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Ochandarena NE, Niehaus JK, Tassou A, Scherrer G. Cell-type specific molecular architecture for mu opioid receptor function in pain and addiction circuits. Neuropharmacology 2023; 238:109597. [PMID: 37271281 PMCID: PMC10494323 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109597] [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: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Opioids are potent analgesics broadly used for pain management; however, they can produce dangerous side effects including addiction and respiratory depression. These harmful effects have led to an epidemic of opioid abuse and overdose deaths, creating an urgent need for the development of both safer pain medications and treatments for opioid use disorders. Both the analgesic and addictive properties of opioids are mediated by the mu opioid receptor (MOR), making resolution of the cell types and neural circuits responsible for each of the effects of opioids a critical research goal. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology is enabling the identification of MOR-expressing cell types throughout the nervous system, creating new opportunities for mapping distinct opioid effects onto newly discovered cell types. Here, we describe molecularly defined MOR-expressing neuronal cell types throughout the peripheral and central nervous systems and their potential contributions to opioid analgesia and addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole E Ochandarena
- Neuroscience Curriculum, Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program, The University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
| | - Jesse K Niehaus
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Adrien Tassou
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Grégory Scherrer
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; New York Stem Cell Foundation - Robertson Investigator, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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2
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Espinosa-Juárez JV, Chiquete E, Estañol B, Aceves JDJ. Optogenetic and Chemogenic Control of Pain Signaling: Molecular Markers. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10220. [PMID: 37373365 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210220] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Pain is a complex experience that involves physical, emotional, and cognitive aspects. This review focuses specifically on the physiological processes underlying pain perception, with a particular emphasis on the various types of sensory neurons involved in transmitting pain signals to the central nervous system. Recent advances in techniques like optogenetics and chemogenetics have allowed researchers to selectively activate or inactivate specific neuronal circuits, offering a promising avenue for developing more effective pain management strategies. The article delves into the molecular targets of different types of sensory fibers such as channels, for example, TRPV1 in C-peptidergic fiber, TRPA1 in C-non-peptidergic receptors expressed differentially as MOR and DOR, and transcription factors, and their colocalization with the vesicular transporter of glutamate, which enable researchers to identify specific subtypes of neurons within the pain pathway and allows for selective transfection and expression of opsins to modulate their activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josue Vidal Espinosa-Juárez
- Escuela de Ciencias Químicas Sede Ocozocoautla, Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas, Ocozocoautla de Espinosa 29140, Mexico
| | - Erwin Chiquete
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Bruno Estañol
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - José de Jesús Aceves
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
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3
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Coutens B, Ingram SL. Key differences in regulation of opioid receptors localized to presynaptic terminals compared to somas: Relevance for novel therapeutics. Neuropharmacology 2023; 226:109408. [PMID: 36584882 PMCID: PMC9898207 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109408] [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: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Opioid receptors are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that regulate activity within peripheral, subcortical and cortical circuits involved in pain, reward, and aversion processing. Opioid receptors are expressed in both presynaptic terminals where they inhibit neurotransmitter release and postsynaptic locations where they act to hyperpolarize neurons and reduce activity. Agonist activation of postsynaptic receptors at the plasma membrane signal via ion channels or cytoplasmic second messengers. Agonist binding initiates regulatory processes that include phosphorylation by G protein receptor kinases (GRKs) and recruitment of beta-arrestins that desensitize and internalize the receptors. Opioid receptors also couple to effectors from endosomes activating intracellular enzymes and kinases. In contrast to postsynaptic opioid receptors, receptors localized to presynaptic terminals are resistant to desensitization such that there is no loss of signaling in the continuous presence of opioids over the same time scale. Thus, the balance of opioid signaling in circuits expressing pre- and postsynaptic opioid receptors is shifted toward inhibition of presynaptic neurotransmitter release during continuous opioid exposure. The functional implication of this shift is not often acknowledged in behavioral studies. This review covers what is currently understood about regulation of opioid/nociceptin receptors, with an emphasis on opioid receptor signaling in pain and reward circuits. Importantly, the review covers regulation of presynaptic receptors and the critical gaps in understanding this area, as well as the opportunities to further understand opioid signaling in brain circuits. This article is part of the Special Issue on "Opioid-induced changes in addiction and pain circuits".
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Affiliation(s)
- Basile Coutens
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Susan L Ingram
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
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4
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Guan Q, Velho RV, Sehouli J, Mechsner S. Endometriosis and Opioid Receptors: Are Opioids a Possible/Promising Treatment for Endometriosis? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021633. [PMID: 36675147 PMCID: PMC9864914 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis (EM), defined as the presence of endometrial-like tissue with surrounding smooth muscle cells outside the uterus, is a disregarded gynecological disease reported to affect 6-10% of women of reproductive age, with 30-50% of them suffering from chronic pelvic pain and infertility. Since the exact pathogenic mechanisms of EM are still unclear, no curative therapy is available. As pain is an important factor in EM, optimal analgesia should be sought, which to date has been treated primarily with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), metamizole or, in extreme cases, opioids. Here, we review the pain therapy options, the mechanisms of pain development in EM, the endogenous opioid system and pain, as well as the opioid receptors and EM-associated pain. We also explore the drug abuse and addiction to opioids and the possible use of NOP receptors in terms of analgesia and improved tolerability as a target for EM-associated pain treatment. Emerging evidence has shown a promising functional profile of bifunctional NOP/MOP partial agonists as safe and nonaddictive analgesics. However, until now, the role of NOP receptors in EM has not been investigated. This review offers a thought which still needs further investigation but may provide potential options for relieving EM-associated pain.
