1
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Messina DN, Peralta ED, Acosta CG. Complex alterations in inflammatory pain and analgesic sensitivity in young and ageing female rats: involvement of ASIC3 and Nav1.8 in primary sensory neurons. Inflamm Res 2024; 73:669-691. [PMID: 38483556 DOI: 10.1007/s00011-024-01862-z] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN Our aim was to determine an age-dependent role of Nav1.8 and ASIC3 in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in a rat pre-clinical model of long-term inflammatory pain. METHODS We compared 6 and 24 months-old female Wistar rats after cutaneous inflammation. We used behavioral pain assessments over time, qPCR, quantitative immunohistochemistry, selective pharmacological manipulation, ELISA and in vitro treatment with cytokines. RESULTS Older rats exhibited delayed recovery from mechanical allodynia and earlier onset of spontaneous pain than younger rats after inflammation. Moreover, the expression patterns of Nav1.8 and ASIC3 were time and age-dependent and ASIC3 levels remained elevated only in aged rats. In vivo, selective blockade of Nav1.8 with A803467 or of ASIC3 with APETx2 alleviated mechanical and cold allodynia and also spontaneous pain in both age groups with slightly different potency. Furthermore, in vitro IL-1β up-regulated Nav1.8 expression in DRG neurons cultured from young but not old rats. We also found that while TNF-α up-regulated ASIC3 expression in both age groups, IL-6 and IL-1β had this effect only on young and aged neurons, respectively. CONCLUSION Inflammation-associated mechanical allodynia and spontaneous pain in the elderly can be more effectively treated by inhibiting ASIC3 than Nav1.8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego N Messina
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Pain, Faculty of Medical Sciences, IHEM (Instituto de Histologia y Embriologia Mendoza, Dr. Mario H Burgos), Cuyo National University, Av. Del Libertador 80, 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Emanuel D Peralta
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Pain, Faculty of Medical Sciences, IHEM (Instituto de Histologia y Embriologia Mendoza, Dr. Mario H Burgos), Cuyo National University, Av. Del Libertador 80, 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Cristian G Acosta
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Pain, Faculty of Medical Sciences, IHEM (Instituto de Histologia y Embriologia Mendoza, Dr. Mario H Burgos), Cuyo National University, Av. Del Libertador 80, 5500, Mendoza, Argentina.
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2
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Vasylyev DV, Liu S, Waxman SG. I h current stabilizes excitability in rodent DRG neurons and reverses hyperexcitability in a nociceptive neuron model of inherited neuropathic pain. J Physiol 2023; 601:5341-5366. [PMID: 37846879 PMCID: PMC10843455 DOI: 10.1113/jp284999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
We show here that hyperpolarization-activated current (Ih ) unexpectedly acts to inhibit the activity of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons expressing WT Nav1.7, the largest inward current and primary driver of DRG neuronal firing, and hyperexcitable DRG neurons expressing a gain-of-function Nav1.7 mutation that causes inherited erythromelalgia (IEM), a human genetic model of neuropathic pain. In this study we created a kinetic model of Ih and used it, in combination with dynamic-clamp, to study Ih function in DRG neurons. We show, for the first time, that Ih increases rheobase and reduces the firing probability in small DRG neurons, and demonstrate that the amplitude of subthreshold oscillations is reduced by Ih . Our results show that Ih , due to slow gating, is not deactivated during action potentials (APs) and has a striking damping action, which reverses from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing, close to the threshold for AP generation. Moreover, we show that Ih reverses the hyperexcitability of DRG neurons expressing a gain-of-function Nav1.7 mutation that causes IEM. In the aggregate, our results show that Ih unexpectedly has strikingly different effects in DRG neurons as compared to previously- and well-studied cardiac cells. Within DRG neurons where Nav1.7 is present, Ih reduces depolarizing sodium current inflow due to enhancement of Nav1.7 channel fast inactivation and creates additional damping action by reversal of Ih direction from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing close to the threshold for AP generation. These actions of Ih limit the firing of DRG neurons expressing WT Nav1.7 and reverse the hyperexcitability of DRG neurons expressing a gain-of-function Nav1.7 mutation that causes IEM. KEY POINTS: Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels, the molecular determinants of hyperpolarization-activated current (Ih ) have been characterized as a 'pain pacemaker', and thus considered to be a potential molecular target for pain therapeutics. Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons express Nav1.7, a channel that is not present in central neurons or cardiac tissue. Gain-of-function mutations (GOF) of Nav1.7 identified in inherited erythromelalgia (IEM), a human genetic model of neuropathic pain, produce DRG neuron hyperexcitability, which in turn produces severe pain. We found that Ih increases rheobase and reduces firing probability in small DRG neurons expressing WT Nav1.7, and demonstrate that the amplitude of subthreshold oscillations is reduced by Ih . We also demonstrate that Ih reverses the hyperexcitability of DRG neurons expressing a GOF Nav1.7 mutation (L858H) that causes IEM. Our results show that, in contrast to cardiac cells and CNS neurons, Ih acts to stabilize DRG neuron excitability and prevents excessive firing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmytro V. Vasylyev
- Department of Neurology and Center for Neuroscience & Regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT 06516
| | - Shujun Liu
- Department of Neurology and Center for Neuroscience & Regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT 06516
| | - Stephen G. Waxman
- Department of Neurology and Center for Neuroscience & Regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT 06516
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3
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Tibbs GR, Uprety R, Warren JD, Beyer NP, Joyce RL, Ferrer MA, Mellado W, Wong VSC, Goldberg DC, Cohen MW, Costa CJ, Li Z, Zhang G, Dephoure NE, Barman DN, Sun D, Ingólfsson HI, Sauve AA, Willis DE, Goldstein PA. An anchor-tether 'hindered' HCN1 inhibitor is antihyperalgesic in a rat spared nerve injury neuropathic pain model. Br J Anaesth 2023; 131:745-763. [PMID: 37567808 PMCID: PMC10541997 DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2023.06.067] [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: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuropathic pain impairs quality of life, is widely prevalent, and incurs significant costs. Current pharmacological therapies have poor/no efficacy and significant adverse effects; safe and effective alternatives are needed. Hyperpolarisation-activated cyclic nucleotide-regulated (HCN) channels are causally implicated in some forms of peripherally mediated neuropathic pain. Whilst 2,6-substituted phenols, such as 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol (26DTB-P), selectively inhibit HCN1 gating and are antihyperalgesic, the development of therapeutically tolerable, HCN-selective antihyperalgesics based on their inverse agonist activity requires that such drugs spare the cardiac isoforms and do not cross the blood-brain barrier. METHODS In silico molecular dynamics simulation, in vitro electrophysiology, and in vivo rat spared nerve injury methods were used to test whether 'hindered' variants of 26DTB-P (wherein a hydrophilic 'anchor' is attached in the para-position of 26DTB-P via an acyl chain 'tether') had the desired properties. RESULTS Molecular dynamics simulation showed that membrane penetration of hindered 26DTB-Ps is controlled by a tethered diol anchor without elimination of head group rotational freedom. In vitro and in vivo analysis showed that BP4L-18:1:1, a variant wherein a diol anchor is attached to 26DTB-P via an 18-carbon tether, is an HCN1 inverse agonist and an orally available antihyperalgesic. With a CNS multiparameter optimisation score of 2.25, a >100-fold lower drug load in the brain vs blood, and an absence of adverse cardiovascular or CNS effects, BP4L-18:1:1 was shown to be poorly CNS penetrant and cardiac sparing. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide a proof-of-concept demonstration that anchor-tethered drugs are a new chemotype for treatment of disorders involving membrane targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth R Tibbs
- Department of Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rajendra Uprety
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - J David Warren
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicole P Beyer
- Department of Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rebecca L Joyce
- Department of Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Matthew A Ferrer
- Department of Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Zhucui Li
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Guoan Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Noah E Dephoure
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dipti N Barman
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Delin Sun
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA
| | | | - Anthony A Sauve
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dianna E Willis
- Burke Neurological Institute, White Plains, NY, USA; Feil Family Brain & Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Peter A Goldstein
- Department of Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Feil Family Brain & Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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4
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Willis DE, Goldstein PA. Targeting Affective Mood Disorders With Ketamine to Prevent Chronic Postsurgical Pain. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2022; 3:872696. [PMID: 35832728 PMCID: PMC9271565 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2022.872696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The phencyclidine-derivative ketamine [2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)cyclohexan-1-one] was added to the World Health Organization's Model List of Essential Medicines in 1985 and is also on the Model List of Essential Medicines for Children due to its efficacy and safety as an intravenous anesthetic. In sub-anesthetic doses, ketamine is an effective analgesic for the treatment of acute pain (such as may occur in the perioperative setting). Additionally, ketamine may have efficacy in relieving some forms of chronic pain. In 2019, Janssen Pharmaceuticals received regulatory-approval in both the United States and Europe for use of the S-enantiomer of ketamine in adults living with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. Pre-existing anxiety/depression and the severity of postoperative pain are risk factors for development of chronic postsurgical pain. An important question is whether short-term administration of ketamine can prevent the conversion of acute postsurgical pain to chronic postsurgical pain. Here, we have reviewed ketamine's effects on the biopsychological processes underlying pain perception and affective mood disorders, focusing on non-NMDA receptor-mediated effects, with an emphasis on results from human trials where available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianna E. Willis
- Burke Neurological Institute, White Plains, NY, United States
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Peter A. Goldstein
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Peter A. Goldstein
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5
