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Guo X, Jiang C, Chen Z, Wang X, Hong F, Hao D. Regulation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in spinal cord injury: an updated review. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1276445. [PMID: 38022526 PMCID: PMC10663250 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1276445] [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: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytokines are involved in neural homeostasis and pathological processes associated with neuroinflammation after spinal cord injury (SCI). The biological effect of cytokines, including those associated with acute or chronic SCI pathologies, are the result of receptor-mediated signaling through the Janus kinases (JAKs) as well as the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) DNA-binding protein families. Although therapies targeting at cytokines have led to significant changes in the treatment of SCI, they present difficulties in various aspects for the direct use by patients themselves. Several small-molecule inhibitors of JAKs, which may affect multiple pro-inflammatory cytokine-dependent pathways, as well as STATs, are in clinical development for the treatment of SCI. This review describes the current understanding of the JAK-STAT signaling in neuroendocrine homeostasis and diseases, together with the rationale for targeting at this pathway for the treatment of SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Guo
- Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Chao Jiang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zhe Chen
- Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xiaohui Wang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Fan Hong
- Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Dingjun Hao
- Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
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Nyman J, Guo N, Sandström A, Hallberg M, Nyberg F, Yu L. The amino-terminal heptapeptide of the algesic substance P provides analgesic effect in relieving chronic neuropathic pain. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 892:173820. [PMID: 33345847 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Of painful conditions, somatic pain of acute nociceptive origin can be effectively managed clinically, while neuropathic pain of chronic neuropathy origin is difficult to control. For molecules involved in pain sensation, substance P (SP) is algesic, exacerbating painful sensation, while its amino-terminal fragment, heptapeptide SP(1-7), confers biological activities different from its full-length parent neuropeptide precursor. We previously demonstrated SP(1-7) interaction with pain processing to alleviate chronic pain. Here we evaluated SP(1-7) and its C-terminal amidated analogue SP(1-7)amide, together with SP and opioid agonist DAMGO. We tested mouse behaviors of both acute somatic pain in tail-flick latency assay, and neuropathic pain in sciatic nerve injury model of chronic constriction injury (CCI). DAMGO produced dose-dependent analgesia for somatic pain as expected, so did both SP(1-7) and its analogue SP(1-7)amide, while SP yielded the opposite effect of algesia, in a phenomenon we termed 'contrintus', meaning 'opposite from within' to denote that two peptides of the same origin (SP and its metabolic fragment SP(1-7)) produced opposite effects. In CCI model, DAMGO showed a general reduction in allodynia sensitivity for both nerve-injured and normal paws, without selective effect for neuropathic pain, consistent with clinical observation that opioids are less effective for chronic neuropathic pain. On the other hand, both SP(1-7) and SP(1-7)amide displayed dose-dependent anti-allodynia effect that is selective for neuropathic pain. These findings suggest that SP(1-7) and its analogue may be useful for developing pharmaceuticals to treat neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Nyman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 591, S-751 24, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ning Guo
- Department of Genetics, and Center of Alcohol & Substance Use Studies, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854-8001, USA
| | - Anja Sandström
- The Beijer Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 574, SE-751 23, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mathias Hallberg
- The Beijer Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 591, S-751 24, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Fred Nyberg
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 591, S-751 24, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lei Yu
- Department of Genetics, and Center of Alcohol & Substance Use Studies, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854-8001, USA.