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5
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Nimbalkar S, Guo X, Colón A, Jackson M, Akanda N, Patel A, Grillo M, Hickman JJ. Development of a functional human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived nociceptor MEA system as a pain model for analgesic drug testing. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1011145. [PMID: 36936691 PMCID: PMC10014464 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1011145] [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: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The control of severe or chronic pain has relied heavily on opioids and opioid abuse and addiction have recently become a major global health crisis. Therefore, it is imperative to develop new pain therapeutics which have comparable efficacy for pain suppression but lack of the harmful effects of opioids. Due to the nature of pain, any in vivo experiment is undesired even in animals. Recent developments in stem cell technology has enabled the differentiation of nociceptors from human induced pluripotent stem cells. This study sought to establish an in vitro functional induced pluripotent stem cells-derived nociceptor culture system integrated with microelectrode arrays for nociceptive drug testing. Nociceptors were differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells utilizing a modified protocol and a medium was designed to ensure prolonged and stable nociceptor culture. These neurons expressed nociceptor markers as characterized by immunocytochemistry and responded to the exogenous toxin capsaicin and the endogenous neural modulator ATP, as demonstrated with patch clamp electrophysiology. These cells were also integrated with microelectrode arrays for analgesic drug testing to demonstrate their utilization in the preclinical drug screening process. The neural activity was induced by ATP to mimic clinically relevant pathological pain and then the analgesics Lidocaine and the opioid DAMGO were tested individually and both induced immediate silencing of the nociceptive activity. This human-based functional nociceptive system provides a valuable platform for investigating pathological pain and for evaluating effective analgesics in the search of opioid substitutes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddharth Nimbalkar
- Hybrid Systems Lab, University of Central Florida, NanoScience Technology Center, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Xiufang Guo
- Hybrid Systems Lab, University of Central Florida, NanoScience Technology Center, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Alisha Colón
- Hybrid Systems Lab, University of Central Florida, NanoScience Technology Center, Orlando, FL, United States
| | | | - Nesar Akanda
- Hybrid Systems Lab, University of Central Florida, NanoScience Technology Center, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Aakash Patel
- Hybrid Systems Lab, University of Central Florida, NanoScience Technology Center, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Marcella Grillo
- Hybrid Systems Lab, University of Central Florida, NanoScience Technology Center, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - James J. Hickman
- Hybrid Systems Lab, University of Central Florida, NanoScience Technology Center, Orlando, FL, United States
- Hesperos Inc., Orlando, FL, United States
- *Correspondence: James J. Hickman,
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6
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Mercer Lindsay N, Chen C, Gilam G, Mackey S, Scherrer G. Brain circuits for pain and its treatment. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:eabj7360. [PMID: 34757810 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abj7360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Mercer Lindsay
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, UNC Neuroscience Center, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.,Department of Biology, CNC Program, Department of Applied Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Chong Chen
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, UNC Neuroscience Center, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Gadi Gilam
- Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Sean Mackey
- Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Grégory Scherrer
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, UNC Neuroscience Center, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.,New York Stem Cell Foundation-Robertson Investigator, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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7
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Peripheral antinociceptive effects of a bifunctional μ and δ opioid receptor ligand in rat model of inflammatory bladder pain. Neuropharmacology 2021; 196:108701. [PMID: 34256047 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
There is a need to develop a novel analgesic for pain associated with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS). The use of the conventional μ-opioid receptor agonists to manage IC/PBS pain is controversial due to adverse CNS effects. These effects are attenuated in benzylideneoxymorphone (BOM), a low-efficacy μ-opioid receptor agonist/δ-opioid receptor antagonist that attenuates thermal pain and is devoid of reinforcing effects. We hypothesize that BOM will inhibit bladder pain by attenuating responses of urinary bladder distension (UBD)-sensitive afferent fibers. Therefore, the effect of BOM was tested on responses of UBD-sensitive afferent fibers in L6 dorsal root from inflamed and non-inflamed bladder of rats. Immunohistochemical (IHC) examination reveals that following the induction of inflammation there were significant high expressions of μ, δ, and μ-δ heteromer receptors in DRG. BOM dose-dependently (1-10 mg/kg, i.v) attenuated mechanotransduction properties of these afferent fibers from inflamed but not from non-inflamed rats. In behavioral model of bladder pain, BOM significantly attenuated visceromotor responses (VMRs) to UBD only in inflamed group of rats when injected either systemically (10 mg/kg, i.v.) or locally into the bladder (0.1 ml of 10 mg/ml). Furthermore, oxymorphone (OXM), a high-efficacy μ-opioid receptor agonist, attenuated responses of mechanosensitive bladder afferent fibers and VMRs to UBD. Naloxone (10 mg/kg, i.v.) significantly reversed the inhibitory effects of BOM and OXM on responses of bladder afferent fibers and VMRs suggesting μ-opioid receptor-related analgesic effects of these compounds. The results reveal that a low-efficacy, bifunctional opioid-based compound can produce analgesia by attenuating mechanotransduction functions of afferent fibers innervating the urinary bladder.