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Harper AA, Adams DJ. Electrical properties and synaptic transmission in mouse intracardiac ganglion neurons in situ. Physiol Rep 2021; 9:e15056. [PMID: 34582125 PMCID: PMC8477906 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The intrinsic cardiac nervous system represents the final site of signal integration for neurotransmission to the myocardium to enable local control of cardiac performance. The electrophysiological characteristics and ganglionic transmission of adult mouse intrinsic cardiac ganglion (ICG) neurons were investigated using a whole-mount ganglion preparation of the excised right atrial ganglion plexus and intracellular microelectrode recording techniques. The passive and active electrical properties of ICG neurons and synaptic transmission including synaptic response strength and efficacy as a function of stimulation frequency were examined. The resting membrane potential and input resistance of ICG neurons were -47.9 ± 4.0 mV and 197.2 ± 81.5 MΩ, respectively. All neurons had somatic action potentials with overshoots of >+15 mV and after-hyperpolarizations having an average of 10 mV amplitude and ~45 ms half duration. Phasic discharge activities were recorded from the majority of neurons studied and several types of excitatory synaptic responses were recorded following inputs from the vagus or interganglionic nerve trunk(s). Most postganglionic neurons (>75%) received a strong, suprathreshold synaptic input and reliably followed high-frequency repetitive nerve stimulation up to at least 50 Hz. Nerve-evoked synaptic transmission was blocked by extracellular Cd2+ , ω-conotoxin CVIE, or α-conotoxin RegIIA, a selective α3-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist. Synaptic transmission and the electrical properties of murine ICG neurons contribute to the pattern of discharge which regulates chronotropic, dromotropic, and inotropic elements of cardiac function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A. Harper
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI)University of WollongongWollongongNew South WalesAustralia
| | - David J. Adams
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI)University of WollongongWollongongNew South WalesAustralia
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6
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Jansen LAR, Forster LA, Smith XL, Rubaharan M, Murphy AZ, Baro DJ. Changes in peripheral HCN2 channels during persistent inflammation. Channels (Austin) 2021; 15:165-179. [PMID: 33423595 PMCID: PMC7808421 DOI: 10.1080/19336950.2020.1870086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Nociceptor sensitization following nerve injury or inflammation leads to chronic pain. An increase in the nociceptor hyperpolarization-activated current, Ih, is observed in many models of pathological pain. Pharmacological blockade of Ih prevents the mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity that occurs during pathological pain. Alterations in the Hyperpolarization-activated Cyclic Nucleotide-gated ion channel 2 (HCN2) mediate Ih-dependent thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia. Limited knowledge exists regarding the nature of these changes during chronic inflammatory pain. Modifications in HCN2 expression and post-translational SUMOylation have been observed in the Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA) model of chronic inflammatory pain. Intra-plantar injection of CFA into the rat hindpaw induces unilateral hyperalgesia that is sustained for up to 14 days following injection. The hindpaw is innervated by primary afferents in lumbar DRG, L4-6. Adjustments in HCN2 expression and SUMOylation have been well-documented for L5 DRG during the first 7 days of CFA-induced inflammation. Here, we examine bilateral L4 and L6 DRG at day 1 and day 3 post-CFA. Using L4 and L6 DRG cryosections, HCN2 expression and SUMOylation were measured with immunohistochemistry and proximity ligation assays, respectively. Our findings indicate that intra-plantar injection of CFA elicited a bilateral increase in HCN2 expression in L4 and L6 DRG at day 1, but not day 3, and enhanced HCN2 SUMOylation in ipsilateral L6 DRG at day 1 and day 3. Changes in HCN2 expression and SUMOylation were transient over this time course. Our study suggests that HCN2 is regulated by multiple mechanisms during CFA-induced inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- L-A R Jansen
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University , Atlanta, Georgia
| | - L A Forster
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University , Atlanta, Georgia.,Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University , Atlanta, Georgia
| | - X L Smith
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University , Atlanta, Georgia
| | - M Rubaharan
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University , Atlanta, Georgia
| | - A Z Murphy
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University , Atlanta, Georgia
| | - D J Baro
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University , Atlanta, Georgia.,Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University , Atlanta, Georgia
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7
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Djouhri L, Zeidan A, Alzoghaibi M, Al Otaibi MF, Abd El-Aleem SA. L5 Spinal Nerve Axotomy Induces Distinct Electrophysiological Changes in Axotomized L5- and Adjacent L4-Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons in Rats In Vivo. J Neurotrauma 2020; 38:330-341. [PMID: 32993425 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2020.7264] [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] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP) is a major health problem for which effective drug treatment is lacking. Its underlying neuronal mechanisms are still illusive, but pre-clinical studies using animal models of PNP including the L5-spinal nerve axotomy (L5-SNA) model, suggest that it is partly caused by excitability changes in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. L5-SNA results in two DRG neuronal groups: (1) axotomized/damaged neurons in L5- plus some in L4-DRGs, and (2) ipsilateral L4-neurons with intact/uninjured fibers intermingling with degenerating L5-fibers. The axotomized neurons are deprived of peripherally derived trophic factors and degenerate causing neuroinflammation, whereas the uninjured L4-neuorns are subject to increased trophic factors and neuroinflammation associated with Wallerian degeneration of axotomized L5-nerve fibers. Whether these two groups of DRG neurons exhibit similar or distinct electrophysiological changes after L5-SNA remains unresolved. Conflicting evidence for this may result from some studies assuming that all L4-fibers are undamaged. Here, we recorded somatic action potentials (APs) intracellularly from C- and A-fiber L4/L5 DRG neurons in vivo, to examine our hypothesis that L5-SNA would induce distinct electrophysiological changes in the two populations of DRG neurons. Consistent with this hypothesis, we found (7 days post-SNA), in SNA rats with established pain hypersensitivity, slower AP kinetics in axotomized L5-neurons and faster AP kinetics in L4-nociceptive neurons including decreased rise time in Aδ-and Aβ-fiber nociceptors, and after-hyperpolarization duration in Aβ-fiber nociceptors. We also found several changes in axotomized L5-neurons but not in L4-nociceptive neurons, and some changes in L4-nociceptive but not L5-neurons. The faster AP kinetics (decreased refractory period) in L4-nociceptive neurons that are consistent with their reported hyperexcitability may lead to repetitive firing and thus provide enhanced afferent input necessary for initiating and/or maintaining PNP development. The changes in axotomized L5-neurons may contribute to the central mechanisms of PNP via enhanced neurotransmitter release in the central nervous system (CNS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Laiche Djouhri
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine (QU Health), Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Asad Zeidan
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine (QU Health), Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohammad Alzoghaibi
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad F Al Otaibi
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Seham A Abd El-Aleem
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
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8
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Tigerholm J, Hoberg TN, Brønnum D, Vittinghus M, Frahm KS, Mørch CD. Small and large cutaneous fibers display different excitability properties to slowly increasing ramp pulses. J Neurophysiol 2020; 124:883-894. [PMID: 32783585 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00629.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The excitability of large nerve fibers is reduced when their membrane potential is slowly depolarizing, i.e., the fibers display accommodation. The aim of this study was to assess accommodation in small (mainly Aδ) and large (Aβ) cutaneous sensory nerve fibers using the perception threshold tracking (PTT) technique. Linearly increasing ramp currents (1 ms-200 ms) were used to assess the excitability of the nerve fibers by cutaneous electrical stimulation. To investigate the PPT technique's ability to preferentially activate different fiber types, topical application of lidocaine/prilocaine (EMLA) or a placebo cream was applied. By means of computational modeling, the underlying mechanisms governing the perception threshold in the two fiber types was studied. The axon models included the voltage-gated ion channels: transient TTX-sensitive sodium current, transient TTX-resistant sodium current (NaTTXr), persistent sodium current, delayed rectifier potassium channel (KDr), slow potassium channel, and hyperpolarization-activated current. Large fibers displayed accommodation, whereas small fibers did not display accommodation (P < 0.05). For the pin electrode, a significant interaction was observed between cream (EMLA or placebo) and pulse duration (P < 0.05); for the patch electrode, there was no significant interaction between cream and duration, which supports the pin electrode's preferential activation of small fibers. The results from the computational model suggested that differences in accommodation between the two fiber types may originate from selective expression of voltage-gated ion channels, particularly the transient NaTTXr and/or KDr. The PTT technique could assess the excitability changes during accommodation in different nerve fibers. Therefore, the PTT technique may be a useful tool for studying excitability in nerve fibers in both healthy and pathological conditions.NEW & NOTEWORTHY When large nerve fibers are stimulated by long, slowly increasing electrical pulses, interactive mechanisms counteract the stimulation, which is called accommodation. The perception threshold tracking technique was able to assess accommodation in both small and large fibers. The novelty of this study is that large fibers displayed accommodation, whereas small fibers did not. Additionally, the difference in accommodation between the fiber could be linked to expression of voltage-gated ion channels by means of computational modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Tigerholm
- Integrative Neuroscience Group, Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Tatiana Nielson Hoberg
- Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction (SMI), Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Dorthe Brønnum
- Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction (SMI), Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.,Centre for Clinical Research, North Denmark Regional Hospital, Hjørring, Denmark
| | - Mette Vittinghus
- Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction (SMI), Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.,It-center for Telemedicin, Region Midtjylland, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Ken Steffen Frahm
- Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction (SMI), Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.,Integrative Neuroscience Group, Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Carsten Dahl Mørch
- Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction (SMI), Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.,Integrative Neuroscience Group, Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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9
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Forster LA, Jansen LAR, Rubaharan M, Murphy AZ, Baro DJ. Alterations in SUMOylation of the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel 2 during persistent inflammation. Eur J Pain 2020; 24:1517-1536. [PMID: 32446289 PMCID: PMC7496191 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Background Unilateral injection of Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) into the intra‐plantar surface of the rodent hindpaw elicits chronic inflammation and hyperalgesia in the ipsilateral hindlimb. Mechanisms contributing to this hyperalgesia may act over multiple time courses and can include changes in ion channel expression and post‐translational SUMOylation. Hyperpolarization‐activated, cyclic nucleotide‐gated (HCN) channels mediate the hyperpolarization‐activated current, Ih. An HCN2‐mediated increase in C‐nociceptor Ih contributes to mechanical hyperalgesia in the CFA model of inflammatory pain. Changes in HCN2 post‐translational SUMOylation and protein expression have not been systematically documented for a given dorsal root ganglia (DRG) throughout the time course of inflammation. Methods This study examined HCN2 protein expression and post‐translational SUMOylation in a rat model of CFA‐induced hindpaw inflammation. L5 DRG cryosections were used in immunohistochemistry experiments and proximity ligation assays to investigate HCN2 expression and SUMOylation, respectively, on days 1 and 3 post‐CFA. Results Unilateral CFA injection elicited a significant bilateral increase in HCN2 staining intensity in small diameter DRG neurons on day 1 post‐CFA, and a significant bilateral increase in the number of small neurons expressing HCN2 but not staining intensity on day 3 post‐CFA. HCN2 channels were hyper‐SUMOylated in small diameter neurons of ipsilateral relative to contralateral DRG on days 1 and 3 post‐CFA. Conclusions Unilateral CFA injection elicits unilateral mechanical hyperalgesia, a bilateral increase in HCN2 expression and a unilateral increase in post‐translational SUMOylation. This suggests that enhanced HCN2 expression in L5 DRG is not sufficient for mechanical hyperalgesia in the early stages of inflammation and that hyper‐SUMOylation of HCN2 channels may also be necessary. Significance Nociceptor HCN2 channels mediate an increase in Ih that is necessary for mechanical hyperalgesia in a CFA model of chronic pain, but the mechanisms producing the increase in nociceptor Ih have not been resolved. The data presented here suggest that the increase in Ih during the early stages of inflammation may be mediated by an increase in HCN2 protein expression and post‐translational SUMOylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori A Forster
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | - Anne Z Murphy
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Deborah J Baro
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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10
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Rivolta I, Binda A, Masi A, DiFrancesco JC. Cardiac and neuronal HCN channelopathies. Pflugers Arch 2020; 472:931-951. [PMID: 32424620 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-020-02384-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels are expressed as four different isoforms (HCN1-4) in the heart and in the central and peripheral nervous systems. In the voltage range of activation, HCN channels carry an inward current mediated by Na+ and K+, termed If in the heart and Ih in neurons. Altered function of HCN channels, mainly HCN4, is associated with sinus node dysfunction and other arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and atrioventricular block. In recent years, several data have also shown that dysfunctional HCN channels, in particular HCN1, but also HCN2 and HCN4, can play a pathogenic role in epilepsy; these include experimental data from animal models, and data collected over genetic mutations of the channels identified and characterized in epileptic patients. In the central nervous system, alteration of the Ih current could predispose to the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease; since HCN channels are widely expressed in the peripheral nervous system, their dysfunctional behavior could also be associated with the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain. Given the fundamental role played by the HCN channels in the regulation of the discharge activity of cardiac and neuronal cells, the modulation of their function for therapeutic purposes is under study since it could be useful in various pathological conditions. Here we review the present knowledge of the HCN-related channelopathies in cardiac and neurological diseases, including clinical, genetic, therapeutic, and physiopathological aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Rivolta
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Milan Center for Neuroscience (NeuroMI), University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Anna Binda
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Milan Center for Neuroscience (NeuroMI), University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Alessio Masi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Jacopo C DiFrancesco
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Milan Center for Neuroscience (NeuroMI), University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy. .,Department of Neurology, ASST San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Pergolesi, 33, 20900, Monza, MB, Italy.
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11
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Madden JF, Davis OC, Boyle KA, Iredale JA, Browne TJ, Callister RJ, Smith DW, Jobling P, Hughes DI, Graham BA. Functional and Molecular Analysis of Proprioceptive Sensory Neuron Excitability in Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:36. [PMID: 32477061 PMCID: PMC7232575 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00036] [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] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurons located in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) are crucial for transmitting peripheral sensations such as proprioception, touch, temperature, and nociception to the spinal cord before propagating these signals to higher brain structures. To date, difficulty in identifying modality-specific DRG neurons has limited our ability to study specific populations in detail. As the calcium-binding protein parvalbumin (PV) is a neurochemical marker for proprioceptive DRG cells we used a transgenic mouse line expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) in PV positive DRGs, to study the functional and molecular properties of putative proprioceptive neurons. Immunolabeled DRGs showed a 100% overlap between GFP positive (GFP+) and PV positive cells, confirming the PVeGFP mouse accurately labeled PV neurons. Targeted patch-clamp recording from isolated GFP+ and GFP negative (GFP−) neurons showed the passive membrane properties of the two groups were similar, however, their active properties differed markedly. All GFP+ neurons fired a single spike in response to sustained current injection and their action potentials (APs) had faster rise times, lower thresholds and shorter half widths. A hyperpolarization-activated current (Ih) was observed in all GFP+ neurons but was infrequently noted in the GFP− population (100% vs. 11%). For GFP+ neurons, Ih activation rates varied markedly, suggesting differences in the underlying hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel (HCN) subunit expression responsible for the current kinetics. Furthermore, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) showed the HCN subunits 2, 1, and 4 mRNA (in that order) was more abundant in GFP+ neurons, while HCN 3 was more highly expressed in GFP− neurons. Likewise, immunolabeling confirmed HCN 1, 2, and 4 protein expression in GFP+ neurons. In summary, certain functional properties of GFP+ and GFP− cells differ markedly, providing evidence for modality-specific signaling between the two groups. However, the GFP+ DRG population demonstrates considerable internal heterogeneity when hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel (HCN channel) properties and subunit expression are considered. We propose this heterogeneity reflects the existence of different peripheral receptors such as tendon organs, muscle spindles or mechanoreceptors in the putative proprioceptive neuron population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica F Madden
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Olivia C Davis
- Institute of Neuroscience Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Kieran A Boyle
- Institute of Neuroscience Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Jacqueline A Iredale
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Tyler J Browne
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Robert J Callister
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Douglas W Smith
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Phillip Jobling
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - David I Hughes
- Institute of Neuroscience Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Brett A Graham
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
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12
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From Perception Threshold to Ion Channels-A Computational Study. Biophys J 2019; 117:281-295. [PMID: 31255293 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2019.04.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Small-surface-area electrodes have successfully been used to preferentially activate cutaneous nociceptors, unlike conventional large area-electrodes, which preferentially activate large non-nociceptor fibers. Assessments of the strength-duration relationship, threshold electrotonus, and slowly increasing pulse forms have displayed different perception thresholds between large and small surface electrodes, which may indicate different excitability properties of the activated cutaneous nerves. In this study, the origin of the differences in perception thresholds between the two electrodes was investigated. It was hypothesized that different perception thresholds could be explained by the varying distributions of voltage-gated ion channels and by morphological differences between peripheral nerve endings of small and large fibers. A two-part computational model was developed to study activation of peripheral nerve fibers by different cutaneous electrodes. The first part of the model was a finite-element model, which calculated the extracellular field delivered by the cutaneous electrodes. The second part of the model was a detailed multicompartment model of an Aδ-axon as well as an Aβ-axon. The axon models included a wide range of voltage-gated ion channels: NaTTXs, NaTTXr, Nap, Kdr, KM, KA, and HCN channel. The computational model reproduced the experimentally assessed perception thresholds for the three protocols, the strength-duration relationship, the threshold electrotonus, and the slowly increasing pulse forms. The results support the hypothesis that voltage-gated ion channel distributions and morphology differences between small and large fibers were sufficient to explain the difference in perception thresholds between the two electrodes. In conclusion, assessments of perception thresholds using the three protocols may be an indirect measurement of the membrane excitability, and computational models may have the possibility to link voltage-gated ion channel activation to perception threshold measurements.
