th1 and males Th2 T cell activity to mediate chronic pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey S Mogil
- Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1B1 CANADA.
| | - Marc Parisien
- Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1B1 CANADA
| | - Sahel J Esfahani
- Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1B1 CANADA
| | - Luda Diatchenko
- Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1B1 CANADA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Norris MR, Becker LJ, Bilbily J, Chang YH, Borges G, Dunn SS, Madasu MK, Vazquez CR, Cariello SA, Al-Hasani R, Creed MC, McCall JG. Spared nerve injury decreases motivation in long-access homecage-based operant tasks in mice. Pain 2024; 165:1247-1265. [PMID: 38015628 PMCID: PMC11095834 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003123] [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: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Neuropathic pain causes both sensory and emotional maladaptation. Preclinical animal studies of neuropathic pain-induced negative affect could result in novel insights into the mechanisms of chronic pain. Modeling pain-induced negative affect, however, is variable across research groups and conditions. The same injury may or may not produce robust negative affective behavioral responses across different species, strains, and laboratories. Here, we sought to identify negative affective consequences of the spared nerve injury model on C57BL/6J male and female mice. We found no significant effect of spared nerve injury across a variety of approach-avoidance conflict, hedonic choice, and coping strategy assays. We hypothesized these inconsistencies may stem in part from the short test duration of these assays. To test this hypothesis, we used the homecage-based Feeding Experimentation Device version 3 to conduct 12-hour, overnight progressive ratio testing to determine whether mice with chronic spared nerve injury had decreased motivation to earn palatable food rewards. Our data demonstrate that despite equivalent task learning, spared nerve injury mice are less motivated to work for a sugar pellet than sham controls. Furthermore, when we normalized behavioral responses across all the behavioral assays we tested, we found that a combined normalized behavioral score is predictive of injury state and significantly correlates with mechanical thresholds. Together, these results suggest that homecage-based operant behaviors provide a useful platform for modeling nerve injury-induced negative affect and that valuable pain-related information can arise from agglomerative data analyses across behavioral assays-even when individual inferential statistics do not demonstrate significant mean differences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Makenzie R. Norris
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Léa J. Becker
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - John Bilbily
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Yu-Hsuan Chang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Gustavo Borges
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Samantha S. Dunn
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Manish K. Madasu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Chayla R. Vazquez
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Solana A. Cariello
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ream Al-Hasani
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Meaghan C. Creed
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jordan G. McCall
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Qu Y, Cai R, Li Q, Wang H, Lu L. Neuroinflammation signatures in dorsal root ganglia following chronic constriction injury. Heliyon 2024; 10:e31481. [PMID: 38813203 PMCID: PMC11133895 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain (NP) is a common debilitating chronic pain condition with limited effective therapeutics. Further investigating mechanisms underlying NP is therefore of great importance for discovering more promising therapeutic targets. In the current study, we employed high-throughput RNA sequencing to explore transcriptome profiles of mRNAs and microRNAs in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) following chronic constriction injury (CCI) and also integrated published datasets for comprehensive analysis. First, we established CCI rat model confirmed by behavioral testings, and excavated 467 differentially expressed mRNAs (DEGs) and 16 differentially expressed microRNAs (DEmiRNAs) in the ipsilateral lumbar 4-6 DRG of CCI rats 11 days after surgery. Functional enrichment analysis of 337 upregulated DEGs showed that most of the DEGs were enriched in inflammation- and immune-associated biological processes and signaling pathways. The protein-protein interaction networks were constructed and hub DEGs were screened. Besides hub DEGs, we also identified 113 overlapped DEGs by intersecting our dataset with dataset GSE100122. Subsequently, we predicted potential miRNA-mRNA regulatory pairs using DEmiRNAs and a given set of key DEGs (including hub and overlapped DEGs). By integrative analysis, we found commonly differentially expressed mRNAs and miRNAs following CCI of different time points and different nerve injury types. Highlighted mRNAs include Atf3, Vip, Gal, Npy, Adcyap1, Reg3b, Jun, Cd74, Gadd45a, Tgm1, Csrp3, Sprr1a, Serpina3n, Gap43, Serpinb2 and Vtcn1, while miRNAs include miR-21-5p, miR-34a-5p, miR-200a-3p, miR-130a-5p, miR-216b-5p, miR-217-5p, and miR-541-5p. Additionally, 15 DEGs, including macrophages-specific (Cx3cr1, Arg1, Cd68, Csf1r) and the ones related to macrophages' involvement in NP (Ccl2, Fcgr3a, Bdnf, Ctss, Tyrobp) were verified by qRT-PCR. By functional experiments in future studies, promising therapeutic targets for NP treatment may be identified among these mRNAs and miRNAs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yao Qu
- Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, No.1 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
- Department of Pain Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Ruirui Cai
- School of Information Science and Technology, Institute of Computational Biology, Northeast Normal University, No.2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun, 130117, Jilin, China
| | - Qiao Li
- Department of Spinal Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Han Wang
- School of Information Science and Technology, Institute of Computational Biology, Northeast Normal University, No.2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun, 130117, Jilin, China
| | - Laijin Lu
- Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, No.1 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhang Y, Yang D, Shuai B, Ding H, Yang J, Wang J, Tang L, Yao S, Zhang Y. Diclofenac sodium nanomedicine results in pain-relief and differential expression of the RNA transcriptome in the spinal cord of SNI rats. Int J Pharm 2024; 659:124276. [PMID: 38821436 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Neuropathic pain is chronic pain caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system. Neuropathic pain, with a high incidence and complex pathogenesis, is one of the most significant areas of clinical medicine and basic research. Currently, prescribed treatments are still unsatisfactory or have limited effectiveness. A medicinal preparation is required that relieves the neuropathic pain and prolongs action time, which has not yet been discovered. In this study, MIL-101 (Fe) was employed as a drug carrier to regulate the release of diclofenac sodium, thereby achieving the effect of analgesia and sustained release. The release curves demonstrated that diclofenac sodium could be continuously released from MIL-101 (Fe) for more than 48 h. There was no toxicity in vitro and in vivo, and the safety of MIL-101 (Fe) was confirmed by hematoxylin and eosin as well as ELISA tests in vivo. The results of behavioral testing, pharmacokinetics, and RNA sequencing analysis showed that MIL-101 (Fe) loaded with diclofenac sodium could enhance the mechanical withdrawal threshold and alleviate cold allodynia induced by Spared Nerve Injury, prolonging the work time by three days. The results indicated that MIL-101 (Fe) exhibited excellent biocompatibility, while the MIL-101 (Fe)-DS demonstrated analgesic and controlled-release properties. These findings provide a scientific foundation for the clinical management of neuropathic pain and the development of a novel formulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Institute of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation (Huazhong University of Science and Technology), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Dong Yang
- Institute of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Department of Pain, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Bo Shuai
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Ding
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Jinghan Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Institute of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation (Huazhong University of Science and Technology), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Jia Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Institute of Health and Rehabilitation Science, Research Center for Brain-inspired Intelligence, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, The Key Laboratory of Neuro-informatics & Rehabilitation En-gineering of Ministry of Civil Affairs, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China; Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan 430022, Hubei, China
| | - Li Tang
- Institute of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Department of Pain, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Shanglong Yao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Institute of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation (Huazhong University of Science and Technology), Ministry of Education, China.