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8
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Abstract
Preclinical evidence has highlighted the importance of the μ-opioid peptide (MOP) receptor on primary afferents for both the analgesic actions of MOP receptor agonists, as well as the development of tolerance, if not opioid-induced hyperalgesia. There is also growing interest in targeting other opioid peptide receptor subtypes (δ-opioid peptide [DOP], κ-opioid peptide [KOP], and nociceptin/orphanin-FQ opioid peptide [NOP]) on primary afferents, as alternatives to MOP receptors, which may not be associated with as many deleterious side effects. Nevertheless, results from several recent studies of human sensory neurons indicate that although there are many similarities between rodent and human sensory neurons, there may also be important differences. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the distribution of opioid receptor subtypes among human sensory neurons. A combination of pharmacology, patch-clamp electrophysiology, Ca imaging, and single-cell semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction was used. Our results suggest that functional MOP-like receptors are present in approximately 50% of human dorsal root ganglion neurons. δ-opioid peptide-like receptors were detected in a subpopulation largely overlapping that with MOP-like receptors. Furthermore, KOP-like and NOP-like receptors are detected in a large proportion (44% and 40%, respectively) of human dorsal root ganglion neurons with KOP receptors also overlapping with MOP receptors at a high rate (83%). Our data confirm that all 4 opioid receptor subtypes are present and functional in human sensory neurons, where the overlap of DOP, KOP, and NOP receptors with MOP receptors suggests that activation of these other opioid receptor subtypes may also have analgesic efficacy.
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9
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Linciano P, Sorbi C, Comitato A, Lesniak A, Bujalska-Zadrożny M, Pawłowska A, Bielenica A, Orzelska-Górka J, Kędzierska E, Biała G, Ronsisvalle S, Limoncella S, Casarini L, Cichero E, Fossa P, Satała G, Bojarski AJ, Brasili L, Bardoni R, Franchini S. Identification of a Potent and Selective 5-HT 1A Receptor Agonist with In Vitro and In Vivo Antinociceptive Activity. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:4111-4127. [PMID: 33263393 PMCID: PMC8016166 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioids are the gold standard drugs for the treatment of acute and chronic severe pain, although their serious side effects constitute a big limitation. In the search for new and safer drugs, 5-HT1AR agonists are emerging as potential candidates in pain relief therapy. In this work, we evaluated the affinity and activity of enantiomers of the two newly synthesized, potent 5-HT1AR agonists N-[(2,2-diphenyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl]-2-[2-(pyridin-4-yl)phenoxy]ethan-1-ammonium hydrogenoxalate (rac-1) and N-((2,2-diphenyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl)-2-(2-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenoxy)ethan-1-ammonium hydrogenoxalate (rac-2) in vitro and in vivo. The role of chirality in the interaction with 5-HT1AR was evaluated by molecular docking. The activity of the rac-1 was tested in mouse models of acute pain (hot plate) and severe tonic nociceptive stimulation (intraplantar formalin test). Rac-1 was active in the formalin test with a reduction in paw licking in both phases at 10 mg/kg, and its effect was abolished by the selective 5-HT1AR antagonist, WAY-100635. The eutomer (S)-1, but not the racemate, was active during the hot plate test at 10 and 20 mg/kg, and this effect was abolished by 30 min treatment with WAY-100635 at 30 min. Similarly to 8-OH-DPAT, (S)-1 evoked a slow outward current and depressed spontaneous glutamatergic transmission in superficial dorsal horn neurons, more effectively than rac-1. The eutomer (S)-1 showed promising developability properties, such as high selectivity over 5-HT subtypes, no interaction with the μ receptors, and low hepato- and cardiotoxicity. Therefore, (S)-1 may represent a potential candidate for the treatment of acute and chronic pain without having the adverse effects that are commonly associated with the classic opioid drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Linciano
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Claudia Sorbi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Antonella Comitato
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Anna Lesniak
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Bujalska-Zadrożny
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agata Pawłowska
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Bielenica
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jolanta Orzelska-Górka
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy with Division of Medical Analytics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4A, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Ewa Kędzierska
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy with Division of Medical Analytics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4A, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Grażyna Biała
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy with Division of Medical Analytics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4A, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Simone Ronsisvalle
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, I-95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Silvia Limoncella
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Livio Casarini
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Center for Genomic Research, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Elena Cichero
- Department of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Section, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 3, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Paola Fossa
- Department of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Section, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 3, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Grzegorz Satała
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12, Smętna Street, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Andrzej J. Bojarski
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12, Smętna Street, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Livio Brasili
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Rita Bardoni
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Silvia Franchini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
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10
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Parker KE, Sugiarto E, Taylor AMW, Pradhan AA, Al-Hasani R. Pain, Motivation, Migraine, and the Microbiome: New Frontiers for Opioid Systems and Disease. Mol Pharmacol 2020; 98:433-444. [PMID: 32958571 DOI: 10.1124/mol.120.119438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