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13
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Yang L, Ding W, You Z, Yang J, Shen S, Doheny JT, Chen L, Li R, Mao J. Alleviation of trigeminal neuropathic pain by electroacupuncture: the role of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel protein expression in the Gasserian ganglion. Acupunct Med 2019; 37:192-198. [PMID: 30977667 DOI: 10.1177/0964528419841614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to examine the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on trigeminal neuropathic pain in rats and explore the potential mechanism underlying the putative therapeutic effect of EA. METHODS Trigeminal neuropathic pain behavior was induced in rats by unilateral chronic constriction injury of the distal infraorbital nerve (dIoN-CCI). EA was administered at ST2 (Sibai) and Jiachengjiang. A total of 60 Sprague Dawley rats were divided into the following four groups (n = 15 per group) to examine the behavioral outcomes after surgery and/or EA treatment: sham (no ligation); dIoN-CCI (received isoflurane only, without EA treatment); dIoN-CCI+EA-7d (received EA treatment for 7 days); and dIoN-CCI+EA-14d (received EA treatment for 14 days). Both evoked and spontaneous nociceptive behaviors were measured. Of these, 12 rats (n = 4 from sham, dIoN-CCI, and dIoN-CCI+EA-14d groups, respectively) were used to analyze protein expression of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channel in the Gasserian ganglion (GG) by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS dIoN-CCI rats exhibited mechanical allodynia and increased face-grooming activity that lasted at least 35 days. EA treatment reduced mechanical allodynia and face-grooming in dIoN-CCI rats. Overall, 14 days of EA treatment produced a prolonged anti-nociceptive effect as compared to 7-day EA treatment. The counts of HCN1 and HCN2 immunopositive puncta were increased in the ipsilateral GG in dIoN-CCI rats and were reduced by 14 days of EA treatment. DISCUSSION EA treatment relieved trigeminal neuropathic pain in dIoN-CCI rats, and this effect was dependent on the duration of EA treatment. The downregulation of HCN expression may contribute to the anti-nociceptive effect of EA in this rat model of trigeminal neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuyue Yang
- 1 School of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.,2 MGH Center for Translational Pain Research, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Weihua Ding
- 2 MGH Center for Translational Pain Research, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zerong You
- 2 MGH Center for Translational Pain Research, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jinsheng Yang
- 2 MGH Center for Translational Pain Research, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shiqian Shen
- 2 MGH Center for Translational Pain Research, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jason T Doheny
- 2 MGH Center for Translational Pain Research, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lucy Chen
- 2 MGH Center for Translational Pain Research, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ruhui Li
- 1 School of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianren Mao
- 2 MGH Center for Translational Pain Research, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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14
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Dini L, Del Lungo M, Resta F, Melchiorre M, Spinelli V, Di Cesare Mannelli L, Ghelardini C, Laurino A, Sartiani L, Coppini R, Mannaioni G, Cerbai E, Romanelli MN. Selective Blockade of HCN1/HCN2 Channels as a Potential Pharmacological Strategy Against Pain. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:1252. [PMID: 30467478 PMCID: PMC6237106 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A prominent role of hyperpolarization-activated, cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels has been suggested based on their expression and (dys)function in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, being likely involved in peripheral nociception. Using HCN blockers as antinociceptive drugs is prevented by the widespread distribution of these channels. However, tissue-specific expression of HCN isoforms varies significantly, HCN1 and HCN2 being considered as major players in DRG excitability. We characterized the pharmacological effect of a novel compound, MEL55A, able to block selectively HCN1/HCN2 isoforms, on DRG neuron excitability in-vitro and for its antiallodynic properties in-vivo. HEK293 cells expressing HCN1, HCN2, or HCN4 isoforms were used to verify drug selectivity. The pharmacological profile of MEL55A was tested on mouse DRG neurons by patch-clamp recordings, and in-vivo in oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy by means of thermal hypersensitivity. Results were compared to the non-isoform-selective drug, ivabradine. MEL55A showed a marked preference toward HCN1 and HCN2 isoforms expressed in HEK293, with respect to HCN4. In cultured DRG, MEL55A reduced I h amplitude, both in basic conditions and after stimulation by forskolin, and cell excitability, its effect being quantitatively similar to that observed with ivabradine. MEL55A was able to relieve chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain. In conclusion, selective blockade of HCN1/HCN2 channels, over HCN4 isoform, was able to modulate electrophysiological properties of DRG neurons similarly to that reported for classical I h blockers, ivabradine, resulting in a pain-relieving activity. The availability of small molecules with selectivity toward HCN channel isoforms involved in nociception might represent a safe and effective strategy against chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Dini
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NeuroFarBa), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Martina Del Lungo
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NeuroFarBa), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesco Resta
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NeuroFarBa), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Michele Melchiorre
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NeuroFarBa), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Valentina Spinelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NeuroFarBa), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Di Cesare Mannelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NeuroFarBa), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Carla Ghelardini
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NeuroFarBa), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Annunziatina Laurino
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NeuroFarBa), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Laura Sartiani
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NeuroFarBa), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Raffaele Coppini
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NeuroFarBa), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Guido Mannaioni
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NeuroFarBa), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Cerbai
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NeuroFarBa), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Novella Romanelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NeuroFarBa), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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15
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Hoffman BU, Baba Y, Griffith TN, Mosharov EV, Woo SH, Roybal DD, Karsenty G, Patapoutian A, Sulzer D, Lumpkin EA. Merkel Cells Activate Sensory Neural Pathways through Adrenergic Synapses. Neuron 2018; 100:1401-1413.e6. [PMID: 30415995 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.10.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Revised: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-neuronal signaling is essential for sensory encoding in touch, itch, and nociception; however, little is known about the release mechanisms and neurotransmitter receptors through which skin cells govern neuronal excitability. Merkel cells are mechanosensory epidermal cells that have long been proposed to activate neuronal afferents through chemical synaptic transmission. We employed a set of classical criteria for chemical neurotransmission as a framework to test this hypothesis. RNA sequencing of adult mouse Merkel cells demonstrated that they express presynaptic molecules and biosynthetic machinery for adrenergic transmission. Moreover, live-cell imaging directly demonstrated that Merkel cells mediate activity- and VMAT-dependent release of fluorescent catecholamine neurotransmitter analogs. Touch-evoked firing in Merkel-cell afferents was inhibited either by pre-synaptic silencing of SNARE-mediated vesicle release from Merkel cells or by neuronal deletion of β2-adrenergic receptors. Together, these results identify both pre- and postsynaptic mechanisms through which Merkel cells excite mechanosensory afferents to encode gentle touch. VIDEO ABSTRACT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin U Hoffman
- Department of Physiology & Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Program in Neurobiology & Behavior, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yoshichika Baba
- Department of Physiology & Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Theanne N Griffith
- Department of Physiology & Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eugene V Mosharov
- Departments of Psychiatry, Neurology, and Pharmacology, Columbia University: Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Seung-Hyun Woo
- The Scripps Research Institute & Howard Hughes Medical Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Daniel D Roybal
- Pharmacology Graduate Program, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gerard Karsenty
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ardem Patapoutian
- The Scripps Research Institute & Howard Hughes Medical Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - David Sulzer
- Departments of Psychiatry, Neurology, and Pharmacology, Columbia University: Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ellen A Lumpkin
- Department of Physiology & Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Program in Neurobiology & Behavior, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Department of Dermatology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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16
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Djouhri L, Smith T, Ahmeda A, Alotaibi M, Weng X. Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channels contribute to spontaneous activity in L4 C-fiber nociceptors, but not Aβ-non-nociceptors, after axotomy of L5-spinal nerve in the rat in vivo. Pain 2018; 159:1392-1402. [PMID: 29578948 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Peripheral neuropathic pain associated with partial nerve injury is believed to be driven partly by aberrant spontaneous activity (SA) in both injured and uninjured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. The underlying ionic mechanisms are not fully understood, but hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels which underlie the excitatory Ih current have been implicated in SA generation in axotomized A-fiber neurons after L5-spinal nerve ligation/axotomy (SNL/SNA). Here, using a modified model of SNA (mSNA) which involves, in addition to L5-SNA, loose ligation of the L4-spinal nerve with neuroinflammation-inducing chromic gut, we examined whether HCN channels also contribute to SA in the adjacent L4-neurons. Intracellular recordings from L4-DRG neurons in control rats, and L4-DRG neurons in mSNA rats were made using in vivo voltage- and current-clamp techniques. Compared with control, L4 C-nociceptors and Aβ-low-threshold mechanoreceptors (LTMs) exhibited SA 7 days after mSNA. This was accompanied, in C-nociceptors, by a significant increase in Ih amplitude, the percentage of Ih-expressing neurons, and Ih activation rate. Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel blockade with ZD7288 (10 mg/kg, intravenously) suppressed SA in C-nociceptors, but not Aβ-LTMs, and caused in C-nociceptors, membrane hyperpolarization and a decrease in Ih activation rate. Furthermore, intraplantar injection of ZD7288 (100 μM) was found to be as effective as gabapentin (positive control) in attenuating cold hypersensitivity in mSNA rats. These findings suggest that HCN channels contribute to nerve injury-induced SA in L4 C-nociceptors, but not Aβ-LTMs, and that ZD7288 exerts its analgesic effects by altering Ih activation properties and/or causing membrane hyperpolarization in L4 C-nociceptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laiche Djouhri
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Trevor Smith
- Wolfson CARD, Neurorestoration Group, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ahmad Ahmeda
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Alotaibi
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Xiechuan Weng
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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17
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Djouhri L, Smith T, Alotaibi M, Weng X. Membrane potential oscillations are not essential for spontaneous firing generation in L4 Aβ-afferent neurons after L5 spinal nerve axotomy and are not mediated by HCN channels. Exp Physiol 2018; 103:1145-1156. [PMID: 29860719 DOI: 10.1113/ep087013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
NEW FINDINGS What is the central question of this study? Is spontaneous activity (SA) in L4 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons induced by L5 spinal nerve axotomy associated with membrane potential oscillations in these neurons, and if so, are these membrane oscillations mediated by HCN channels? What is the main finding and its importance? Unlike injured L5 DRG neurons, which have been shown to be incapable of firing spontaneously without membrane potential oscillations, membrane potential oscillations are not essential for SA generation in conducting 'uninjured' L4 neurons, and they are not mediated by HCN channels. These findings suggest that the underlying cellular mechanisms of SA in injured and 'uninjured' DRG neurons induced by spinal nerve injury are distinct. ABSTRACT The underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of peripheral neuropathic pain are not fully understood. However, preclinical studies using animal models suggest that this debilitating condition is driven partly by aberrant spontaneous activity (SA) in injured and uninjured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, and that SA in injured DRG neurons is triggered by subthreshold membrane potential oscillations (SMPOs). Here, using in vivo intracellular recording from control L4-DRG neurons, and ipsilateral L4-DRG neurons in female Wistar rats that had previously undergone L5 spinal nerve axotomy (SNA), we examined whether conducting 'uninjured' L4-DRG neurons in SNA rats exhibit SMPOs, and if so, whether such SMPOs are associated with SA in those L4 neurons, and whether they are mediated by hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide gated (HCN) channels. We found that 7 days after SNA: (a) none of the control A- or C-fibre DRG neurons showed SMPOs or SA, but 50%, 43% and 0% of spontaneously active cutaneous L4 Aβ-low threshold mechanoreceptors, Aβ-nociceptors and C-nociceptors exhibited SMPOs, respectively, in SNA rats with established neuropathic pain behaviors; (b) neither SMPOs nor SA in L4 Aβ-neurons was suppressed by blocking HCN channels with ZD7288 (10 mg kg-1 , i.v.); and (c) there is a tendency for female rats to show greater pain hypersensitivity than male rats. These results suggest that SMPOs are linked to SA only in some of the conducting L4 Aβ-neurons, that such oscillations are not a prerequisite for SA generation in those L4 A- or C-fibre neurons, and that HCN channels are not involved in their electrogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Djouhri