| | - Yan Zhang
- Institute of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Department of Pain, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tiwari N, Qiao LY. Sex Differences in Visceral Pain and Comorbidities: Clinical Outcomes, Preclinical Models, and Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms. Cells 2024; 13:834. [PMID: 38786056 PMCID: PMC11119472 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100834] [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: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Sexual dimorphism of visceral pain has been documented in clinics and experimental animal models. Aside from hormones, emerging evidence suggests the sex-differential intrinsic neural regulation of pain generation and maintenance. According to the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) and the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), up to 25% of the population have visceral pain at any one time, and in the United States 10-15 percent of adults suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Here we examine the preclinical and clinical evidence of sex differences in visceral pain focusing on IBS, other forms of bowel dysfunction and IBS-associated comorbidities. We summarize preclinical animal models that provide a means to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms in the sexual dimorphism of visceral pain. Neurons and nonneuronal cells (glia and immune cells) in the peripheral and central nervous systems, and the communication of gut microbiota and neural systems all contribute to sex-dependent nociception and nociplasticity in visceral painful signal processing. Emotion is another factor in pain perception and appears to have sexual dimorphism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Namrata Tiwari
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Liya Y. Qiao
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Yin Y, Haggerty DL, Zhou S, Atwood BK, Sheets PL. Converging Effects of Chronic Pain and Binge Alcohol Consumption on Anterior Insular Cortex Neurons Projecting to the Dorsolateral Striatum in Male Mice. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1287232024. [PMID: 38453466 PMCID: PMC11026341 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1287-23.2024] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are highly comorbid, and patients with chronic pain are more likely to meet the criteria for AUD. Evidence suggests that both conditions alter similar brain pathways, yet this relationship remains poorly understood. Prior work shows that the anterior insular cortex (AIC) is involved in both chronic pain and AUD. However, circuit-specific changes elicited by the combination of pain and alcohol use remain understudied. The goal of this work was to elucidate the converging effects of binge alcohol consumption and chronic pain on AIC neurons that send projections to the dorsolateral striatum (DLS). Here, we used the Drinking-in-the-Dark (DID) paradigm to model binge-like alcohol drinking in mice that underwent spared nerve injury (SNI), after which whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiological recordings were performed in acute brain slices to measure intrinsic and synaptic properties of AIC→DLS neurons. In male, but not female, mice, we found that SNI mice with no prior alcohol exposure consumed less alcohol compared with sham mice. Electrophysiological analyses showed that AIC→DLS neurons from SNI-alcohol male mice displayed increased neuronal excitability and increased frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents. However, mice exposed to alcohol prior to SNI consumed similar amounts of alcohol compared with sham mice following SNI. Together, our data suggest that the interaction of chronic pain and alcohol drinking have a direct effect on both intrinsic excitability and synaptic transmission onto AIC→DLS neurons in mice, which may be critical in understanding how chronic pain alters motivated behaviors associated with alcohol.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuexi Yin
- Medical Neurosciences Graduate Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
| | - David L Haggerty
- Medical Neurosciences Graduate Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
| | - Shudi Zhou
- Medical Neurosciences Graduate Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
| | - Brady K Atwood
- Medical Neurosciences Graduate Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
| | - Patrick L Sheets
- Medical Neurosciences Graduate Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zhang C, Li Y, Yu Y, Li Z, Xu X, Talifu Z, Liu W, Yang D, Gao F, Wei S, Zhang L, Gong H, Peng R, Du L, Li J. Impact of inflammation and Treg cell regulation on neuropathic pain in spinal cord injury: mechanisms and therapeutic prospects. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1334828. [PMID: 38348031 PMCID: PMC10859493 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1334828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury is a severe neurological trauma that can frequently lead to neuropathic pain. During the initial stages following spinal cord injury, inflammation plays a critical role; however, excessive inflammation can exacerbate pain. Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) have a crucial function in regulating inflammation and alleviating neuropathic pain. Treg cells release suppressor cytokines and modulate the function of other immune cells to suppress the inflammatory response. Simultaneously, inflammation impedes Treg cell activity, further intensifying neuropathic pain. Therefore, suppressing the inflammatory response while enhancing Treg cell regulatory function may provide novel therapeutic avenues for treating neuropathic pain resulting from spinal cord injury. This review comprehensively describes the mechanisms underlying the inflammatory response and Treg cell regulation subsequent to spinal cord injury, with a specific focus on exploring the potential mechanisms through which Treg cells regulate neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury. The insights gained from this review aim to provide new concepts and a rationale for the therapeutic prospects and direction of cell therapy in spinal cord injury-related conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chunjia Zhang
- School of Rehabilitation, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Spinal and Neural Functional Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Li
- Institute of Rehabilitation medicine, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Yu
- Institute of Rehabilitation medicine, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Zehui Li
- School of Rehabilitation, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Spinal and Neural Functional Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Xu
- School of Rehabilitation, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Spinal and Neural Functional Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Zuliyaer Talifu
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wubo Liu
- School of Rehabilitation, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Spinal and Neural Functional Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Degang Yang
- School of Rehabilitation, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Spinal and Neural Functional Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Gao
- School of Rehabilitation, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Spinal and Neural Functional Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Song Wei
- School of Rehabilitation, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Spinal and Neural Functional Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Liang Zhang
- School of Rehabilitation, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Spinal and Neural Functional Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Han Gong
- School of Rehabilitation, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Spinal and Neural Functional Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Run Peng
- School of Rehabilitation, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Spinal and Neural Functional Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Liangjie Du
- School of Rehabilitation, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Spinal and Neural Functional Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Jianjun Li
- School of Rehabilitation, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Spinal and Neural Functional Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