For decades the broad role of opioids in addiction, neuropsychiatric disorders, and pain states has been somewhat well established. However, in recent years, with the rise of technological advances, not only is the existing dogma being challenged, but we are identifying new disease areas in which opioids play a critical role. This review highlights four new areas of exploration in the opioid field. The most recent addition to the opioid family, the nociceptin receptor system, shows promise as the missing link in understanding the neurocircuitry of motivation. It is well known that activation of the kappa opioid receptor system modulates negative affect and dysphoria, but recent studies now implicate the kappa opioid system in the modulation of negative affect associated with pain. Opioids are critical in pain management; however, the often-forgotten delta opioid receptor system has been identified as a novel therapeutic target for headache disorders and migraine. Lastly, changes to the gut microbiome have been shown to directly contribute to many of the symptoms of chronic opioid use and opioid related behaviors. This review summarizes the findings from each of these areas with an emphasis on identifying new therapeutic targets. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The focus of this minireview is to highlight new disease areas or new aspects of disease in which opioids have been implicated; this includes pain, motivation, migraine, and the microbiome. In some cases, this has resulted in the pursuit of a novel therapeutic target and resultant clinical trial. We believe this is very timely and will be a refreshing take on reading about opioids and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle E Parker
- Department of Anesthesiology and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri (K.E.P, R.A.-H.); Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (K.E.P., R.A.-H.); Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (E.S., A.M.W.T.); Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (E.S., A.M.W.T.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (A.A.P.); and St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, Missouri (R.A.-H.)
| | - Elizabeth Sugiarto
- Department of Anesthesiology and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri (K.E.P, R.A.-H.); Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (K.E.P., R.A.-H.); Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (E.S., A.M.W.T.); Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (E.S., A.M.W.T.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (A.A.P.); and St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, Missouri (R.A.-H.)
| | - Anna M W Taylor
- Department of Anesthesiology and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri (K.E.P, R.A.-H.); Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (K.E.P., R.A.-H.); Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (E.S., A.M.W.T.); Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (E.S., A.M.W.T.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (A.A.P.); and St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, Missouri (R.A.-H.)
| | - Amynah A Pradhan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri (K.E.P, R.A.-H.); Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (K.E.P., R.A.-H.); Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (E.S., A.M.W.T.); Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (E.S., A.M.W.T.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (A.A.P.); and St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, Missouri (R.A.-H.)
| | - Ream Al-Hasani
- Department of Anesthesiology and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri (K.E.P, R.A.-H.); Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (K.E.P., R.A.-H.); Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (E.S., A.M.W.T.); Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (E.S., A.M.W.T.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (A.A.P.); and St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, Missouri (R.A.-H.)
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11
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Habib AM, Nagi K, Thillaiappan NB, Sukumaran V, Akhtar S. Vitamin D and Its Potential Interplay With Pain Signaling Pathways. Front Immunol 2020; 11:820. [PMID: 32547536 PMCID: PMC7270292 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
About 50 million of the U.S. adult population suffer from chronic pain. It is a complex disease in its own right for which currently available analgesics have been deemed woefully inadequate since ~20% of the sufferers derive no benefit. Vitamin D, known for its role in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism, is thought to be of clinical benefit in treating chronic pain without the side-effects of currently available analgesics. A strong correlation between hypovitaminosis D and incidence of bone pain is known. However, the potential underlying mechanisms by which vitamin D might exert its analgesic effects are poorly understood. In this review, we discuss pathways involved in pain sensing and processing primarily at the level of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and the potential interplay between vitamin D, its receptor (VDR) and known specific pain signaling pathways including nerve growth factor (NGF), glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and opioid receptors. We also discuss how vitamin D/VDR might influence immune cells and pain sensitization as well as review the increasingly important topic of vitamin D toxicity. Further in vitro and in vivo experimental studies will be required to study these potential interactions specifically in pain models. Such studies could highlight the potential usefulness of vitamin D either alone or in combination with existing analgesics to better treat chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdella M Habib
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Karim Nagi
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | | | | | - Saghir Akhtar
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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12
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Agonist-induced phosphorylation bar code and differential post-activation signaling of the delta opioid receptor revealed by phosphosite-specific antibodies. Sci Rep 2020; 10:8585. [PMID: 32444688 PMCID: PMC7244497 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65589-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The δ-opioid receptor (DOP) is an attractive pharmacological target due to its potent analgesic, anxiolytic and anti-depressant activity in chronic pain models. However, some but not all selective DOP agonists also produce severe adverse effects such as seizures. Thus, the development of novel agonists requires a profound understanding of their effects on DOP phosphorylation, post-activation signaling and dephosphorylation. Here we show that agonist-induced DOP phosphorylation at threonine 361 (T361) and serine 363 (S363) proceeds with a temporal hierarchy, with S363 as primary site of phosphorylation. This phosphorylation is mediated by G protein-coupled receptor kinases 2 and 3 (GRK2/3) followed by DOP endocytosis and desensitization. DOP dephosphorylation occurs within minutes and is predominantly mediated by protein phosphatases (PP) 1α and 1β. A comparison of structurally diverse DOP agonists and clinically used opioids demonstrated high correlation between G protein-dependent signaling efficacies and receptor internalization. In vivo, DOP agonists induce receptor phosphorylation in a dose-dependent and agonist-selective manner that could be blocked by naltrexone in DOP-eGFP mice. Together, our studies provide novel tools and insights for ligand-activated DOP signaling in vitro and in vivo and suggest that DOP agonist efficacies may determine receptor post-activation signaling.