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Caroleo MC, Brizzi A, De Rosa M, Pandey A, Gallelli L, Badolato M, Carullo G, Cione E. Targeting Neuropathic Pain: Pathobiology, Current Treatment and Peptidomimetics as a New Therapeutic Opportunity. Curr Med Chem 2019; 27:1469-1500. [PMID: 31142248 DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666190530121133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
There is a huge need for pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of chronic Neuropathic Pain (NP), a complex condition where patients can suffer from either hyperalgesia or allodynia originating from central or peripheral nerve injuries. To date, the therapeutic guidelines include the use of tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors and anticonvulsants, beside the use of natural compounds and non-pharmacological options. Unfortunately, these drugs suffer from limited efficacy and serious dose-dependent adverse effects. In the last decades, the heptapeptide SP1-7, the major bioactive metabolite produced by Substance P (SP) cleavage, has been extensively investigated as a potential target for the development of novel peptidomimetic molecules to treat NP. Although the physiological effects of this SP fragment have been studied in detail, the mechanism behind its action is not fully clarified and the target for SP1-7 has not been identified yet. Nevertheless, specific binding sites for the heptapeptide have been found in brain and spinal cord of both mouse and rats. Several Structure-Affinity Relationship (SAR) studies on SP1-7 and some of its synthetic analogues have been carried out aiming to developing more metabolically stable and effective small molecule SP1-7-related amides that could be used as research tools for a better understanding of the SP1-7 system and, in a longer perspective, as potential therapeutic agents for future treatment of NP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Caroleo
- Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutrition Sciences, University of Calabria, Edificio Polifunzionale, 87026 Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Antonella Brizzi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Polo Scientifico San Miniato, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Maria De Rosa
- Drug Discovery Unit, Ri.MED Foundation, Palermo 90133, Italy
| | - Ankur Pandey
- Department of Chemistry and Center of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Punjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Luca Gallelli
- Department of Health Science, School of Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Mariateresa Badolato
- Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutrition Sciences, University of Calabria, Edificio Polifunzionale, 87026 Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Gabriele Carullo
- Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutrition Sciences, University of Calabria, Edificio Polifunzionale, 87026 Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Erika Cione
- Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutrition Sciences, University of Calabria, Edificio Polifunzionale, 87026 Rende (CS), Italy
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Abstract
Hybrid compounds (also known as chimeras, designed multiple ligands, bivalent compounds) are chemical units where two active components, usually possessing affinity and selectivity for distinct molecular targets, are combined as a single chemical entity. The rationale for using a chimeric approach is well documented as such novel drugs are characterized by their enhanced enzymatic stability and biological activity. This allows their use at lower concentrations, increasing their safety profile, particularly when considering undesirable side effects. In the group of synthetic bivalent compounds, drugs combining pharmacophores having affinities toward opioid and neurokinin-1 receptors have been extensively studied as potential analgesic drugs. Indeed, substance P is known as a major endogenous modulator of nociception both in the peripheral and central nervous systems. Hence, synthetic peptide fragments showing either agonism or antagonism at neurokinin 1 receptor were both assigned with analgesic properties. However, even though preclinical studies designated neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists as promising analgesics, early clinical studies revealed a lack of efficacy in human. Nevertheless, their molecular combination with enkephalin/endomorphin fragments has been considered as a valuable approach to design putatively promising ligands for the treatment of pain. This paper is aimed at summarizing a 20-year journey to the development of potent analgesic hybrid compounds involving an opioid pharmacophore and devoid of unwanted side effects. Additionally, the legitimacy of considering neurokinin-1 receptor ligands in the design of chimeric drugs is discussed.
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Bäckryd E, Edström S, Gerdle B, Ghafouri B. Do fragments and glycosylated isoforms of alpha-1-antitrypsin in CSF mirror spinal pathophysiological mechanisms in chronic peripheral neuropathic pain? An exploratory, discovery phase study. BMC Neurol 2018; 18:116. [PMID: 30115020 PMCID: PMC6097305 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-018-1116-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Post-translational modifications (PTMs) generate a tremendous protein diversity from the ~ 20,000 protein-coding genes of the human genome. In chronic pain conditions, exposure to pathological processes in the central nervous system could lead to disease-specific PTMs detectable in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In a previous hypothesis-generating study, we reported that seven out of 260 CSF proteins highly discriminated between neuropathic pain patients and healthy controls: one isoform of angiotensinogen (AG), two isoforms of alpha-1-antitrypsin (AT), three isoforms of haptoglobin (HG), and one isoform of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF). The present study had three aims: (1) To examine the multivariate inter-correlations between all identified isoforms of these seven proteins; (2) Based on the results of the first aim, to characterize PTMs in a subset of interesting proteins; (3) To regress clinical pain data using the 260 proteins as predictors, thereby testing the hypothesis that the above-mentioned seven discriminating proteins and/or the characterized isoforms/fragments of aim (2) would be among the proteins having the highest predictive power for clinical pain data. Methods CSF samples from 11 