- Institute of Rehabilitation medicine, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ghazisaeidi S, Muley MM, Tu Y, Finn DP, Kolahdouzan M, Pitcher GM, Kim D, Sengar AS, Ramani AK, Brudno M, Salter MW. Conserved transcriptional programming across sex and species after peripheral nerve injury predicts treatments for neuropathic pain. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:2822-2836. [PMID: 37336547 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Chronic pain is a devastating problem affecting one in five individuals around the globe, with neuropathic pain the most debilitating and poorly treated type of chronic pain. Advances in transcriptomics have contributed to cataloguing diverse cellular pathways and transcriptomic alterations in response to peripheral nerve injury but have focused on phenomenology and classifying transcriptomic responses. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH To identifying new types of pain-relieving agents, we compared transcriptional reprogramming changes in the dorsal spinal cord after peripheral nerve injury cross-sex and cross-species, and imputed commonalities, as well as differences in cellular pathways and gene regulation. KEY RESULTS We identified 93 transcripts in the dorsal horn that were increased by peripheral nerve injury in male and female mice and rats. Following gene ontology and transcription factor analyses, we constructed a pain interactome for the proteins encoded by the differentially expressed genes, discovering new, conserved signalling nodes. We investigated the interactome with the Drug-Gene database to predict FDA-approved medications that may modulate key nodes within the network. The top hit from the analysis was fostamatinib, the molecular target of which is the non-receptor spleen associated tyrosine kinase (Syk), which our analysis had identified as a key node in the interactome. We found that intrathecally administrating the active metabolite of fostamatinib, R406 and another Syk inhibitor P505-15, significantly reversed pain hypersensitivity in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Thus, we have identified and shown the efficacy of an agent that could not have been previously predicted to have analgesic properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shahrzad Ghazisaeidi
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Program in Neuroscience & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Milind M Muley
- Program in Neuroscience & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - YuShan Tu
- Program in Neuroscience & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David P Finn
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Centre for Pain Research, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Mahshad Kolahdouzan
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Program in Neuroscience & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Graham M Pitcher
- Program in Neuroscience & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Doyeon Kim
- Program in Neuroscience & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ameet S Sengar
- Program in Neuroscience & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Arun K Ramani
- Centre for Computational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Michael Brudno
- Centre for Computational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Techna Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Toronto, Canada
| | - Michael W Salter
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Program in Neuroscience & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Yazar U, Guvercin AR, Rouhikia M, Aktoklu M, Demirci MA, Erbay I, Ayar A. Cerebrolysin provides effective protection on high glucose-induced neuropathy in cultured rat dorsal root ganglion neurons. J Recept Signal Transduct Res 2023; 43:109-114. [PMID: 38079610 DOI: 10.1080/10799893.2023.2291566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Cerebrolysin, an endogenous peptide with neuroprotective and neurotrophic properties, indicated to be beneficial on diabetic neuropathy by preliminary clinical and experimental studies but without evidence on central or peripheral action. Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, based on involvement of pain sensation in both health and disease as first relay centers for transmission and processing of peripheral nociceptive sensory signals, was used to investigate possible effects of Cerebrolysin on high glucose-induced neuropathy, as model. DRG's were obtained from adult rats and the isolated neurons were seeded on E-Plate®'s equipped with gold microelectrodes, and incubated in culture media in a CO2 incubator at 37 C. DRGs were exposed to high glucose (50 mM) in the absence and presence of different concentrations of Cerebrolysin ® (2-40 mg/ml). Cell index (derived from cell viability and neurite outgrowth) was recorded with Real-Time Cell Analyzer and was used as primary outcome measure. High glucose-induced cellular neuropathy and neuroprotective effects of Cerebrolysin was evaluated from area under the curve (AUC) of cell index-time graphs. Exposure of DRG neurons to high glucose caused a rapid and persistent decrease in the mean AUC values compared to normoglycemic controls. Co-treatment with Cerebrolysin (40 mg/ml) attenuated this high glucose-induced effect in a concentration-dependent manner. In normoglycemic conditions, treatment with Cerebrolysin caused a dose-dependent increase in the mean AUC values. Cerebrolysin treatment resulted in maintenance of the functional integrity, survival, and promotion of neurite outgrowth of the cultured DRG neurons exposed to high glucose, indicating involvement of peripheral sensory neurons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ugur Yazar
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Ali Rıza Guvercin
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Mahindokht Rouhikia
- Departments of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Aktoklu
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Ali Demirci
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Ibrahim Erbay
- Departments of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Ayar
- Departments of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Smith PA. Neuropathic pain; what we know and what we should do about it. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2023; 4:1220034. [PMID: 37810432 PMCID: PMC10559888 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2023.1220034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain can result from injury to, or disease of the nervous system. It is notoriously difficult to treat. Peripheral nerve injury promotes Schwann cell activation and invasion of immunocompetent cells into the site of injury, spinal cord and higher sensory structures such as thalamus and cingulate and sensory cortices. Various cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, monoamines and neuropeptides effect two-way signalling between neurons, glia and immune cells. This promotes sustained hyperexcitability and spontaneous activity in primary afferents that is crucial for onset and persistence of pain as well as misprocessing of sensory information in the spinal cord and supraspinal structures. Much of the current understanding of pain aetiology and identification of drug targets derives from studies of the consequences of peripheral nerve injury in rodent models. Although a vast amount of information has been forthcoming, the translation of this information into the clinical arena has been minimal. Few, if any, major therapeutic approaches have appeared since the mid 1990's. This may reflect failure to recognise differences in pain processing in males vs. females, differences in cellular responses to different types of injury and differences in pain processing in humans vs. animals. Basic science and clinical approaches which seek to bridge this knowledge gap include better assessment of pain in animal models, use of pain models which better emulate human disease, and stratification of human pain phenotypes according to quantitative assessment of signs and symptoms of disease. This can lead to more personalized and effective treatments for individual patients. Significance statement: There is an urgent need to find new treatments for neuropathic pain. Although classical animal models have revealed essential features of pain aetiology such as peripheral and central sensitization and some of the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved, they do not adequately model the multiplicity of disease states or injuries that may bring forth neuropathic pain in the clinic. This review seeks to integrate information from the multiplicity of disciplines that seek to understand neuropathic pain; including immunology, cell biology, electrophysiology and biophysics, anatomy, cell biology, neurology, molecular biology, pharmacology and behavioral science. Beyond this, it underlines ongoing refinements in basic science and clinical practice that will engender improved approaches to pain management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter A. Smith