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13
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Quirion B, Bergeron F, Blais V, Gendron L. The Delta-Opioid Receptor; a Target for the Treatment of Pain. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:52. [PMID: 32431594 PMCID: PMC7214757 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, pain represents one of the most important societal burdens. Current treatments are, however, too often ineffective and/or accompanied by debilitating unwanted effects for patients dealing with chronic pain. Indeed, the prototypical opioid morphine, as many other strong analgesics, shows harmful unwanted effects including respiratory depression and constipation, and also produces tolerance, physical dependence, and addiction. The urgency to develop novel treatments against pain while minimizing adverse effects is therefore crucial. Over the years, the delta-opioid receptor (DOP) has emerged as a promising target for the development of new pain therapies. Indeed, targeting DOP to treat chronic pain represents a timely alternative to existing drugs, given the weak unwanted effects spectrum of DOP agonists. Here, we review the current knowledge supporting a role for DOP and its agonists for the treatment of pain. More specifically, we will focus on the cellular and subcellular localization of DOP in the nervous system. We will also discuss in further detail the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in controlling the cellular trafficking of DOP, known to differ significantly from most G protein-coupled receptors. This review article will allow a better understanding of how DOP represents a promising target to develop new treatments for pain management as well as where we stand as of our ability to control its cellular trafficking and cell surface expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Béatrice Quirion
- Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Département de Pharmacologie-Physiologie, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Francis Bergeron
- Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Département de Pharmacologie-Physiologie, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Véronique Blais
- Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Département de Pharmacologie-Physiologie, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Louis Gendron
- Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Département de Pharmacologie-Physiologie, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
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14
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Conibear AE, Asghar J, Hill R, Henderson G, Borbely E, Tekus V, Helyes Z, Palandri J, Bailey C, Starke I, von Mentzer B, Kendall D, Kelly E. A Novel G Protein-Biased Agonist at the δ Opioid Receptor with Analgesic Efficacy in Models of Chronic Pain. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2019; 372:224-236. [PMID: 31594792 PMCID: PMC6978697 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.119.258640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Agonists at the δ opioid receptor are known to be potent antihyperalgesics in chronic pain models and effective in models of anxiety and depression. However, some δ opioid agonists have proconvulsant properties while tolerance to the therapeutic effects can develop. Previous evidence indicates that different agonists acting at the δ opioid receptor differentially engage signaling and regulatory pathways with significant effects on behavioral outcomes. As such, interest is now growing in the development of biased agonists as a potential means to target specific signaling pathways and potentially improve the therapeutic profile of δ opioid agonists. Here, we report on PN6047 (3-[[4-(dimethylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-[1-(thiazol-5-ylmethyl)-4-piperidylidene]methyl]benzamide), a novel G protein–biased and selective δ opioid agonist. In cell-based assays, PN6047 fully engages G protein signaling but is a partial agonist in both the arrestin recruitment and internalization assays. PN6047 is effective in rodent models of chronic pain but shows no detectable analgesic tolerance following prolonged treatment. In addition, PN6047 exhibited antidepressant-like activity in the forced swim test, and importantly, the drug had no effect on chemically induced seizures. PN6047 did not exhibit reward-like properties in the conditioned place preference test or induce respiratory depression. Thus, δ opioid ligands with limited arrestin signaling such as PN6047 may be therapeutically beneficial in the treatment of chronic pain states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra E Conibear
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, United Kingdom (A.E.C., R.H., G.H., E.K.); Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan (J.A.); PharmInVivo Ltd., Szentagothai Research Centre, Centre for Neuroscience and Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary (E.B., V.T., Z.H.); Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom (J.P., C.B.); and PharmNovo AB, Kungshamn, Sweden (I.S., B.v.M., D.K.)
| | - Junaid Asghar
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, United Kingdom (A.E.C., R.H., G.H., E.K.); Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan (J.A.); PharmInVivo Ltd., Szentagothai Research Centre, Centre for Neuroscience and Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary (E.B., V.T., Z.H.); Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom (J.P., C.B.); and PharmNovo AB, Kungshamn, Sweden (I.S., B.v.M., D.K.)
| | - Rob Hill
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, United Kingdom (A.E.C., R.H., G.H., E.K.); Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan (J.A.); PharmInVivo Ltd., Szentagothai Research Centre, Centre for Neuroscience and Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary (E.B., V.T., Z.H.); Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom (J.P., C.B.); and PharmNovo AB, Kungshamn, Sweden (I.S., B.v.M., D.K.)