neuropathic pain patients and 11 healthy controls were used for biochemical analysis of protein isoforms. PTM characterization was performed using enzymatic reaction assay and mass spectrometry. Multivariate data analysis (principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least square regression) was applied on the quantified protein isoforms. Results We identified 5 isoforms of AG, 18 isoforms of AT, 5 isoforms of HG, and 5 isoforms of PEDF. Fragments and glycosylated isoforms of AT were studied in depth. When regressing the pain intensity data of patients, three isoforms of AT, two isoforms of PEDF, and one isoform of angiotensinogen “reappeared” as major results, i.e., they were major findings both when comparing patients with healthy controls and when regressing pain intensity in patients. Conclusions Altered levels of fragments and/or glycosylated isoforms of alpha-1-antitrypsin might mirror pathophysiological processes in the spinal cord of neuropathic pain patients. In particular, we suggest that a putative disease-specific combination of the levels of two different N-truncated fragments of alpha-1-antitrypsin might be interesting for future CSF and/or plasma biomarker investigations in chronic neuropathic pain. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12883-018-1116-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Bäckryd
- Pain and Rehabilitation Center, and Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Sofia Edström
- Pain and Rehabilitation Center, and Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Björn Gerdle
- Pain and Rehabilitation Center, and Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Bijar Ghafouri
- Pain and Rehabilitation Center, and Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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Skogh A, Lesniak A, Sköld C, Karlgren M, Gaugaz FZ, Svensson R, Diwakarla S, Jonsson A, Fransson R, Nyberg F, Hallberg M, Sandström A. An imidazole based H-Phe-Phe-NH 2 peptidomimetic with anti-allodynic effect in spared nerve injury mice. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2018; 28:2446-2450. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2018.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/03/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Skogh A, Lesniak A, Gaugaz FZ, Svensson R, Lindeberg G, Fransson R, Nyberg F, Hallberg M, Sandström A. Impact of N-methylation of the substance P 1–7 amide on anti-allodynic effect in mice after peripheral administration. Eur J Pharm Sci 2017; 109:533-540. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2017.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/02/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Skogh A, Lesniak A, Gaugaz FZ, Svensson R, Lindeberg G, Fransson R, Nyberg F, Hallberg M, Sandström A. Importance of N- and C-terminal residues of substance P 1-7 for alleviating allodynia in mice after peripheral administration. Eur J Pharm Sci 2017; 106:345-351. [PMID: 28587787 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2017.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Revised: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The heptapeptide SP1-7 (1, Arg1-Pro2-Lys3-Pro4-Gln5-Gln6-Phe7) is the major bioactive metabolite formed after proteolytic processing of the neuropeptide substance P (SP, Arg1-Pro2-Lys3-Pro4-Gln5-Gln6-Phe7-Phe8-Gly9-Leu10-Met11-NH2). The heptapeptide 1 frequently exhibits opposite effects to those induced by SP, such as exerting antinociception, or attenuating thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. The heptapeptide SP1-7 amide (2, Arg1-Pro2-Lys3-Pro4-Gln5-Gln6-Phe7-NH2) is often more efficacious than 1 in experimental pain models. We have now assessed the anti-allodynic outcome after systemic administration of 2 and a series of Ala-substituted and truncated analogues of 2, in the spared nerve injury (SNI) mice model and the results obtained were correlated with in vitro plasma stability and permeability measurements. It is herein demonstrated that an intact Arg1 in SP1-7 amide analogues is fundamental for retaining a potent in vivo effect, while Lys3 of 2 is less important. A displacement with Ala1 or truncation rendered the peptide analogues either inactive or with a significantly attenuated in vivo activity. Thus, the pentapeptide SP3-7 amide (7, t1/2=11.1 min) proven to be the major metabolite of 2, demonstrated an in vivo effect itself although considerably less significant than 2 in the SNI model. Intraperitoneal administration of 2 in a low dose furnished the most powerful anti-allodynic effect in the SNI model of all the analogous evaluated, despite a fast proteolysis of 2 in plasma (t1/2=6.4 min). It is concluded that not only the C-terminal residue, that we previously demonstrated, but also the N-terminal with its basic side chain, are important for achieving effective pain relief. This information is of value for the further design process aimed at identifying more drug-like SP1-7 amide related peptidomimetics with pronounced anti-allodynic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Skogh
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, BMC, Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Lesniak
- The Beijer Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Bioscience, Uppsala University, BMC, Box 591, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Fabienne Z Gaugaz
- Uppsala Drug Optimization and Pharmaceutical Profiling Platform (UDOPP), Science for Life Laboratory Drug Discovery and Development Platform, Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, BMC, Box 580, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Richard Svensson
- Uppsala Drug Optimization and Pharmaceutical Profiling Platform (UDOPP), Science for Life Laboratory Drug Discovery and Development Platform, Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, BMC, Box 580, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gunnar Lindeberg
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, BMC, Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Rebecca Fransson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, BMC, Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Fred Nyberg
- The Beijer Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Bioscience, Uppsala University, BMC, Box 591, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mathias Hallberg
- The Beijer Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Bioscience, Uppsala University, BMC, Box 591, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anja Sandström
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, BMC, Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden.