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute and Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Wei H, Chen Z, Lei J, You HJ, Pertovaara A. Sex-related correspondence between mechanical hypersensitivity and the discharge of medullary pain control neurons in neuropathic rats. Neurosci Lett 2023; 813:137415. [PMID: 37544582 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2023.137415] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Here we studied whether the sex-related difference in mechanical hypersensitivity induced by neuropathy is associated with the discharge rate of medullary pain control neurons. We performed experiments in male and female rats with spared nerve injury (SNI) model of peripheral neuropathy. Mechanical hypersensitivity was assessed behaviorally by monofilaments. Discharge rates of pain-control neurons were determined using in vivo single unit recordings under light anesthesia. Recording targets were two medullary nuclei involved in descending pain control: the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) and the medullary dorsal reticular nucleus (DRt). Based on the response to peripheral noxious stimulus, neurons were classified as pronociceptive RVM ON-like or DRt neurons, or antinociceptive RVM OFF-like neurons. Behavioral results indicated that the mechanical hypersensitivity induced by SNI was significantly stronger in females than males. The ongoing discharge rates of pronociceptive RVM ON-like neurons were higher and those of antinociceptive RVM OFF-like neurons lower in SNI females than SNI males. Ongoing discharge rates of pronociceptive DRt neurons were not significantly different between SNI females and males. The results suggest that a sex difference in the discharge rate of pain control neurons in the RVM but not DRt may contribute to the maintenance of stronger neuropathic hypersensitivity in females.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong Wei
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Zuyue Chen
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Medical Imaging, School of Medicine, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, PR China
| | - Jing Lei
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Center for Translational Medicine Research on Sensory-Motor Diseases, Yan'an University, Yan'an, PR China
| | - Hao-Jun You
- Center for Translational Medicine Research on Sensory-Motor Diseases, Yan'an University, Yan'an, PR China
| | - Antti Pertovaara
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Norris MR, Dunn SS, Aravamuthan BR, McCall JG. Spared nerve injury causes motor phenotypes unrelated to pain in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.07.548155. [PMID: 37461475 PMCID: PMC10350052 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.07.548155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Most animal models of neuropathic pain use targeted nerve injuries quantified with motor reflexive measures in response to an applied noxious stimulus. These motor reflexive measures can only accurately represent a pain response if motor function in also intact. The commonly used spared nerve injury (SNI) model, however, damages the tibial and common peroneal nerves that should result in motor phenotypes (i.e., an immobile or "flail" foot) not typically captured in sensory assays. To test the extent of these issues, we used DeepLabCut, a deep learning-based markerless pose estimation tool to quantify spontaneous limb position in C57BL/6J mice during tail suspension following either SNI or sham surgery. Using this granular detail, we identified the expected flail foot-like impairment, but we also found SNI mice hold their injured limb closer to the body midline compared to shams. These phenotypes were not present in the Complete Freunds Adjuvant model of inflammatory pain and were not reversed by multiple analgesics with different mechanisms of action, suggesting these SNI-specific phenotypes are not directly related to pain. Together these results suggest SNI causes previously undescribed phenotypes unrelated to altered sensation that are likely underappreciated while interpreting preclinical pain research outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Makenzie R. Norris
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Samantha S. Dunn
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Bhooma R. Aravamuthan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jordan G. McCall
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Jiang S, Liang J, Li W, Wang L, Song M, Xu S, Liu G, Du Q, Zhai D, Tang L, Yang Y, Zhang L, Zhang B. The role of CXCL1/CXCR2 axis in neurological diseases. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 120:110330. [PMID: 37247498 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The C-X-C chemokine ligand (CXCL) 1 and its receptor C-X-C chemokine receptor (CXCR) 2 are widely expressed in the peripheral nervous systems (PNS) and central nervous systems (CNS) and are involved in the development of inflammation and pain after various nerve injuries. Once a nerve is damaged, it affects not only the neuron itself but also lesions elsewhere in its dominant site. After the CXCL1/CXCR2 axis is activated, multiple downstream pathways can be activated, such as c-Raf/MAPK/AP-1, p-PKC-μ/p-ILK/NLRP3, JAK2/STAT3, TAK1/NF-κB, etc. These pathways in turn mediate cellular motility state or cell migration. CXCR2 is expressed on the surface of neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages. These cells can be recruited to the lesion through the CXCL1/CXCR2 axis to participate in the inflammatory response. The expression of CXCR2 in neurons can activate some pathways in neurons through the CXCL1/CXCR2 axis, thereby causing damage to neurons. CXCR2 is also expressed in astrocytes, and when CXCR2 activated, it increases the number of astrocytes but impairs their function. Since inflammation can occur at almost any site of injury, elucidating the mechanism of CXCL1/CXCR2 axis' influence on inflammation may provide a favorable target for clinical treatment. Therefore, this article reviews the research progress of the CXCL1/CXCR2 axis in neurological diseases, aiming to provide a more meaningful theoretical basis for the treatment of neurological diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suli Jiang
- Department of Immunology, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China
| | - Jie Liang
- Department of Immunology, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Immunology, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China
| | - Luoyang Wang
- Department of Immunology, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China
| | - Meiying Song
- Department of Immunology, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China
| | - Shuo Xu
- Department of Immunology, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China
| | - Guixian Liu
- Department of Immunology, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China
| | - Qiaochu Du
- Department of Immunology, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China
| | - Dongchang Zhai
- Department of Special Medicine, School of Basic Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China
| | - Lei Tang
- Department of Special Medicine, School of Basic Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China
| | - Yanyan Yang
- Department of Immunology, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China
| | - Bei Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Deal B, Phillips K, Crelli C, Janjic JM, Pollock JA. RNA-Seq Reveals Sex Differences in Gene Expression during Peripheral Neuropathic Inflammation and in Pain Relief from a COX-2 Inhibiting Theranostic Nanoemulsion. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119163. [PMID: 37298117 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119163] [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: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Given decades of neuroinflammatory pain research focused only on males, there is an urgent need to better understand neuroinflammatory pain in females. This, paired with the fact that currently there is no long-term effective treatment for neuropathic pain furthers the need to evaluate how neuropathic pain develops in both sexes and how it can be relieved. Here we show that chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve caused comparable levels of mechanical allodynia in both sexes. Using a COX-2 inhibiting theranostic nanoemulsion with increased drug loading, both sexes achieved similar reduction in mechanical hypersensitivity. Given that both sexes have improved pain behavior, we specifically explored differential gene expression between sexes in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) during pain and relief. Total RNA from the DRG revealed a sexually dimorphic expression for injury and relief caused by COX-2 inhibition. Of note, both males and females experience increased expression of activating transcription factor 3 (Atf3), however, only the female DRG shows decreased expression following drug treatment. Alternatively, S100A8 and S100A9 expression appear to play a sex specific role in relief in males. The sex differences in RNA expression reveal that comparable behavior does not necessitate the same gene expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brooke Deal
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science & Engineering, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
- Chronic Pain Research Consortium, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
| | - Katherine Phillips
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science & Engineering, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
- Chronic Pain Research Consortium, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
| | - Caitlin Crelli
- Chronic Pain Research Consortium, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
| | - Jelena M Janjic
- Chronic Pain Research Consortium, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
| | - John A Pollock
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science & Engineering, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