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, PO Box 50927, Riyadh, 11533, Saudi Arabia
| | - T Smith
- Wolfson CARD, Neurorestoration Group, Hodgkin Building, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - M Alotaibi
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, PO Box 7805, Riyadh, 11472, Saudi Arabia
| | - X Weng
- Department of Neurobiology and State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100850, China
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18
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Ding W, You Z, Shen S, Yang J, Lim G, Doheny JT, Zhu S, Zhang Y, Chen L, Mao J. Increased HCN Channel Activity in the Gasserian Ganglion Contributes to Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2018; 19:626-634. [PMID: 29366880 PMCID: PMC5972061 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2018.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Revised: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Orofacial neuropathic pain caused by trigeminal nerve injury is a debilitating condition with limited therapeutic options. Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels regulate neuronal excitability and are involved in the development and maintenance of chronic pain. However, the effect of HCN channel activity in the Gasserian ganglion on trigeminal neuropathic pain has not been examined. We evaluated nociceptive behaviors after microinjection of the HCN channel blockers ZD7288 or ivabradine into the Gasserian ganglion in rats with trigeminal nerve injury. Both blockers dose-dependently ameliorated evoked and spontaneous nociceptive behavior in rats with trigeminal neuropathic pain. Moreover, the clinically available HCN channel blocker ivabradine showed a prolonged antinociceptive effect. In the Gasserian ganglion, HCN1 and HCN2 are major HCN isoforms. After trigeminal nerve injury, the counts of HCN1 as well as HCN2 immuno-positive punctae were increased in the ipsilateral Gasserian ganglions. These results indicate that the increased HCN channel activity in the Gasserian ganglion directly contributes to neuropathic pain resulting from trigeminal nerve injury. PERSPECTIVE Trigeminal nerve damage-induced orofacial pain is severe and more resistant to standard pharmacological treatment than other types of neuropathic pain. Our study suggests that targeting HCN channel activities in the Gasserian ganglion may provide an alternative treatment of trigeminal neuropathy including trigeminal neuralgia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihua Ding
- MGH Center for Translational Pain Research, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zerong You
- MGH Center for Translational Pain Research, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shiqian Shen
- MGH Center for Translational Pain Research, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jinsheng Yang
- MGH Center for Translational Pain Research, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Grewo Lim
- MGH Center for Translational Pain Research, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jason T Doheny
- MGH Center for Translational Pain Research, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shengmei Zhu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- MGH Center for Translational Pain Research, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lucy Chen
- MGH Center for Translational Pain Research, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jianren Mao
- MGH Center for Translational Pain Research, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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19
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Song Y, Gao L. The effect of acute dissociation on the electrophysiological properties of rat dorsal root ganglion neurons. Somatosens Mot Res 2018; 35:11-17. [PMID: 29471715 DOI: 10.1080/08990220.2018.1439000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The acutely dissociated neurons from the dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) are extensively used. The effects of acute dissociation on the properties of these neurons are, however, not clear. In this study, the action potentials (APs) were recorded from both acutely dissociated and in vivo identified DRG neurons with patch clamp and sharp electrode recording techniques, respectively. We found that acute dissociation slowed both the depolarizing and repolarizing rate of APs, and elongated the AP duration (APD). The lower recording temperature presented in the acutely dissociated neurons contributed to about 10% of these differences. The major contributor of these differences was possibly modulation of the mRNA expression especially those of the ion channels, as suggested by our observation that acute dissociation significantly reduced the mRNA abundance of Nav1.6-1.9. In conclusion, acute dissociation altered the electrophysiological properties of the DRG neurons; the disrupted gene-expression pattern may contribute to this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanlong Song
- a Department of Physiology , School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan , China.,b Institutes of Brain Research , Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan , China
| | - Linlin Gao
- a Department of Physiology , School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan , China.,b Institutes of Brain Research , Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan , China
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Sartiani L, Mannaioni G, Masi A, Novella Romanelli M, Cerbai E. The Hyperpolarization-Activated Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channels: from Biophysics to Pharmacology of a Unique Family of Ion Channels. Pharmacol Rev 2017; 69:354-395. [PMID: 28878030 DOI: 10.1124/pr.117.014035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperpolarization-activated, cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels are important members of the voltage-gated pore loop channels family. They show unique features: they open at hyperpolarizing potential, carry a mixed Na/K current, and are regulated by cyclic nucleotides. Four different isoforms have been cloned (HCN1-4) that can assemble to form homo- or heterotetramers, characterized by different biophysical properties. These proteins are widely distributed throughout the body and involved in different physiologic processes, the most important being the generation of spontaneous electrical activity in the heart and the regulation of synaptic transmission in the brain. Their role in heart rate, neuronal pacemaking, dendritic integration, learning and memory, and visual and pain perceptions has been extensively studied; these channels have been found also in some peripheral tissues, where their functions still need to be fully elucidated. Genetic defects and altered expression of HCN channels are linked to several pathologies, which makes these proteins attractive targets for translational research; at the moment only one drug (ivabradine), which specifically blocks the hyperpolarization-activated current, is clinically available. This review discusses current knowledge about HCN channels, starting from their biophysical properties, origin, and developmental features, to (patho)physiologic role in different tissues and pharmacological modulation, ending with their present and future relevance as drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Sartiani
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research, and Child Health, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Guido Mannaioni
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research, and Child Health, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Alessio Masi
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research, and Child Health, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Maria Novella Romanelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research, and Child Health, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Cerbai
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research, and Child Health, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
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Motloch LJ, Larbig R, Darabi T, Reda S, Motloch KA, Wernly B, Lichtenauer M, Gebing T, Schwaiger A, Zagidullin N, Wolny M, Hoppe UC. Long-QT syndrome-associated caveolin-3 mutations differentially regulate the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide gated channel 4. Physiol Int 2017. [DOI: 10.1556/2060.104.2017.2.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Background
Caveolin-3 (cav-3) mutations are linked to the long-QT syndrome (LQTS) causing distinct clinical symptoms. Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide channel 4 (HCN4) underlies the pacemaker current If. It associates with cav-3 and both form a macromolecular complex.
Methods
To examine the effects of human LQTS-associated cav-3 mutations on HCN4-channel function, HEK293-cells were cotransfected with HCN4 and wild-type (WT) cav-3 or a LQTS-associated cav-3 mutant (T78M, A85T, S141R, or F97C). HCN4 currents were recorded using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique.
Results
WT cav-3 significantly decreased HCN4 current density and shifted midpoint of activation into negative direction. HCN4 current properties were differentially modulated by LQTS-associated cav-3 mutations. When compared with WT cav-3, A85T, F97C, and T78M did not alter the specific effect of cav-3, but S141R significantly increased HCN4 current density. Compared with WT cav-3, no significant modifications of voltage dependence of steady-state activation curves were observed. However, while WT cav-3 alone had no significant effect on HCN4 current activation, all LQTS-associated cav-3 mutations significantly accelerated HCN4 activation kinetics.
Conclusions
Our results indicate that HCN4 channel function is modulated by cav-3. LQTS-associated mutations of cav-3 differentially influence pacemaker current properties indicating a pathophysiological role in clinical manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- LJ Motloch
- 1Department of Internal Medicine II, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - R Larbig
- 2Division of Electrophysiology, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - T Darabi
- 1Department of Internal Medicine II, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - S Reda
- 1Department of Internal Medicine II, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - KA Motloch
- 3Research Program for Ophthalmology and Glaucoma Research, University Clinic of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Paracelsus Medical University/SALK, Salzburg, Austria
| | - B Wernly
- 1Department of Internal Medicine II, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - M Lichtenauer
- 1Department of Internal Medicine II, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - T Gebing
- 1Department of Internal Medicine II, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - A Schwaiger
- 1Department of Internal Medicine II, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - N Zagidullin
- 4Department of Internal Diseases, Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Russia
| | - M Wolny
- 1Department of Internal Medicine II, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - UC Hoppe
- 1Department of Internal Medicine II, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
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Hyperpolarization-activated current I h in mouse trigeminal sensory neurons in a transgenic mouse model of familial hemiplegic migraine type-1. Neuroscience 2017; 351:47-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.03.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Revised: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Ding W, You Z, Shen S, Chen L, Zhu S, Mao J. Inhibition of HCN channel activity in the thalamus attenuates chronic pain in rats. Neurosci Lett 2016; 631:97-103. [PMID: 27542339 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Revised: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 08/13/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels regulate neuronal excitability in both peripheral and central nerve systems. Emerging evidence indicates that HCN channels are involved in the development and maintenance of chronic pain. However, the impact of HCN channel activity in the thalamus on chronic pain has not been examined. In this report, we evaluated the effect on nociceptive behaviors after infusion of a HCN channel blocker ZD7288 into the ventral posterolateral (VPL) nucleus of the thalamus in rats with neuropathic pain or monoarthritis. We show that ZD7288 dose-dependently attenuated mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in rats with chronic pain. In the thalamus, immunoreactivity of both HCN1 and HCN2 subunits was increased in both rat models. These results suggest that the increased HCN channel activity in the thalamus of the ascending nociceptive pathway contributes to both chronic neuropathic and inflammatory pain conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihua Ding
- MGH Center for Translational Pain Research Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine Massachusetts General Hospital Harvard Medical School Boston, MA, 02114, United States; The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, China; Hangzhou First People's Hospital, 261 Huanshan Road, Hangzhou, 310006, China
| | - Zerong You
- MGH Center for Translational Pain Research Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine Massachusetts General Hospital Harvard Medical School Boston, MA, 02114, United States
| | - Shiqian Shen
- MGH Center for Translational Pain Research Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine Massachusetts General Hospital Harvard Medical School Boston, MA, 02114, United States
| | - Lucy Chen
- MGH Center for Translational Pain Research Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine Massachusetts General Hospital Harvard Medical School Boston, MA, 02114, United States
| | - Shengmei Zhu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
| | - Jianren Mao
- MGH Center for Translational Pain Research Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine Massachusetts General Hospital Harvard Medical School Boston, MA, 02114, United States.