| | - Graeme Henderson
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, United Kingdom (A.E.C., R.H., G.H., E.K.); Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan (J.A.); PharmInVivo Ltd., Szentagothai Research Centre, Centre for Neuroscience and Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary (E.B., V.T., Z.H.); Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom (J.P., C.B.); and PharmNovo AB, Kungshamn, Sweden (I.S., B.v.M., D.K.)
| | - Eva Borbely
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, United Kingdom (A.E.C., R.H., G.H., E.K.); Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan (J.A.); PharmInVivo Ltd., Szentagothai Research Centre, Centre for Neuroscience and Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary (E.B., V.T., Z.H.); Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom (J.P., C.B.); and PharmNovo AB, Kungshamn, Sweden (I.S., B.v.M., D.K.)
| | - Valeria Tekus
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, United Kingdom (A.E.C., R.H., G.H., E.K.); Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan (J.A.); PharmInVivo Ltd., Szentagothai Research Centre, Centre for Neuroscience and Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary (E.B., V.T., Z.H.); Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom (J.P., C.B.); and PharmNovo AB, Kungshamn, Sweden (I.S., B.v.M., D.K.)
| | - Zsuzsanna Helyes
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, United Kingdom (A.E.C., R.H., G.H., E.K.); Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan (J.A.); PharmInVivo Ltd., Szentagothai Research Centre, Centre for Neuroscience and Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary (E.B., V.T., Z.H.); Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom (J.P., C.B.); and PharmNovo AB, Kungshamn, Sweden (I.S., B.v.M., D.K.)
| | - Josephine Palandri
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, United Kingdom (A.E.C., R.H., G.H., E.K.); Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan (J.A.); PharmInVivo Ltd., Szentagothai Research Centre, Centre for Neuroscience and Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary (E.B., V.T., Z.H.); Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom (J.P., C.B.); and PharmNovo AB, Kungshamn, Sweden (I.S., B.v.M., D.K.)
| | - Chris Bailey
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, United Kingdom (A.E.C., R.H., G.H., E.K.); Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan (J.A.); PharmInVivo Ltd., Szentagothai Research Centre, Centre for Neuroscience and Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary (E.B., V.T., Z.H.); Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom (J.P., C.B.); and PharmNovo AB, Kungshamn, Sweden (I.S., B.v.M., D.K.)
| | - Ingemar Starke
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, United Kingdom (A.E.C., R.H., G.H., E.K.); Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan (J.A.); PharmInVivo Ltd., Szentagothai Research Centre, Centre for Neuroscience and Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary (E.B., V.T., Z.H.); Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom (J.P., C.B.); and PharmNovo AB, Kungshamn, Sweden (I.S., B.v.M., D.K.)
| | - Bengt von Mentzer
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, United Kingdom (A.E.C., R.H., G.H., E.K.); Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan (J.A.); PharmInVivo Ltd., Szentagothai Research Centre, Centre for Neuroscience and Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary (E.B., V.T., Z.H.); Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom (J.P., C.B.); and PharmNovo AB, Kungshamn, Sweden (I.S., B.v.M., D.K.)
| | - David Kendall
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, United Kingdom (A.E.C., R.H., G.H., E.K.); Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan (J.A.); PharmInVivo Ltd., Szentagothai Research Centre, Centre for Neuroscience and Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary (E.B., V.T., Z.H.); Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom (J.P., C.B.); and PharmNovo AB, Kungshamn, Sweden (I.S., B.v.M., D.K.)
| | - Eamonn Kelly
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, United Kingdom (A.E.C., R.H., G.H., E.K.); Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan (J.A.); PharmInVivo Ltd., Szentagothai Research Centre, Centre for Neuroscience and Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary (E.B., V.T., Z.H.); Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom (J.P., C.B.); and PharmNovo AB, Kungshamn, Sweden (I.S., B.v.M., D.K.)
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15
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In Vitro Nociceptor Neuroplasticity Associated with In Vivo Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia. J Neurosci 2019; 39:7061-7073. [PMID: 31300521 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1191-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH) is a serious adverse event produced by opioid analgesics. Lack of an in vitro model has hindered study of its underlying mechanisms. Recent evidence has implicated a role of nociceptors in OIH. To investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of OIH in nociceptors, in vitro, subcutaneous administration of an analgesic dose of fentanyl (30 μg/kg, s.c.) was performed in vivo in male rats. Two days later, when fentanyl was administered intradermally (1 μg, i.d.), in the vicinity of peripheral nociceptor terminals, it produced mechanical hyperalgesia (OIH). Additionally, 2 d after systemic fentanyl, rats had also developed hyperalgesic priming (opioid-primed rats), long-lasting nociceptor neuroplasticity manifested as prolongation of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) hyperalgesia. OIH was reversed, in vivo, by intrathecal administration of cordycepin, a protein translation inhibitor that reverses priming. When fentanyl (0.5 nm) was applied to dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, cultured from opioid-primed rats, it induced a μ-opioid receptor (MOR)-dependent increase in [Ca2+]i in 26% of small-diameter neurons and significantly sensitized (decreased action potential rheobase) weakly IB4+ and IB4- neurons. This sensitizing effect of fentanyl was reversed in weakly IB4+ DRG neurons cultured from opioid-primed rats after in vivo treatment with cordycepin, to reverse of OIH. Thus, in vivo administration of fentanyl induces nociceptor neuroplasticity, which persists in culture, providing evidence for the role of nociceptor MOR-mediated calcium signaling and peripheral protein translation, in the weakly IB4-binding population of nociceptors, in OIH.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Clinically used μ-opioid receptor agonists such as fentanyl can produce hyperalgesia and hyperalgesic priming. We report on an in vitro model of nociceptor neuroplasticity mediating this opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH) and priming induced by fentanyl. Using this model, we have found qualitative and quantitative differences between cultured nociceptors from opioid-naive and opioid-primed animals, and provide evidence for the important role of nociceptor μ-opioid receptor-mediated calcium signaling and peripheral protein translation in the weakly IB4-binding population of nociceptors in OIH. These findings provide information useful for the design of therapeutic strategies to alleviate OIH, a serious adverse event of opioid analgesics.
