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Chang X, Zhang H, Chen S. Neural circuits regulating visceral pain. Commun Biol 2024; 7:457. [PMID: 38615103 PMCID: PMC11016080 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06148-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Visceral hypersensitivity, a common clinical manifestation of irritable bowel syndrome, may contribute to the development of chronic visceral pain, which is a major challenge for both patients and health providers. Neural circuits in the brain encode, store, and transfer pain information across brain regions. In this review, we focus on the anterior cingulate cortex and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus to highlight the progress in identifying the neural circuits involved in visceral pain. We also discuss several neural circuit mechanisms and emphasize the importance of cross-species, multiangle approaches and the identification of specific neurons in determining the neural circuits that control visceral pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Chang
- College of Acupuncture and Massage, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China.
- Research Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China.
| | - Haiyan Zhang
- Research Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Shaozong Chen
- Research Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China.
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Chen Z, Zhou T, Li Y, Li T, Ding Z, Liu L. Paraventricular Mast Cell-Derived Histamine Activates CRH Neurons to Mediate Adult Visceral Hypersensitivity Induced by Neonatal Maternal Separation. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1595. [PMID: 38002554 PMCID: PMC10670437 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13111595] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Neonatal maternal separation (NMS) is an early-life stress (ELS) that can result in adult visceral hypersensitivity, which is usually manifested as chronic visceral pain. Although mast cells and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons are involved in stress response, whether there is an interaction between mast cells and CRH neurons in hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) during the ELS-induced visceral hypersensitivity remains elusive. Herein, we established an NMS model by separating neonatal mice from their mothers, and observed that these mice presented visceral hypersensitivity in adulthood, as indicated by elevated abdominal withdrawal reflex and lowered visceral pain threshold. The NMS-induced adult visceral hypersensitivity was accompanied by activation of mast cells and CRH neurons in PVN. Also, NMS increased the histamine content (an inflammatory mediator mainly released by mast cells) and histamine H2 receptor (H2R) expression of CRH neurons in PVN. Remarkably, intra-PVN administration with mast cell stabilizer attenuated the NMS-induced CRH neuronal activation and adult visceral pain, while histamine administration showed the opposite effects. Moreover, intra-PVN injection with H2R antagonist alleviated the NMS-induced CRH neuronal activation, PKA and CREB phosphorylation, and importantly, adult visceral pain. Together, our findings revealed a role of an interaction between paraventricular mast cells and CRH neurons in NMS-induced adult visceral hypersensitivity, thereby providing a perspective for the management of visceral pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyang Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Tiantian Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital Affiliate with Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Yunfan Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Tingting Li
- Department of Geriatrics, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China;
| | - Zhengnian Ding
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Geriatrics, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China;
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Xu QY, Zhang HL, Du H, Li YC, Ji FH, Li R, Xu GY. Identification of a Glutamatergic Claustrum-Anterior Cingulate Cortex Circuit for Visceral Pain Processing. J Neurosci 2022; 42:8154-8168. [PMID: 36100399 PMCID: PMC9637003 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0779-22.2022] [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: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic visceral pain is a major challenge for both patients and health providers. Although the central sensitization of the brain is thought to play an important role in the development of visceral pain, the detailed neural circuits remain largely unknown. Using a well-established chronic visceral hypersensitivity model induced by neonatal maternal deprivation (NMD) in male mice, we identified a distinct pathway whereby the claustrum (CL) glutamatergic neuron projecting to the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is critical for visceral pain but not for CFA-evoked inflammatory pain. By a combination of in vivo circuit-dissecting extracellular electrophysiological approaches and visceral pain related electromyographic (EMG) recordings, we demonstrated that optogenetic inhibition of CL glutamatergic activity suppressed the ACC neural activity and visceral hypersensitivity of NMD mice whereas selective activation of CL glutamatergic activity enhanced the ACC neural activity and evoked visceral pain of control mice. Further, optogenetic studies demonstrate a causal link between such neuronal activity and visceral pain behaviors. Chemogenetic activation or inhibition of ACC neural activities reversed the effects of optogenetic manipulation of CL neural activities on visceral pain responses. Importantly, molecular detection showed that NMD significantly enhances the expression of NMDA receptors and activated CaMKIIα in the ACC postsynaptic density (PSD) region. Together, our data establish a functional role for CL→ACC glutamatergic neurons in gating visceral pain, thus providing a potential treatment strategy for visceral pain.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Studies have shown that sensitization of anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) plays an important role in chronic pain. However, it is as yet unknown whether there is a specific brain region and a distinct neural circuit that helps the ACC to distinguish visceral and somatic pain. The present study demonstrates that claustrum (CL) glutamatergic neurons maybe responding to colorectal distention (CRD) rather than somatic stimulation and that a CL glutamatergic projection to ACC glutamatergic neuron regulates visceral pain in mice. Furthermore, excessive NMDA receptors and overactive CaMKIIα in the ACC postsynaptic density (PSD) region were observed in mice with chronic visceral pain. Together, these findings reveal a novel neural circuity underlying the central sensitization of chronic visceral pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Ya Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, People's Republic of China