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Kim KT, Kim HJ, Cho DC, Bae JS, Park SW. Substance P stimulates proliferation of spinal neural stem cells in spinal cord injury via the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. Spine J 2015; 15:2055-65. [PMID: 25921821 DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2015.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Revised: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CONTEXT Substance P (SP) is a neuropeptide that can influence neural stem/progenitor cell (NSPC) proliferation and neurogenesis in the brain. However, we could not find any experimental study that investigates SP action in the spinal cord. PURPOSE The aims of our study were to investigate the potential of the neuropeptide SP in promoting the proliferation of spinal cord-derived NSPCs (SC-NSPCs) after spinal cord injury (SCI) and to clarify the roles of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling pathway in the process. STUDY DESIGN This is a randomized animal study. METHODS The SC-NSPCs were suspended in 100 μL of a neurobasal medium containing SP (binds neurokinin-1 receptor [NK1R]) or L-703,606 (NK1R antagonist) and cultured in a 96-well plate for 5 days. A cell proliferation assay was performed using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium assay. A cord clipping method was used for the SCI model. Substance P and the NK1R antagonist (L-703,606) were infused intrathecally in SCI and sham models. Neural stem/progenitor cell proliferation was evaluated with immunostaining for bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and the immature neural marker nestin. An immunoblotting method was used for evaluating the MAP kinase signaling protein that contains extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs and p38) and β-actin as the control group. RESULTS In vitro, SP (0.01-10 μmol/L) increased the proliferation of cultured SC-NSPCs, with a peak increase of 35±2% at the 0.1 μmol/L concentration. Substance P of 0.1 μmol/L continuously increased SC-NSPC proliferation from 6 hours to 5 days, whereas the proliferation decreased from 18% to 98% with L-703,606 (1-10 μM). Intrathecal infusion of SP (1 μmol/L) for 7 days significantly increased the number of proliferating NPSCs (cells positive for both BrdU and nestin) in the spinal cord (by 120±17%, p<.05) in adult rats, but infusion of L-703,606 (10 μmol/L) significantly decreased the post-SCI induction of NPSC proliferation in the spinal cord (by 87±4%). Also, SP stimulates proliferation of SC-NSPCs via the MAP kinase signaling pathway, especially the phosphorylated ERK and phosphorylated p38 proteins. The phosphorylated ERK and phosphorylated p38 protein levels increased with SP (0.1 μmol/L, p<.05). CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that SP can promote proliferation of SC-NSPCs in SCI and normal conditions and have important roles in neuronal regeneration after SCI. Also, ERKs and p38 MAP kinases are important signaling proteins in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung-Tae Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyungpook National University Hospital, 50 Samduk-2-ga, Jung-gu, Daegu 700-721, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hye-Jeong Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyungpook National University Hospital, 50 Samduk-2-ga, Jung-gu, Daegu 700-721, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Chul Cho
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyungpook National University Hospital, 50 Samduk-2-ga, Jung-gu, Daegu 700-721, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Sung Bae
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 680 Gukchaebosang-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu 700-842, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Won Park
- Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University Hospital, 224-1 Heukseok dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 156-755, Republic of Korea
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Jonsson A, Lind AL, Hallberg M, Nyberg F, Gordh T. Cerebrospinal fluid levels of substance P (SP) N-terminal fragment SP 1–7 in patients with neuropathic pain. Scand J Pain 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sjpain.2015.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Aims
Neuropathic pain is a complex and painful condition, which is difficult to treat and causes a lot of suffering. The substance P (SP) system is well known to be involved in nociceptive signaling and it has previously been shown that the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) level of SP is decreased in neuropathic pain. In this study we analyzed CSF from chronic neuropathic pain patients for the levels of SP1–7, an N-terminal fragment of SP with the ability to alleviate thermal as well as mechanical hypersensitivity in different animal models of chronic neuropathic pain, e.g. [1,2].