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16
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Jeske NA. Dynamic Opioid Receptor Regulation in the Periphery. Mol Pharmacol 2019; 95:463-467. [PMID: 30723091 PMCID: PMC6442319 DOI: 10.1124/mol.118.114637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioids serve a vital role in the current analgesic array of treatment options. They are useful in acute instances involving severe pain associated with trauma, surgery, and terminal diseases such as cancer. In the past three decades, multiple receptor isoforms and conformations have been reported throughout literature. Most of these studies conducted systemic analyses of opioid receptor function, often generalizing findings from receptor systems in central nervous tissue or exogenously expressing immortalized cell lines as common mechanisms throughout physiology. However, a culmination of innovative experimental data indicates that opioid receptor systems are differentially modulated depending on their anatomic expression profile. Importantly, opioid receptors expressed in the peripheral nervous system undergo regulation uncommon to similar receptors expressed in central nervous system tissues. This distinctive characteristic begs one to question whether peripheral opioid receptors maintain anatomically unique roles, and whether they may serve an analgesic advantage in providing pain relief without promoting addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel A Jeske
- Departments of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Pharmacology, and Physiology, Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
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17
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Bazov I, Sarkisyan D, Kononenko O, Watanabe H, Yakovleva T, Hansson AC, Sommer WH, Spanagel R, Bakalkin G. Dynorphin and κ-Opioid Receptor Dysregulation in the Dopaminergic Reward System of Human Alcoholics. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 55:7049-7061. [PMID: 29383684 PMCID: PMC6061161 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0844-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Molecular changes induced by excessive alcohol consumption may underlie formation of dysphoric state during acute and protracted alcohol withdrawal which leads to craving and relapse. A main molecular addiction hypothesis is that the upregulation of the dynorphin (DYN)/κ-opioid receptor (KOR) system in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of alcohol-dependent individuals causes the imbalance in activity of D1- and D2 dopamine receptor (DR) expressing neural circuits that results in dysphoria. We here analyzed post-mortem NAc samples of human alcoholics to assess changes in prodynorphin (PDYN) and KOR (OPRK1) gene expression and co-expression (transcriptionally coordinated) patterns. To address alterations in D1- and D2-receptor circuits, we studied the regulatory interactions between these pathways and the DYN/KOR system. No significant differences in PDYN and OPRK1 gene expression levels between alcoholics and controls were evident. However, PDYN and OPRK1 showed transcriptionally coordinated pattern that was significantly different between alcoholics and controls. A downregulation of DRD1 but not DRD2 expression was seen in alcoholics. Expression of DRD1 and DRD2 strongly correlated with that of PDYN and OPRK1 suggesting high levels of transcriptional coordination between these gene clusters. The differences in expression and co-expression patterns were not due to the decline in neuronal proportion in alcoholic brain and thereby represent transcriptional phenomena. Dysregulation of DYN/KOR system and dopamine signaling through both alterations in co-expression patterns of opioid genes and decreased DRD1 gene expression may contribute to imbalance in the activity of D1- and D2-containing pathways which may lead to the negative affective state in human alcoholics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Bazov
- Division of Biological Research on Drug Dependence, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Box 591, BMC Husargatan 3, SE-75124, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Daniil Sarkisyan
- Division of Biological Research on Drug Dependence, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Box 591, BMC Husargatan 3, SE-75124, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Olga Kononenko
- Division of Biological Research on Drug Dependence, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Box 591, BMC Husargatan 3, SE-75124, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hiroyuki Watanabe
- Division of Biological Research on Drug Dependence, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Box 591, BMC Husargatan 3, SE-75124, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Tatiana Yakovleva
- Division of Biological Research on Drug Dependence, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Box 591, BMC Husargatan 3, SE-75124, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anita C Hansson
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68159, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Wolfgang H Sommer
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68159, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Rainer Spanagel
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68159, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Georgy Bakalkin
- Division of Biological Research on Drug Dependence, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Box 591, BMC Husargatan 3, SE-75124, Uppsala, Sweden
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18
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Christensen AJ, Iyer SM, François A, Vyas S, Ramakrishnan C, Vesuna S, Deisseroth K, Scherrer G, Delp SL. In Vivo Interrogation of Spinal Mechanosensory Circuits. Cell Rep 2017; 17:1699-1710. [PMID: 27806306 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2016] [Revised: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal dorsal horn circuits receive, process, and transmit somatosensory information. To understand how specific components of these circuits contribute to behavior, it is critical to be able to directly modulate their activity in unanesthetized in vivo conditions. Here, we develop experimental tools that enable optogenetic control of spinal circuitry in freely moving mice using commonly available materials. We use these tools to examine mechanosensory processing in the spinal cord and observe that optogenetic activation of somatostatin-positive interneurons facilitates both mechanosensory and itch-related behavior, while reversible chemogenetic inhibition of these neurons suppresses mechanosensation. These results extend recent findings regarding the processing of mechanosensory information in the spinal cord and indicate the potential for activity-induced release of the somatostatin neuropeptide to affect processing of itch. The spinal implant approach we describe here is likely to enable a wide range of studies to elucidate spinal circuits underlying pain, touch, itch, and movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia J Christensen