| | - Hai-Long Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, People's Republic of China
| | - Han Du
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong-Chang Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, People's Republic of China
| | - Fu-Hai Ji
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, People's Republic of China
| | - Guang-Yin Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, People's Republic of China
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Tao E, Long G, Yang T, Chen B, Guo R, Ye D, Fang M, Jiang M. Maternal Separation Induced Visceral Hypersensitivity Evaluated via Novel and Small Size Distention Balloon in Post-weaning Mice. Front Neurosci 2022; 15:803957. [PMID: 35153662 PMCID: PMC8831756 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.803957] [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: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Early life stress (ELS) disposes to functional gastrointestinal diseases in adult, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Maternal separation (MS) is a well-known animal model of IBS and has been shown to induce visceral hypersensitivity in adult rats and mice. However, to the best of our knowledge, it has not been reported whether MS induces visceral hypersensitivity in young mice, such as the post-weaning mice. Moreover, the method for evaluation of visceral sensitivity also has not been described. Accordingly, the present study aims to evaluate the visceral sensitivity caused by MS in post-weaning mice and develop a novel and small size distention balloon for assessment of visceral sensitivity of such mice. Male pups of C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into two groups, MS (n = 12) and non-separation (NS) (n = 10). MS pups were separated from the dams through postnatal days (PND) 2 to 14, while NS pups were undisturbed. After, all pups stayed with respective dams and were weaned at PND 22. Visceral sensitivity was evaluated by colorectal distention (CRD) with a novel and small size distention balloon at PND 25. The threshold of abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) scores were significantly lower in MS than NS. In addition, AWR scores at different pressures of CRD were significantly higher in MS than NS. The results demonstrate that MS induced visceral hypersensitivity in post-weaning mice. The designed small size distention balloon for evaluation of visceral sensitivity is of significance to further study the pathophysiology of IBS from early life to adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enfu Tao
- Endoscopy Center and Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, National Children’s Regional Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Wenling Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Wenling, China
| | - Gao Long
- Endoscopy Center and Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, National Children’s Regional Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ting Yang
- Endoscopy Center and Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, National Children’s Regional Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bo Chen
- Endoscopy Center and Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, National Children’s Regional Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Rui Guo
- Endoscopy Center and Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, National Children’s Regional Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Diya Ye
- Endoscopy Center and Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, National Children’s Regional Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Marong Fang
- Institute of Neuroscience and Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mizu Jiang
- Endoscopy Center and Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, National Children’s Regional Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Mizu Jiang,
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Mai L, Liu Q, Huang F, He H, Fan W. Involvement of Mast Cells in the Pathophysiology of Pain. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:665066. [PMID: 34177465 PMCID: PMC8222580 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.665066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mast cells (MCs) are immune cells and are widely distributed throughout the body. MCs are not only classically viewed as effector cells of some allergic diseases but also participate in host defense, innate and acquired immunity, homeostatic responses, and immunoregulation. Mounting evidence indicates that activation of MCs releasing numerous vasoactive and inflammatory mediators has effects on the nervous system and has been involved in different pain conditions. Here, we review the latest advances made about the implication of MCs in pain. Possible cellular and molecular mechanisms regarding the crosstalk between MC and the nervous system in the initiation and maintenance of pain are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijia Mai
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Institute of Stomatological Research, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Institute of Stomatological Research, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fang Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Institute of Stomatological Research, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongwen He
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Institute of Stomatological Research, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenguo Fan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Institute of Stomatological Research, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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