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Hu T, Liu N, Lv M, Ma L, Peng H, Peng S, Liu T. Lidocaine Inhibits HCN Currents in Rat Spinal Substantia Gelatinosa Neurons. Anesth Analg 2016; 122:1048-59. [PMID: 26756913 PMCID: PMC4791316 DOI: 10.1213/ane.0000000000001140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lidocaine, which blocks voltage-gated sodium channels, is widely used in surgical anesthesia and pain management. Recently, it has been proposed that the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide (HCN) channel is one of the other novel targets of lidocaine. Substantia gelatinosa in the spinal dorsal horn, which plays key roles in modulating nociceptive information from primary afferents, comprises heterogeneous interneurons that can be electrophysiologically categorized by firing pattern. Our previous study demonstrated that a substantial proportion of substantia gelatinosa neurons reveal the presence of HCN current (Ih); however, the roles of lidocaine and HCN channel expression in different types of substantia gelatinosa neurons remain unclear. METHODS By using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique, we investigated the effect of lidocaine on Ih in rat substantia gelatinosa neurons of acute dissociated spinal cord slices. RESULTS We found that lidocaine rapidly decreased the peak Ih amplitude with an IC50 of 80 μM. The inhibition rate on Ih was not significantly different with a second application of lidocaine in the same neuron. Tetrodotoxin, a sodium channel blocker, did not affect lidocaine's effect on Ih. In addition, lidocaine shifted the half-activation potential of Ih from -109.7 to -114.9 mV and slowed activation. Moreover, the reversal potential of Ih was shifted by -7.5 mV by lidocaine. In the current clamp, lidocaine decreased the resting membrane potential, increased membrane resistance, delayed rebound depolarization latency, and reduced the rebound spike frequency. We further found that approximately 58% of substantia gelatinosa neurons examined expressed Ih, in which most of them were tonically firing. CONCLUSIONS Our studies demonstrate that lidocaine strongly inhibits Ih in a reversible and concentration-dependent manner in substantia gelatinosa neurons, independent of tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium channels. Thus, our study provides new insight into the mechanism underlying the central analgesic effect of the systemic administration of lidocaine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Hu
- From the Departments of *Pediatrics and †Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China; and ‡Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China
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Tibbs GR, Posson DJ, Goldstein PA. Voltage-Gated Ion Channels in the PNS: Novel Therapies for Neuropathic Pain? Trends Pharmacol Sci 2016; 37:522-542. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2016.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Revised: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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26
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Djouhri L. Aδ-fiber low threshold mechanoreceptors innervating mammalian hairy skin: A review of their receptive, electrophysiological and cytochemical properties in relation to Aδ-fiber high threshold mechanoreceptors. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 61:225-38. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2015] [Revised: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 12/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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27
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Sundt D, Gamper N, Jaffe DB. Spike propagation through the dorsal root ganglia in an unmyelinated sensory neuron: a modeling study. J Neurophysiol 2015; 114:3140-53. [PMID: 26334005 PMCID: PMC4686302 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00226.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 08/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Unmyelinated C-fibers are a major type of sensory neurons conveying pain information. Action potential conduction is regulated by the bifurcation (T-junction) of sensory neuron axons within the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Understanding how C-fiber signaling is influenced by the morphology of the T-junction and the local expression of ion channels is important for understanding pain signaling. In this study we used biophysical computer modeling to investigate the influence of axon morphology within the DRG and various membrane conductances on the reliability of spike propagation. As expected, calculated input impedance and the amplitude of propagating action potentials were both lowest at the T-junction. Propagation reliability for single spikes was highly sensitive to the diameter of the stem axon and the density of voltage-gated Na+ channels. A model containing only fast voltage-gated Na+ and delayed-rectifier K+ channels conducted trains of spikes up to frequencies of 110 Hz. The addition of slowly activating KCNQ channels (i.e., KV7 or M-channels) to the model reduced the following frequency to 30 Hz. Hyperpolarization produced by addition of a much slower conductance, such as a Ca2+-dependent K+ current, was needed to reduce the following frequency to 6 Hz. Attenuation of driving force due to ion accumulation or hyperpolarization produced by a Na+-K+ pump had no effect on following frequency but could influence the reliability of spike propagation mutually with the voltage shift generated by a Ca2+-dependent K+ current. These simulations suggest how specific ion channels within the DRG may contribute toward therapeutic treatments for chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Sundt
- Department of Biology, UTSA Neurosciences Institute, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Nikita Gamper
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, People's Republic of China; and Faculty of Biological Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - David B Jaffe
- Department of Biology, UTSA Neurosciences Institute, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas;
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Bou Farah L, Bowman BR, Bokiniec P, Karim S, Le S, Goodchild AK, McMullan S. Somatostatin in the rat rostral ventrolateral medulla: Origins and mechanism of action. J Comp Neurol 2015; 524:323-42. [PMID: 26131686 DOI: 10.1002/cne.23846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2015] [Revised: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Somatostatin (SST) or agonists of the SST-2 receptor (sst2 ) in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) lower sympathetic nerve activity, arterial pressure, and heart rate, or when administered within the Bötzinger region, evoke apneusis. Our aims were to describe the mechanisms responsible for the sympathoinhibitory effects of SST on bulbospinal neurons and to identify likely sources of RVLM SST release. Patch clamp recordings were made from bulbospinal RVLM neurons (n = 31) in brainstem slices prepared from juvenile rat pups. Overall, 58% of neurons responded to SST, displaying an increase in conductance that reversed at -93 mV, indicative of an inwardly rectifying potassium channel (GIRK) mechanism. Blockade of sst2 abolished this effect, but application of tetrodotoxin did not, indicating that the SST effect is independent of presynaptic activity. Fourteen bulbospinal RVLM neurons were recovered for immunohistochemistry; nine were SST-insensitive and did not express sst2a . Three out of five responsive neurons were sst2a -immunoreactive. Neurons that contained preprosomatostatin mRNA and cholera-toxin-B retrogradely transported from the RVLM were detected in: paratrigeminal nucleus, lateral parabrachial nucleus, Kölliker-Fuse nucleus, ventrolateral periaqueductal gray area, central nucleus of the amygdala, sublenticular extended amygdala, interstitial nucleus of the posterior limb of the anterior commissure nucleus, and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Thus, those brain regions are putative sources of endogenous SST release that, when activated, may evoke sympathoinhibitory effects via interactions with subsets of sympathetic premotor neurons that express sst2 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Lama Bou Farah
- Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University, 2109, NSW, Australia
| | - Belinda R Bowman
- Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University, 2109, NSW, Australia
| | - Phil Bokiniec
- Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University, 2109, NSW, Australia
| | - Shafinaz Karim
- Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University, 2109, NSW, Australia
| | - Sheng Le
- Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University, 2109, NSW, Australia
| | - Ann K Goodchild
- Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University, 2109, NSW, Australia
| | - Simon McMullan
- Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University, 2109, NSW, Australia
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Djouhri L, Al Otaibi M, Kahlat K, Smith T, Sathish J, Weng X. Persistent hindlimb inflammation induces changes in activation properties of hyperpolarization-activated current (Ih) in rat C-fiber nociceptors in vivo. Neuroscience 2015; 301:121-33. [PMID: 26047727 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.05.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2015] [Revised: 05/24/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
A hallmark of chronic inflammation is hypersensitivity to noxious and innocuous stimuli. This inflammatory pain hypersensitivity results partly from hyperexcitability of nociceptive dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons innervating inflamed tissue, although the underlying ionic mechanisms are not fully understood. However, we have previously shown that the nociceptor hyperexcitability is associated with increased expression of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 2 (HCN2) protein and hyperpolarization-activated current (Ih) in C-nociceptors. Here we used in vivo voltage-clamp and current-clamp recordings, in deeply anesthetized rats, to determine whether activation properties of Ih in these C-nociceptors also change following persistent (not acute) hindlimb inflammation induced by complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Recordings were made from lumbar (L4/L5) C-nociceptive DRG neurons. Behavioral sensory testing was performed 5-7days after CFA treatment, and all the CFA-treated group showed significant behavioral signs of mechanical and heat hypersensitivity, but not spontaneous pain. Compared with control, C-nociceptors recorded 5-7days after CFA showed: (a) a significant increase in the incidence of spontaneous activity (from ∼5% to 26%) albeit at low rate (0.14±0.08Hz (Mean±SEM); range, 0.01-0.29Hz), (b) a significant increase in the percentage of neurons expressing Ih (from 35%, n=43-84%, n=50) based on the presence of voltage "sag" of >10%, and (c) a significant increase in the conductance (Gh) of the somatic channels conducting Ih along with the corresponding Ih,Ih, activation rate, but not voltage dependence, in C-nociceptors. Given that activation of Ih depolarizes the neuronal membrane toward the threshold of action potential generation, these changes in Ih kinetics in CFA C-nociceptors may contribute to their hyperexcitability and thus to pain hypersensitivity associated with persistent inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Djouhri
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, P.O. Box 7805, Riyadh 11472, Saudi Arabia
| | - M Al Otaibi
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, P.O. Box 7805, Riyadh 11472, Saudi Arabia
| | - K Kahlat
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, P.O. Box 7805, Riyadh 11472, Saudi Arabia
| | - T Smith
- Wolfson CARD, Neurorestoration Group, Hodgkin Building, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - J Sathish
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology;Sherrington Buildings, University of Liverpool, L69 3GE, UK
| | - X Weng
- Department of Neurobiology and State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Institute of B Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing 100850, China.
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Inhibition of Hyperpolarization-Activated Cation Current in Medium-Sized DRG Neurons Contributed to the Antiallodynic Effect of Methylcobalamin in the Rat of a Chronic Compression of the DRG. Neural Plast 2015; 2015:197392. [PMID: 26101670 PMCID: PMC4460234 DOI: 10.1155/2015/197392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2015] [Revised: 03/23/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently several lines of evidence demonstrated that methylcobalamin (MeCbl) might have potential analgesic effect in experimental and clinical studies. However, it was reported that MeCbl had no effect on treating lumbar spinal stenosis induced pain. Thus, the effects of short-term and long-term administration of MeCbl were examined in the chronic compression of dorsal root ganglion (CCD) model. We found that mechanical allodynia was significantly inhibited by a continuous application of high dose and a single treatment of a super high dose of MeCbl. Little is known about mechanisms underlying the analgesia of MeCbl. We examined the effect of MeCbl on the spontaneous activity (SA), the excitability, and hyperpolarization-activated nonselective cation ion current in compressed medium-sized dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons using extracellular single fiber recording in vivo and whole-cell patch clamp in vitro. We found that MeCbl significantly inhibited the SA of A-type sensory neurons in a dose-dependent manner and inhibited the excitability of medium-sized DRG neurons. In addition, MeCbl also decreased Ih current density in injured medium-sized DRG neurons. Our results proved that MeCbl might exert an analgesic effect through the inhibition Ih current and then might inhibit the hyperexcitability of primary sensory neurons under neuropathic pain state.