- Chronic Pain Research Consortium, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Sex Differences in the Expression of Neuroimmune Molecules in the Spinal Cord of a Mouse Model of Antiretroviral-Induced Neuropathic Pain. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030875. [PMID: 36979854 PMCID: PMC10045154 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), drugs used to treat HIV infection, can cause neuropathic pain (NP) and neuroinflammation. An NRTI, 2′-3′-dideoxycytidine (ddC), was reported to induce mechanical allodynia and increase proinflammatory cytokines in the brains of female mice. In some models of NP, microglia activation is important for NP pathophysiology in male mice, while T cells are important in female mice. Age-matched female and male mice (BALB/c strain) treated intraperitoneally once daily with ddC for 5 days developed mechanical allodynia. Treatment with ddC increased Cd11b, H2-Aa, Cd3e, Mapk1, Il1b, Tnf, and Il10 mRNA levels in the spinal cords of female, but not male, mice, whereas there was no alteration found in Gfap and Mapk14 transcripts in both sexes on day 7 after ddC administration. The protein expression of CD11b and phospho-p38 MAPK was significantly increased in the spinal cords of ddC-treated female, but not male, mice, whereas Iba1 protein was elevated in ddC-treated male mice. There was no change in GFAP, CD3e, and phospho-p44/42 MAPK protein levels in both sexes. Thus, changes in neuroimmune cells and molecules in the spinal cords during ddC-induced neuroinflammation were sex-dependent, with female mice being more prone to neuroimmune changes than male mice.
Collapse
|
16
|
Jefferson T, Kim HR, Martina M. Impaired muscarinic modulation of the rat prelimbic cortex in neuropathic pain is sexually dimorphic and associated with cold allodynia. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:984287. [PMID: 36846207 PMCID: PMC9947152 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.984287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholinergic modulation of the brain cortex is critical for cognitive processes, and altered cholinergic modulation of the prefrontal cortex is emerging as an important mechanism of neuropathic pain. Sex differences in pain prevalence and perception are well known, yet the precise nature of the mechanisms responsible for sexual dimorphism in chronic neuropathic pain are poorly understood. Here we investigated potential sex differences in cholinergic modulation of layer five commissural pyramidal neurons of the rat prelimbic cortex in control conditions and in the SNI model of neuropathic pain. We discovered that cholinergic modulation is stronger in cells from male compared with female rats, and that in neuropathic pain rats, cholinergic excitation of pyramidal neurons was more severely impaired in males than in females. Finally, we found that selective pharmacological blockade of the muscarinic M1 subunit in the prefrontal cortex induces cold sensitivity (but not mechanical allodynia) in naïve animals of both sexes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marco Martina
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Ghazisaeidi S, Muley MM, Salter MW. Neuropathic Pain: Mechanisms, Sex Differences, and Potential Therapies for a Global Problem. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2023; 63:565-583. [PMID: 36662582 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-051421-112259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The study of chronic pain continues to generate ever-increasing numbers of publications, but safe and efficacious treatments for chronic pain remain elusive. Recognition of sex-specific mechanisms underlying chronic pain has resulted in a surge of studies that include both sexes. A predominant focus has been on identifying sex differences, yet many newly identified cellular mechanisms and alterations in gene expression are conserved between the sexes. Here we review sex differences and similarities in cellular and molecular signals that drive the generation and resolution of neuropathic pain. The mix of differences and similarities reflects degeneracy in peripheral and central signaling processes by which neurons, immune cells, and glia codependently drive pain hypersensitivity. Recent findings identifying critical signaling nodes foreshadow the development of rationally designed, broadly applicable analgesic strategies. However, the paucity of effective, safe pain treatments compels targeted therapies as well to increase therapeutic options that help reduce the global burden of suffering.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shahrzad Ghazisaeidi
- Program in Neurosciences & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada;
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- University of Toronto Centre for the Study of Pain, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Milind M Muley
- Program in Neurosciences & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada;
- University of Toronto Centre for the Study of Pain, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael W Salter
- Program in Neurosciences & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada;
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- University of Toronto Centre for the Study of Pain, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Piñero G, Vence M, Aranda ML, Cercato MC, Soto PA, Usach V, Setton-Avruj PC. All the PNS is a Stage: Transplanted Bone Marrow Cells Play an Immunomodulatory Role in Peripheral Nerve Regeneration. ASN Neuro 2023; 15:17590914231167281. [PMID: 37654230 PMCID: PMC10475269 DOI: 10.1177/17590914231167281] [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: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY STATEMENT Bone marrow cell transplant has proven to be an effective therapeutic approach to treat peripheral nervous system injuries as it not only promoted regeneration and remyelination of the injured nerve but also had a potent effect on neuropathic pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Piñero
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Cátedra de Química Biológica Patalógica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (IQUIFIB), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Pathology, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marianela Vence
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (IQUIFIB), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcos L. Aranda
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFYBO), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Neurobiology, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Magalí C. Cercato
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (IQUIFIB), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paula A. Soto
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Cátedra de Química Biológica Patalógica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (IQUIFIB), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Vanina Usach
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Cátedra de Química Biológica Patalógica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (IQUIFIB), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Patricia C. Setton-Avruj
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Cátedra de Química Biológica Patalógica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (IQUIFIB), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Gelsemine relieves the neuropathic pain by down-regulating DPP4 level in rats. Neurosci Lett 2023; 792:136961. [PMID: 36370955 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2022.136961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Based on the previous findings on the relieving role of gelsemine in neuropathic pain, this research aims to further investigate the relevant regulatory mechanism. METHODS Targets of gelsemine were predicted using SwissTargetPrediction. The peripheral neuropathic pain rat model was established by ligating spinal nerves, and then gelsemine (10 μg for one day) or dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) oligonucleotides (5 μg/day, for 7 days) was injected into intrathecal bolus of rats. The mechanical threshold (0, 1, 2, 4 h after the last injection) was examined to evaluate the mechanical allodynia of rats. After the mechanical threshold measurement, the rats were anesthetized with isoflurane and then sacrificed by cervical dislocation. IBA1- and DPP4-positive cells in the spinal dorsal horn of rats were determined using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assays. The expressions of DPP4, IL-1β and TNF-α in the spinal dorsal horn of rats were measured by Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS DPP4 was one of the targets of gelsemine. Gelsemine could elevate the down-regulated mechanical threshold, and lessen the up-regulated IBA1- and DPP4-positive cells and expressions of DPP4, IL-1β and TNF-α in the spinal dorsal horn of rats with neuropathic pain. DPP4 overexpression reversed the role of gelsemine in neuropathic pain. CONCLUSION Gelsemine relieves neuropathic pain by down-regulating DPP4 level in rats, providing a novel drug candidate and biomarker for neuropathic pain treatment.