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Shrivats M Iyer
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Amaury François
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Saurabh Vyas
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Charu Ramakrishnan
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Sam Vesuna
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Karl Deisseroth
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Grégory Scherrer
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Stanford Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | - Scott L Delp
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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19
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Mecklenburg J, Patil MJ, Koek W, Akopian AN. Effects of local and spinal administrations of mu-opioids on postoperative pain in aged versus adult mice. Pain Rep 2017; 2:e584. [PMID: 28626834 PMCID: PMC5469295 DOI: 10.1097/pr9.0000000000000584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Revised: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Suboptimal management of postoperative pain leads to increased risk of chronic opioid therapy, especially in elderly patients. Objectives Although this age-dependent phenomenon has been observed clinically, basic mechanisms including baseline nociception, postoperative hypersensitivity, and mu-opioid efficiency in aged animals have never been evaluated. Methods We tested these criteria using incision model on adult (3–6 months) and aged (24 months) mice to assess translatability of postoperative animal studies to clinical observations. Results Thermal and mechanical testing revealed lower baseline nociception in aged vs adult mice, while behavioral assays after hind paw plantar incision showed similar hypersensitivity levels for both age groups. Efficiency of local and spinal mu-opioid injections on postoperative pain was assessed next. DAMGO, a pure mu-opioid, was effective in reducing postoperative hypersensitivity in aged and adult mice, although adult mice displayed increased sensitivity to higher doses (50 μg local; 1–15 μg spinal). Buprenorphine, a mixed mu-opioid agonist, produced dose-dependent antihypersensitivity with adult mice more sensitive to lower doses (0.1 μg local; 0.02 μg spinal), and aged mice more sensitive to higher doses (1, 10 μg local; 0.1, 1 μg spinal). Finally, exploratory locomotor activity was used to evaluate the suppression of incision-induced spontaneous pain by DAMGO. Spinal and systemic (intraperitoneal) DAMGO inhibited ongoing pain more in adults compared with aged mice. Conclusion As in humans, baseline nociception was lower in aged vs adult mice, while postoperative hypersensitivity magnitudes were comparable between groups. Unlike in humans, adult mice were more sensitive to mu-opioids, although higher doses of mixed mu-opioids were more effective for postoperative antihypersensitivity in aged mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Mecklenburg
- Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Mayur J. Patil
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Wouter Koek
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Armen N. Akopian
- Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
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Le Pichon CE, Chesler AT. The functional and anatomical dissection of somatosensory subpopulations using mouse genetics. Front Neuroanat 2014; 8:21. [PMID: 24795573 PMCID: PMC4001001 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2014.00021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The word somatosensation comes from joining the Greek word for body (soma) with a word for perception (sensation). Somatosensory neurons comprise the largest sensory system in mammals and have nerve endings coursing throughout the skin, viscera, muscle, and bone. Their cell bodies reside in a chain of ganglia adjacent to the dorsal spinal cord (the dorsal root ganglia) and at the base of the skull (the trigeminal ganglia). While the neuronal cell bodies are intermingled within the ganglia, the somatosensory system is in reality composed of numerous sub-systems, each specialized to detect distinct stimuli, such as temperature and touch. Historically, somatosensory neurons have been classified using a diverse host of anatomical and physiological parameters, such as the size of the cell body, degree of myelination, histological labeling with markers, specialization of the nerve endings, projection patterns in the spinal cord and brainstem, receptive tuning, and conduction velocity of their action potentials. While useful, the picture that emerged was one of heterogeneity, with many markers at least partially overlapping. More recently, by capitalizing on advances in molecular techniques, researchers have identified specific ion channels and sensory receptors expressed in subsets of sensory neurons. These studies have proved invaluable as they allow genetic access to small subsets of neurons for further molecular dissection. Data being generated from transgenic mice favor a model whereby an array of dedicated neurons is responsible for selectively encoding different modalities. Here we review the current knowledge of the different sensory neuron subtypes in the mouse, the markers used to study them, and the neurogenetic strategies used to define their anatomical projections and functional roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire E. Le Pichon
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of HealthBethesda, MD, USA
| | - Alexander T. Chesler
- Intramural Pain Program, Section on Sensory Cells and Circuits, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, National Institutes of HealthBethesda, MD, USA
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