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31
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Cho Y, Kim Y, Moozhayil S, Yang E, Bae Y. The expression of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 1 (HCN1) and HCN2 in the rat trigeminal ganglion, sensory root, and dental pulp. Neuroscience 2015; 291:15-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.01.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2014] [Revised: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 01/28/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Liu N, Zhang D, Zhu M, Luo S, Liu T. Minocycline inhibits hyperpolarization-activated currents in rat substantia gelatinosa neurons. Neuropharmacology 2015; 95:110-20. [PMID: 25777286 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2015] [Revised: 03/04/2015] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Minocycline is a widely used glial activation inhibitor that could suppress pain-related behaviors in a number of different pain animal models, yet, its analgesic mechanisms are not fully understood. Hyperpolarization-activated cation channel-induced Ih current plays an important role in neuronal excitability and pathological pain. In this study, we investigated the possible effect of minocycline on Ih of substantia gelatinosa neuron in superficial spinal dorsal horn by using whole-cell patch-clamp recording. We found that extracellular minocycline rapidly decreases Ih amplitude in a reversible and concentration-dependent manner (IC50 = 41 μM). By contrast, intracellular minocycline had no effect. Minocycline-induced inhibition of Ih was not affected by Na(+) channel blocker tetrodotoxin, glutamate-receptor antagonists (CNQX and D-APV), GABAA receptor antagonist (bicuculine methiodide), or glycine receptor antagonist (strychnine). Minocycline also caused a negative shift in the activation curve of Ih, but did not alter the reversal potential. Moreover, minocycline slowed down the inter-spike depolarizing slope and produced a robust decrease in the rate of action potential firing. Together, these results illustrate a novel cellular mechanism underlying minocycline's analgesic effect by inhibiting Ih currents of spinal dorsal horn neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nana Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Daying Zhang
- Department of Pain Clinic, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Mengye Zhu
- Department of Pain Clinic, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Shiwen Luo
- Center for Laboratory Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China; Center for Laboratory Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China.
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Herrmann S, Schnorr S, Ludwig A. HCN channels--modulators of cardiac and neuronal excitability. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:1429-47. [PMID: 25580535 PMCID: PMC4307311 DOI: 10.3390/ijms16011429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2014] [Accepted: 12/31/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels comprise a family of cation channels activated by hyperpolarized membrane potentials and stimulated by intracellular cyclic nucleotides. The four members of this family, HCN1-4, show distinct biophysical properties which are most evident in the kinetics of activation and deactivation, the sensitivity towards cyclic nucleotides and the modulation by tyrosine phosphorylation. The four isoforms are differentially expressed in various excitable tissues. This review will mainly focus on recent insights into the functional role of the channels apart from their classic role as pacemakers. The importance of HCN channels in the cardiac ventricle and ventricular hypertrophy will be discussed. In addition, their functional significance in the peripheral nervous system and nociception will be examined. The data, which are mainly derived from studies using transgenic mice, suggest that HCN channels contribute significantly to cellular excitability in these tissues. Remarkably, the impact of the channels is clearly more pronounced in pathophysiological states including ventricular hypertrophy as well as neural inflammation and neuropathy suggesting that HCN channels may constitute promising drug targets in the treatment of these conditions. This perspective as well as the current therapeutic use of HCN blockers will also be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Herrmann
- Institut für Experimentelle und Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Sabine Schnorr
- Institut für Experimentelle und Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Andreas Ludwig
- Institut für Experimentelle und Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
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35
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Contribution of hyperpolarization-activated channels to heat hypersensitivity and ongoing activity in the neuritis model. Neuroscience 2014; 284:87-98. [PMID: 25290015 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.08.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2014] [Revised: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 08/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Neuritis can cause pain hypersensitivities in the absence of axonal degeneration. Such hypersensitivities are reputed to be maintained by ongoing activity into the spinal cord, which, in the neuritis model, is mainly generated from intact C-fiber neurons. The hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) family of ion channels has been implicated in nerve injury-induced pain hypersensitivities. The present study has examined the role of these channels in the development of heat and mechanical hypersensitivities in the neuritis model. The systemic administration of the HCN-specific blocker ZD7288 produced a reversal of heat but not mechanical hypersensitivity within one hour post-administration. Recordings from C-fiber neurons were performed to determine whether ZD7288 acts by inhibiting ongoing activity. ZD7288 (0.5mM) caused a 44.1% decrease in the ongoing activity rate following its application to the neuritis site. Immunohistochemical examination of the HCN2 channel subtype within the L5 dorsal root ganglia revealed an increase in expression in neuronal cell bodies of all sizes post-neuritis. In conclusion, HCN channels contribute to the development of neuritis-induced heat hypersensitivity and ongoing activity. Drugs that target HCN channels may be beneficial in the treatment of neuropathic pain in patients with nerve inflammation.
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Boada MD, Gutierrez S, Aschenbrenner CA, Houle TT, Hayashida KI, Ririe DG, Eisenach JC. Nerve injury induces a new profile of tactile and mechanical nociceptor input from undamaged peripheral afferents. J Neurophysiol 2014; 113:100-9. [PMID: 25274350 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00506.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain after nerve injury is often accompanied by hypersensitivity to mechanical stimuli, yet whether this reflects altered input, altered processing, or both remains unclear. Spinal nerve ligation or transection results in hypersensitivity to mechanical stimuli in skin innervated by adjacent dorsal root ganglia, but no previous study has quantified the changes in receptive field properties of these neurons in vivo. To address this, we recorded intracellularly from L4 dorsal root ganglion neurons of anesthetized young adult rats, 1 wk after L5 partial spinal nerve ligation (pSNL) or sham surgery. One week after pSNL, hindpaw mechanical withdrawal threshold in awake, freely behaving animals was decreased in the L4 distribution on the nerve-injured side compared with sham controls. Electrophysiology revealed that high-threshold mechanoreceptive cells of A-fiber conduction velocity in L4 were sensitized, with a seven-fold reduction in mechanical threshold, a seven-fold increase in receptive field area, and doubling of maximum instantaneous frequency in response to peripheral stimuli, accompanied by reductions in after-hyperpolarization amplitude and duration. Only a reduction in mechanical threshold (minimum von Frey hair producing neuronal activity) was observed in C-fiber conduction velocity high-threshold mechanoreceptive cells. In contrast, low-threshold mechanoreceptive cells were desensitized, with a 13-fold increase in mechanical threshold, a 60% reduction in receptive field area, and a 40% reduction in instantaneous frequency to stimulation. No spontaneous activity was observed in L4 ganglia, and the likelihood of recording from neurons without a mechanical receptive field was increased after pSNL. These data suggest massively altered input from undamaged sensory afferents innervating areas of hypersensitivity after nerve injury, with reduced tactile and increased nociceptive afferent response. These findings differ importantly from previous preclinical studies, but are consistent with clinical findings in most patients with chronic neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Danilo Boada
- Department of Anesthesiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Silvia Gutierrez
- Department of Anesthesiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Carol A Aschenbrenner
- Department of Anesthesiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Timothy T Houle
- Department of Anesthesiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Ken-Ichiro Hayashida
- Department of Anesthesiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Douglas G Ririe
- Department of Anesthesiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - James C Eisenach
- Department of Anesthesiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
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Du X, Hao H, Gigout S, Huang D, Yang Y, Li L, Wang C, Sundt D, Jaffe DB, Zhang H, Gamper N. Control of somatic membrane potential in nociceptive neurons and its implications for peripheral nociceptive transmission. Pain 2014; 155:2306-22. [PMID: 25168672 PMCID: PMC4247381 DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2014.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2014] [Revised: 08/02/2014] [Accepted: 08/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Peripheral sensory ganglia contain somata of afferent fibres conveying somatosensory inputs to the central nervous system. Growing evidence suggests that the somatic/perisomatic region of sensory neurons can influence peripheral sensory transmission. Control of resting membrane potential (Erest) is an important mechanism regulating excitability, but surprisingly little is known about how Erest is regulated in sensory neuron somata or how changes in somatic/perisomatic Erest affect peripheral sensory transmission. We first evaluated the influence of several major ion channels on Erest in cultured small-diameter, mostly capsaicin-sensitive (presumed nociceptive) dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. The strongest and most prevalent effect on Erest was achieved by modulating M channels, K2P and 4-aminopiridine-sensitive KV channels, while hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated, voltage-gated Na+, and T-type Ca2+ channels to a lesser extent also contributed to Erest. Second, we investigated how varying somatic/perisomatic membrane potential, by manipulating ion channels of sensory neurons within the DRG, affected peripheral nociceptive transmission in vivo. Acute focal application of M or KATP channel enhancers or a hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel blocker to L5 DRG in vivo significantly alleviated pain induced by hind paw injection of bradykinin. Finally, we show with computational modelling how somatic/perisomatic hyperpolarization, in concert with the low-pass filtering properties of the t-junction within the DRG, can interfere with action potential propagation. Our study deciphers a complement of ion channels that sets the somatic Erest of nociceptive neurons and provides strong evidence for a robust filtering role of the somatic and perisomatic compartments of peripheral nociceptive neuron.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaona Du
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, PR China.