Collapse
|
20
|
Xu L, Chen Z, Li X, Xu H, Zhang Y, Yang W, Chen J, Zhang S, Xu L, Zhou S, Li G, Yu B, Gu X, Yang J. Integrated analyses reveal evolutionarily conserved and specific injury response genes in dorsal root ganglion. Sci Data 2022; 9:666. [PMID: 36323676 PMCID: PMC9630366 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-022-01783-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Rodent dorsal root ganglion (DRG) is widely used for studying axonal injury. Extensive studies have explored genome-wide profiles on rodent DRGs under peripheral nerve insults. However, systematic integration and exploration of these data still be limited. Herein, we re-analyzed 21 RNA-seq datasets and presented a web-based resource (DRGProfile). We identified 53 evolutionarily conserved injury response genes, including well-known injury genes (Atf3, Npy and Gal) and less-studied transcriptional factors (Arid5a, Csrnp1, Zfp367). Notably, we identified species-preference injury response candidates (e.g. Gpr151, Lipn, Anxa10 in mice; Crisp3, Csrp3, Vip, Hamp in rats). Temporal profile analysis reveals expression patterns of genes related to pre-regenerative and regenerating states. Finally, we found a large sex difference in response to sciatic nerve injury, and identified four male-specific markers (Uty, Eif2s3y, Kdm5d, Ddx3y) expressed in DRG. Our study provides a comprehensive integrated landscape for expression change in DRG upon injury which will greatly contribute to the neuroscience community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lian Xu
- grid.260483.b0000 0000 9530 8833Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Ministry of Education and Jiangsu Province, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Nantong University, 19# Qixiu Road, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001 China
| | - Zhifeng Chen
- grid.260483.b0000 0000 9530 8833Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Ministry of Education and Jiangsu Province, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Nantong University, 19# Qixiu Road, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001 China
| | - Xiaodi Li
- grid.410745.30000 0004 1765 1045Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Hui Xu
- grid.260483.b0000 0000 9530 8833Nantong Institute of Genetics and Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu China
| | - Yu Zhang
- grid.410745.30000 0004 1765 1045Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Weiwei Yang
- grid.410745.30000 0004 1765 1045Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Chen
- grid.260483.b0000 0000 9530 8833Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Ministry of Education and Jiangsu Province, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Nantong University, 19# Qixiu Road, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001 China
| | - Shuqiang Zhang
- grid.260483.b0000 0000 9530 8833Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Ministry of Education and Jiangsu Province, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Nantong University, 19# Qixiu Road, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001 China
| | - Lingchi Xu
- grid.260483.b0000 0000 9530 8833Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Ministry of Education and Jiangsu Province, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Nantong University, 19# Qixiu Road, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001 China
| | - Songlin Zhou
- grid.260483.b0000 0000 9530 8833Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Ministry of Education and Jiangsu Province, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Nantong University, 19# Qixiu Road, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001 China
| | - Guicai Li
- grid.260483.b0000 0000 9530 8833Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Ministry of Education and Jiangsu Province, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Nantong University, 19# Qixiu Road, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001 China
| | - Bin Yu
- grid.260483.b0000 0000 9530 8833Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Ministry of Education and Jiangsu Province, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Nantong University, 19# Qixiu Road, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001 China
| | - Xiaosong Gu
- grid.260483.b0000 0000 9530 8833Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Ministry of Education and Jiangsu Province, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Nantong University, 19# Qixiu Road, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001 China ,grid.410745.30000 0004 1765 1045Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jian Yang
- grid.260483.b0000 0000 9530 8833Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Ministry of Education and Jiangsu Province, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Nantong University, 19# Qixiu Road, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001 China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Chernov AV, Shubayev VI. Sexual dimorphism of early transcriptional reprogramming in degenerating peripheral nerves. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1029278. [DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1029278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual dimorphism is a powerful yet understudied factor that influences the timing and efficiency of gene regulation in axonal injury and repair processes in the peripheral nervous system. Here, we identified common and distinct biological processes in female and male degenerating (distal) nerve stumps based on a snapshot of transcriptional reprogramming 24 h after axotomy reflecting the onset of early phase Wallerian degeneration (WD). Females exhibited transcriptional downregulation of a larger number of genes than males. RhoGDI, ERBB, and ERK5 signaling pathways increased activity in both sexes. Males upregulated genes and canonical pathways that exhibited robust baseline expression in females in both axotomized and sham nerves, including signaling pathways controlled by neuregulin and nerve growth factors. Cholesterol biosynthesis, reelin signaling, and synaptogenesis signaling pathways were downregulated in females. Signaling by Rho Family GTPases, cAMP-mediated signaling, and sulfated glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis were downregulated in both sexes. Estrogens potentially influenced sex-dependent injury response due to distinct regulation of estrogen receptor expression. A crosstalk of cytokines and growth hormones could promote sexually dimorphic transcriptional responses. We highlighted prospective regulatory activities due to protein phosphorylation, extracellular proteolysis, sex chromosome-specific expression, major urinary proteins (MUPs), and genes involved in thyroid hormone metabolism. Combined with our earlier findings in the corresponding dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and regenerating (proximal) nerve stumps, sex-specific and universal early phase molecular triggers of WD enrich our knowledge of transcriptional regulation in peripheral nerve injury and repair.