Methods
CSF was collected from 11 neuropathic pain patients, treated with SCS, who had refrained from using their spinal cord stimulator for 48h. Control CSF was collected from 11 patients without any known neurological disorder, who underwent minor surgery under spinal anesthesia. The CSF samples were analyzed for the levels of SP1–7 using radioimmunoassay.
Results
The results revealed a decrease in the level of SP1–7 compared to controls. We believe that the lower level ofSP1–7 most likely is a consequence of reduced amount of its precursor SP in the neuropathic pain patients.
Conclusions
Our results indicate that the SP system is changed in patients with neuropathic pain and that SP-related peptides, including SP1–7, might serve as biological markers for the patho-physiology of chronic neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Jonsson
- Uppsala University , Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences , Uppsala , Sweden
| | - A.-L. Lind
- Uppsala University Hospital , Department of Surgical Sciences, Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care , Uppsala , Sweden
| | - M. Hallberg
- Uppsala University , Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences , Uppsala , Sweden
| | - F. Nyberg
- Uppsala University , Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences , Uppsala , Sweden
| | - T. Gordh
- Uppsala University Hospital , Department of Surgical Sciences, Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care , Uppsala , Sweden
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11
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Jonsson A, Fransson R, Haramaki Y, Skogh A, Brolin E, Watanabe H, Nordvall G, Hallberg M, Sandström A, Nyberg F. Small constrained SP1-7 analogs bind to a unique site and promote anti-allodynic effects following systemic injection in mice. Neuroscience 2015; 298:112-9. [PMID: 25862586 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Revised: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Previous results have shown that the substance P (SP) N-terminal fragment SP1-7 may attenuate hyperalgesia and produce anti-allodynia in animals using various experimental models for neuropathic pain. The heptapeptide was found to induce its effects through binding to and activating specific sites apart from any known neurokinin or opioid receptor. Furthermore, we have applied a medicinal chemistry program to develop lead compounds mimicking the effect of SP1-7. The present study was designed to evaluate the pharmacological effect of these compounds using the mouse spared nerve injury (SNI) model of chronic neuropathic pain. Also, as no comprehensive screen with the aim to identify the SP1-7 target has yet been performed we screened our lead compound H-Phe-Phe-NH2 toward a panel of drug targets. The extensive target screen, including 111 targets, did not reveal any hit for the binding site among a number of known receptors or enzymes involved in pain modulation. Our animal studies confirmed that SP1-7, but also synthetic analogs thereof, possesses anti-allodynic effects in the mouse SNI model of neuropathic pain. One of the lead compounds, a constrained H-Phe-Phe-NH2 analog, was shown to exhibit a significant anti-allodynic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Jonsson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Box 591, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - R Fransson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Y Haramaki
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Box 591, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - A Skogh
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - E Brolin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Box 591, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - H Watanabe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Box 591, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - G Nordvall
- AstraZeneca, CNSP iMed Södertälje, Research & Development Innovative Medicines, SE-151 85 Södertälje, Sweden.
| | - M Hallberg
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Box 591, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - A Sandström
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - F Nyberg
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Box 591, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden.
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