| | - Han Hao
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, PR China
| | - Sylvain Gigout
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Dongyang Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, PR China
| | - Yuehui Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, PR China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, PR China
| | - Caixue Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, PR China
| | - Danielle Sundt
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - David B Jaffe
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Hailin Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, PR China
| | - Nikita Gamper
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, PR China; Faculty of Biological Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
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Enhanced excitability of primary sensory neurons and altered gene expression of neuronal ion channels in dorsal root ganglion in paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy. Anesthesiology 2014; 120:1463-75. [PMID: 24534904 DOI: 10.1097/aln.0000000000000176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanism of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy after paclitaxel treatment is not well understood. Given the poor penetration of paclitaxel into central nervous system, peripheral nervous system is most at risk. METHODS Intrinsic membrane properties of dorsal root ganglion neurons were studied by intracellular recordings. Multiple-gene real-time polymerase chain reaction array was used to investigate gene expression of dorsal root ganglion neuronal ion channels. RESULTS Paclitaxel increased the incidence of spontaneous activity from 4.8 to 27.1% in large-sized and from 0 to 33.3% in medium-sized neurons. Paclitaxel decreased the rheobase (nA) from 1.6 ± 0.1 to 0.8 ± 0.1 in large-sized, from 1.5 ± 0.2 to 0.6 ± 0.1 in medium-sized, and from 1.6 ± 0.2 to 1.0 ± 0.1 in small-sized neurons. After paclitaxel treatment, other characteristics of membrane properties in each group remained the same except that Aδ neurons showed shorter action potential fall time (ms) (1.0 ± 0.2, n = 10 vs. 1.8 ± 0.3, n = 9, paclitaxel vs. vehicle). Meanwhile, real-time polymerase chain reaction array revealed an alteration in expression of some neuronal ion channel genes including up-regulation of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 1 (fold change 1.76 ± 0.06) and Nav1.7 (1.26 ± 0.02) and down-regulation of Kir channels (Kir1.1, 0.73 ± 0.05, Kir3.4, 0.66 ± 0.06) in paclitaxel-treated animals. CONCLUSION The increased neuronal excitability and the changes in gene expression of some neuronal ion channels in dorsal root ganglion may provide insight into the molecular and cellular basis of paclitaxel-induced neuropathy, which may lead to novel therapeutic strategies.
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Young GT, Emery EC, Mooney ER, Tsantoulas C, McNaughton PA. Inflammatory and neuropathic pain are rapidly suppressed by peripheral block of hyperpolarisation-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels. Pain 2014; 155:1708-1719. [PMID: 24861581 DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2014.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2013] [Revised: 04/30/2014] [Accepted: 05/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that hyperpolarisation-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN)-2 ion channels regulate the firing frequency of nociceptive sensory neurons and thus play a central role in both inflammatory and neuropathic pain conditions. Here we use ivabradine, a clinically approved anti-anginal agent that blocks all HCN channel isoforms approximately equally, to investigate the effect on inflammatory and neuropathic pain of HCN ion channel block. We show that ivabradine does not have major off-target effects on a sample group of Na, Ca, and K ion channels, and that it is peripherally restricted because it is a substrate for the P-glycoprotein (PgP) multidrug transporter that is expressed in the blood-brain barrier. Its effects are therefore likely to be due to an action on HCN ion channels in peripheral sensory neurons. Using patch clamp electrophysiology, we found that ivabradine was a use-dependent blocker of native HCN channels expressed in small sensory neurons. Ivabradine suppressed the action potential firing that is induced in nociceptive neurons by elevation of intracellular cAMP. In the formalin model of inflammatory pain, ivabradine reduced pain behaviour only in the second (inflammatory) phase. In nerve injury and chemotherapy models of neuropathic pain, we observed rapid and effective analgesia as effective as that with gabapentin. We conclude that both inflammatory and neuropathic pain are rapidly inhibited by blocking HCN-dependent repetitive firing in peripheral nociceptive neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth T Young
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Research, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London, UK
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Schnorr S, Eberhardt M, Kistner K, Rajab H, Käer J, Hess A, Reeh P, Ludwig A, Herrmann S. HCN2 channels account for mechanical (but not heat) hyperalgesia during long-standing inflammation. Pain 2014; 155:1079-1090. [PMID: 24525276 DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2014.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2013] [Revised: 01/28/2014] [Accepted: 02/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
There is emerging evidence that hyperpolarization-activated cation (HCN) channels are involved in the development of pathological pain, including allodynia and hyperalgesia. Mice lacking the HCN isoform 2 display reduced heat but unchanged mechanical pain behavior, as recently shown in preclinical models of acute inflammatory pain. However, the impact of HCN2 to chronic pain conditions is less clear and has not been examined so far. In this report, we study the role of HCN2 in the complete Freund's adjuvant inflammation model reflecting chronic pain conditions. We used sensory neuron-specific as well as inducible global HCN2 mutants analyzing pain behavior in persistent inflammation and complemented this by region-specific administration of an HCN channel blocker. Our results demonstrate that the absence of HCN2 in primary sensory neurons reduces tactile hypersensitivity in chronic inflammatory conditions but leaves heat hypersensitivity unaffected. This result is in remarkable contrast to the recently described role of HCN2 in acute inflammatory conditions. We show that chronic inflammation results in an increased expression of HCN2 and causes sensitization in peripheral and spinal terminals of the pain transduction pathway. The contribution of HCN2 to peripheral sensitization mechanisms was further supported by single-fiber recordings from isolated skin-nerve preparations and by conduction velocity measurements of saphenous nerve preparations. Global HCN2 mutants revealed that heat hypersensitivity-unaffected in peripheral HCN2 mutants-was diminished by the additional disruption of central HCN2 channels, suggesting that thermal hyperalgesia under chronic inflammatory conditions is mediated by HCN2 channels beyond primary sensory afferents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Schnorr
- Institut für Experimentelle und Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany Institut für Physiologie und Pathophysiologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany Klinik für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Germany
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Cheng Q, Zhou Y. Novel role of KT5720 on regulating hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel activity and dorsal root ganglion neuron excitability. DNA Cell Biol 2013; 32:320-8. [PMID: 23713946 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2013.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels are expressed in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, which are involved in diverse mechanisms that regulate DRG functions. Protein kinase A (PKA) is an essential kinase that plays a key role in almost all types of cells; it regulates the ion channel activity, the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, as well as modulates cellular signals transduction. Nevertheless, the effect of PKA inhibition on the HCN channel activity in DRG neuron remains to be elucidated. Here we investigated the impact of PKA inhibition on the HCN channel activity and DRG neurons excitability. Our patch-clamp experiments both under whole-cell and single-channel conditions demonstrated that PKA inhibition with KT5720, a cell membrane permeable PKA-specific inhibitor, significantly attenuated HCN channel currents. Current clamp recording on freshly isolated DRG neurons showed KT5720 reduced overshoot amplitude and enhanced the threshold of the action potential. Moreover, our live-cell Ca(2+) imaging experiments illustrated KT5720 markedly reduced the intracellular Ca(2+) level. Collectively, this is the first report that addresses KT5720 attenuates the HCN channel activity and intracellular Ca(2+), thus reducing DRG neurons excitability. Therefore, our data strongly suggest that PKA is a potential target for curing HCN and DRG neuron relevant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuping Cheng
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
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Acosta C, McMullan S, Djouhri L, Gao L, Watkins R, Berry C, Dempsey K, Lawson SN. HCN1 and HCN2 in Rat DRG neurons: levels in nociceptors and non-nociceptors, NT3-dependence and influence of CFA-induced skin inflammation on HCN2 and NT3 expression. PLoS One 2012; 7:e50442. [PMID: 23236374 PMCID: PMC3517619 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0050442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2012] [Accepted: 10/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ih, which influences neuronal excitability, has recently been measured in vivo in sensory neuron subtypes in dorsal root ganglia (DRGs). However, expression levels of HCN (hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated) channel proteins that underlie Ih were unknown. We therefore examined immunostaining of the most abundant isoforms in DRGs, HCN1 and HCN2 in these neuron subtypes. This immunostaining was cytoplasmic and membrane-associated (ring). Ring-staining for both isoforms was in neurofilament-rich A-fiber neurons, but not in small neurofilament-poor C-fiber neurons, although some C-neurons showed cytoplasmic HCN2 staining. We recorded intracellularly from DRG neurons in vivo, determined their sensory properties (nociceptive or low-threshold-mechanoreceptive, LTM) and conduction velocities (CVs). We then injected fluorescent dye enabling subsequent immunostaining. For each dye-injected neuron, ring- and cytoplasmic-immunointensities were determined relative to maximum ring-immunointensity. Both HCN1- and HCN2-ring-immunointensities were positively correlated with CV in both nociceptors and LTMs; they were high in Aβ-nociceptors and Aα/β-LTMs. High HCN1 and HCN2 levels in Aα/β-neurons may, via Ih, influence normal non-painful (e.g. touch and proprioceptive) sensations as well as nociception and pain. HCN2-, not HCN1-, ring-intensities were higher in muscle spindle afferents (MSAs) than in all other neurons. The previously reported very high Ih in MSAs may relate to their very high HCN2. In normal C-nociceptors, low HCN1 and HCN2 were consistent with their low/undetectable Ih. In some C-LTMs HCN2-intensities were higher than in C-nociceptors. Together, HCN1 and HCN2 expressions reflect previously reported Ih magnitudes and properties in neuronal subgroups, suggesting these isoforms underlie Ih in DRG neurons. Expression of both isoforms was NT3-dependent in cultured DRG neurons. HCN2-immunostaining in small neurons increased 1 day after cutaneous inflammation (CFA-induced) and recovered by 4 days. This could contribute to acute inflammatory pain. HCN2-immunostaining in large neurons decreased 4 days after CFA, when NT3 was decreased in the DRG. Thus HCN2-expression control differs between large and small neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Acosta
- School of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Simon McMullan
- Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Laiche Djouhri
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahssa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Linlin Gao
- School of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Department of Physiology, Tongji Medical School, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Roger Watkins
- School of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Carol Berry
- School of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine Dempsey
- School of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Sally N. Lawson
- School of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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