Collapse
|
22
|
Horan NL, McIlvried LA, Atherton MA, Yuan MM, Dolan JC, Scheff NN. The impact of tumor immunogenicity on cancer pain phenotype using syngeneic oral cancer mouse models. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2022; 3:991725. [PMID: 36172037 PMCID: PMC9512086 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2022.991725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients report severe function-induced pain at the site of the primary tumor. The current hypothesis is that oral cancer pain is initiated and maintained in the cancer microenvironment due to secretion of algogenic mediators from tumor cells and surrounding immune cells that sensitize the primary sensory neurons innervating the tumor. Immunogenicity, which is the ability to induce an adaptive immune response, has been widely studied using cancer cell transplantation experiments. However, oral cancer pain studies have primarily used xenograft transplant models in which human-derived tumor cells are inoculated in an athymic mouse lacking an adaptive immune response; the role of inflammation in oral cancer-induced nociception is still unknown. Using syngeneic oral cancer mouse models, we investigated the impact of tumor cell immunogenicity and growth on orofacial nociceptive behavior and oral cancer-induced sensory neuron plasticity. We found that an aggressive, weakly immunogenic mouse oral cancer cell line, MOC2, induced rapid orofacial nociceptive behavior in both male and female C57Bl/6 mice. Additionally, MOC2 tumor growth invoked a substantial injury response in the trigeminal ganglia as defined by a significant upregulation of injury response marker ATF3 in tongue-innervating trigeminal neurons. In contrast, using a highly immunogenic mouse oral cancer cell line, MOC1, we found a much slower onset of orofacial nociceptive behavior in female C57Bl/6 mice only as well as sex-specific differences in the tumor-associated immune landscape and gene regulation in tongue innervating sensory neurons. Together, these data suggest that cancer-induced nociceptive behavior and sensory neuron plasticity can greatly depend on the immunogenic phenotype of the cancer cell line and the associated immune response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole L. Horan
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Lisa A. McIlvried
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Megan A. Atherton
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Mona M. Yuan
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - John C. Dolan
- College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Nicole N. Scheff
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- *Correspondence: Nicole N. Scheff
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Chernov AV, Shubayev VI. Sexually dimorphic transcriptional programs of early-phase response in regenerating peripheral nerves. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:958568. [PMID: 35983069 PMCID: PMC9378824 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.958568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The convergence of transcriptional and epigenetic changes in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) reshapes the spatiotemporal gene expression landscape in response to nerve transection. The control of these molecular programs exhibits sexually dimorphic characteristics that remain not sufficiently characterized. In the present study, we recorded genome-wide and sex-dependent early-phase transcriptional changes in regenerating (proximal) sciatic nerve 24 h after axotomy. Male nerves exhibited more extensive transcriptional changes with male-dominant upregulation of cytoskeletal binding and structural protein genes. Regulation of mRNAs encoding ion and ionotropic neurotransmitter channels displayed prominent sexual dimorphism consistent with sex-specific mRNA axonal transport in an early-phase regenerative response. Protein kinases and axonal transport genes showed sexually dimorphic regulation. Genes encoding components of synaptic vesicles were at high baseline expression in females and showed post-injury induction selectively in males. Predictive bioinformatic analyses established patterns of sexually dimorphic regulation of neurotrophic and immune genes, including activation of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor Gfra1 receptor and immune checkpoint cyclin D1 (Ccnd1) potentially linked to X-chromosome encoded tissue inhibitor of matrix metallo proteinases 1 (Timp1). Regulatory networks involving Olig1, Pou3f3/Oct6, Myrf, and Myt1l transcription factors were linked to sex-dependent reprogramming in regenerating nerves. Differential expression patterns of non-coding RNAs motivate a model of sexually dimorphic nerve regenerative responses to injury determined by epigenetic factors. Combined with our findings in the corresponding dorsal root ganglia (DRG), unique early-phase sex-specific molecular triggers could enrich the mechanistic understanding of peripheral neuropathies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrei V. Chernov
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Andrei V. Chernov,
| | - Veronica I. Shubayev
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Presto P, Neugebauer V. Sex Differences in CGRP Regulation and Function in the Amygdala in a Rat Model of Neuropathic Pain. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:928587. [PMID: 35726298 PMCID: PMC9206543 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.928587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The amygdala has emerged as a key player in the emotional response to pain and pain modulation. The lateral and capsular regions of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) represent the “nociceptive amygdala” due to their high content of neurons that process pain-related information. These CeA divisions are the targets of the spino-parabrachio-amygdaloid pain pathway, which is the predominant source of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) within the amygdala. Changes in lateral and capsular CeA neurons have previously been observed in pain models, and synaptic plasticity in these areas has been linked to pain-related behavior. CGRP has been demonstrated to play an important role in peripheral and spinal mechanisms, and in pain-related amygdala plasticity in male rats in an acute arthritis pain model. However, the role of CGRP in chronic neuropathic pain-related amygdala function and behaviors remains to be determined for both male and female rats. Here we tested the hypothesis that the CGRP1 receptor is involved in neuropathic pain-related amygdala activity, and that blockade of this receptor can inhibit neuropathic pain behaviors in both sexes. CGRP mRNA expression levels in the CeA of male rats were upregulated at the acute stage of the spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model of neuropathic pain, whereas female rats had significantly higher CGRP and CGRP receptor component expression at the chronic stage. A CGRP1 receptor antagonist (CGRP 8-37) administered into the CeA in chronic neuropathic rats reduced mechanical hypersensitivity (von Frey and paw compression tests) in both sexes but showed female-predominant effects on emotional-affective responses (ultrasonic vocalizations) and anxiety-like behaviors (open field test). CGRP 8-37 inhibited the activity of CeA output neurons assessed with calcium imaging in brain slices from chronic neuropathic pain rats. Together, these findings may suggest that CGRP1 receptors in the CeA are involved in neuropathic pain-related amygdala activity and contribute to sensory aspects in both sexes but to emotional-affective pain responses predominantly in females. The sexually dimorphic function of CGRP in the amygdala would make CGRP1 receptors a potential therapeutic target for neuropathic pain relief, particularly in females in chronic pain conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peyton Presto
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Volker Neugebauer
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
- Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
- Garrison Institute on Aging, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
- *Correspondence: Volker Neugebauer
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Carta G, Fornasari BE, Fregnan F, Ronchi G, De Zanet S, Muratori L, Nato G, Fogli M, Gambarotta G, Geuna S, Raimondo S. Neurodynamic Treatment Promotes Mechanical Pain Modulation in Sensory Neurons and Nerve Regeneration in Rats. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10061296. [PMID: 35740318 PMCID: PMC9220043 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10061296] [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: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Somatic nerve injuries are a rising problem leading to disability associated with neuropathic pain commonly reported as mechanical allodynia (MA) and hyperalgesia. These symptoms are strongly dependent on specific processes in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Neurodynamic treatment (NDT), consisting of selective uniaxial nerve repeated tension protocols, effectively reduces pain and disability in neuropathic pain patients even though the biological mechanisms remain poorly characterized. We aimed to define, both in vivo and ex vivo, how NDT could promote nerve regeneration and modulate some processes in the DRG linked to MA and hyperalgesia. Methods: We examined in Wistar rats, after unilateral median and ulnar nerve crush, the therapeutic effects of NDT and the possible protective effects of NDT administered for 10 days before the injury. We adopted an ex vivo model of DRG organotypic explant subjected to NDT to explore the selective effects on DRG cells. Results: Behavioural tests, morphological and morphometrical analyses, and gene and protein expression analyses were performed, and these tests revealed that NDT promotes nerve regeneration processes, speeds up sensory motor recovery, and modulates mechanical pain by affecting, in the DRG, the expression of TACAN, a mechanosensitive receptor shared between humans and rats responsible for MA and hyperalgesia. The ex vivo experiments have shown that NDT increases neurite regrowth and confirmed the modulation of TACAN. Conclusions: The results obtained in this study on the biological and molecular mechanisms induced by NDT will allow the exploration, in future clinical trials, of its efficacy in different conditions of neuropathic pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Carta
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.C.); (B.E.F.); (G.R.); (S.D.Z.); (L.M.); (G.G.); (S.G.); (S.R.)
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.N.); (M.F.)
- Department of Rehabilitation, ASST (Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriali) Nord Milano, Sesto San Giovanni Hospital, Sesto San Giovanni, 20099 Milano, Italy
| | - Benedetta Elena Fornasari
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.C.); (B.E.F.); (G.R.); (S.D.Z.); (L.M.); (G.G.); (S.G.); (S.R.)
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.N.); (M.F.)
| | - Federica Fregnan
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.C.); (B.E.F.); (G.R.); (S.D.Z.); (L.M.); (G.G.); (S.G.); (S.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-(0)1-1670-5433; Fax: +39-(0)1-1903-8639
| | - Giulia Ronchi
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.C.); (B.E.F.); (G.R.); (S.D.Z.); (L.M.); (G.G.); (S.G.); (S.R.)
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.N.); (M.F.)
| | - Stefano De Zanet
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.C.); (B.E.F.); (G.R.); (S.D.Z.); (L.M.); (G.G.); (S.G.); (S.R.)
| | - Luisa Muratori
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.C.); (B.E.F.); (G.R.); (S.D.Z.); (L.M.); (G.G.); (S.G.); (S.R.)
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.N.); (M.F.)
| | - Giulia Nato
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.N.); (M.F.)
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy
| | - Marco Fogli
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.N.); (M.F.)
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy
| | - Giovanna Gambarotta
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.C.); (B.E.F.); (G.R.); (S.D.Z.); (L.M.); (G.G.); (S.G.); (S.R.)
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.N.); (M.F.)
| | - Stefano Geuna
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.C.); (B.E.F.); (G.R.); (S.D.Z.); (L.M.); (G.G.); (S.G.); (S.R.)
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.N.); (M.F.)
| | - Stefania Raimondo
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.C.); (B.E.F.); (G.R.); (S.D.Z.); (L.M.); (G.G.); (S.G.); (S.R.)
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy; (G.N.); (M.F.)
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Chernov AV, Shubayev VI. Sexual Dimorphism of Early Transcriptional Reprogramming in Dorsal Root Ganglia After Peripheral Nerve Injury. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:779024. [PMID: 34966260 PMCID: PMC8710713 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.779024] [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: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Peripheral nerve injury induces genome-wide transcriptional reprogramming of first-order neurons and auxiliary cells of dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Accumulating experimental evidence suggests that onset and mechanistic principles of post-nerve injury processes are sexually dimorphic. We examined largely understudied aspects of early transcriptional events in DRG within 24 h after sciatic nerve axotomy in mice of both sexes. Using high-depth RNA sequencing (>50 million reads/sample) to pinpoint sexually dimorphic changes related to regeneration, immune response, bioenergy, and sensory functions, we identified a higher number of transcriptional changes in male relative to female DRG. In males, the decline in ion channel transcripts was accompanied by the induction of innate immune cascades via TLR, chemokine, and Csf1-receptor axis and robust regenerative programs driven by Sox, Twist1/2, and Pax5/9 transcription factors. Females demonstrated nerve injury-specific transcriptional co-activation of the actinin 2 network. The predicted upstream regulators and interactive networks highlighted the role of novel epigenetic factors and genetic linkage to sex chromosomes as hallmarks of gene regulation post-axotomy. We implicated epigenetic X chromosome inactivation in the regulation of immune response activity uniquely in females. Sexually dimorphic regulation of MMP/ADAMTS metalloproteinases and their intrinsic X-linked regulator Timp1 contributes to extracellular matrix remodeling integrated with pro-regenerative and immune functions. Lexis1 non-coding RNA involved in LXR-mediated lipid metabolism was identified as a novel nerve injury marker. Together, our data identified unique early response triggers of sex-specific peripheral nerve injury regulation to gain mechanistic insights into the origin of female- and male-prevalent sensory neuropathies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrei V Chernov
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States.,VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Veronica I Shubayev
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States.,VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|