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Ding X, Yu F, He X, Xu S, Yang G, Ren W. Rubbing Salt in the Wound: Molecular Evolutionary Analysis of Pain-Related Genes Reveals the Pain Adaptation of Cetaceans in Seawater. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12243571. [PMID: 36552490 PMCID: PMC9774174 DOI: 10.3390/ani12243571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain, usually caused by a strong or disruptive stimulus, is an unpleasant sensation that serves as a warning to organisms. To adapt to extreme environments, some terrestrial animals have evolved to be inherently insensitive to pain. Cetaceans are known as supposedly indifferent to pain from soft tissue injury representatives of marine mammals. However, the molecular mechanisms that explain how cetaceans are adapted to pain in response to seawater environment remain unclear. Here, we performed a molecular evolutionary analysis of pain-related genes in selected representatives of cetaceans. ASIC4 gene was identified to be pseudogenized in all odontocetes (toothed whales) except from Physeter macrocephalus (sperm whales), and relaxed selection of this gene was detected in toothed whales with pseudogenized ASIC4. In addition, positive selection was detected in pain perception (i.e., ASIC3, ANO1, CCK, and SCN9A) and analgesia (i.e., ASIC3, ANO1, CCK, and SCN9A) genes among the examined cetaceans. In this study, potential convergent amino acid substitutions within predicted proteins were found among the examined cetaceans and other terrestrial mammals, inhabiting extreme environments (e.g., V441I of TRPV1 in cetaceans and naked mole rats). Moreover, specific amino acid substitutions within predicted sequences of several proteins were found in the studied representatives of cetaceans (e.g., F56L and D163A of ASIC3, E88G of GRK2, and F159L of OPRD1). Most of the substitutions were located within important functional domains of proteins, affecting their protein functions. The above evidence suggests that cetaceans might have undergone adaptive molecular evolution in pain-related genes through different evolutionary patterns to adapt to pain, resulting in greater sensitivity to pain and more effective analgesia. This study could have implications for diagnosis and treatment of human pain.
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Galor A, Hamrah P, Haque S, Attal N, Labetoulle M. Understanding chronic ocular surface pain: An unmet need for targeted drug therapy. Ocul Surf 2022; 26:148-156. [PMID: 35970433 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2022.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Chronic ocular surface pain (COSP) may be defined as a feeling of pain, perceived as originating from the ocular surface, that persists for >3 months. COSP is a complex multifactorial condition associated with several risk factors that may significantly interfere with an individual's daily activities, resulting in poor quality of life (QoL). COSP is also likely to have a high burden on patients with substantial implications on global healthcare costs. While patients may use varied terminology to describe symptoms of COSP, any ocular surface damage in the ocular sensory apparatus (nociceptive, neuropathic, inflammatory, or combination thereof) resulting in low tear production, chronic inflammation, or nerve abnormalities (functional and/or morphological), is typically associated with COSP. Considering the heterogeneity of this condition, it is highly recommended that advanced multimodal diagnostic tools are utilized to help discern the nociceptive and neuropathic pain pathways in order to provide targeted treatment and effective clinical management. The current article provides an overview of COSP, including its multifactorial pathophysiology, etiology, prevalence, clinical presentation, impact on QoL, diagnosis, current management, and unmet medical needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anat Galor
- Surgical Services, Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Centre and Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Pedram Hamrah
- Tufts Medical Centre, New England Eye Center, 260 Tremont Street Biewend Building, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Nadine Attal
- CHU Paris IdF Ouest - Hôpital Ambroise Paré, 9 avenue Charles de Gaulle, 92100, Boulogne-Billancourt, INSERM U 987 and Université Paris Saclay, France
| | - Marc Labetoulle
- Service d'Ophtalmologie, hôpital Bicêtre, AP-HP, Université Paris Saclay, 94275, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; IMVA-HB/IDMI, CEA, Inserm U1184, 92265, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
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Montalbano G, Levanti M, Mhalhel K, Abbate F, Laurà R, Guerrera MC, Aragona M, Germanà A. Acid-Sensing Ion Channels in Zebrafish. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:2471. [PMID: 34438928 DOI: 10.3390/ani11082471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The present review collects data regarding the presence of ASICs (acid-sensing ion channels) in zebrafish, which have become, over several years, an important experimental model for the study of various diseases. ASICs are a family of ion channels involved in the perception of different types of stimuli. They are excitatory receptors for extracellular H+ involved in synaptic transmission, the peripheral perception of pain and in chemical or mechanosensation. Abstract The ASICs, in mammals as in fish, control deviations from the physiological values of extracellular pH, and are involved in mechanoreception, nociception, or taste receptions. They are widely expressed in the central and peripheral nervous system. In this review, we summarized the data about the presence and localization of ASICs in different organs of zebrafish that represent one of the most used experimental models for the study of several diseases. In particular, we analyzed the data obtained by immunohistochemical and molecular biology techniques concerning the presence and expression of ASICs in the sensory organs, such as the olfactory rosette, lateral line, inner ear, taste buds, and in the gut and brain of zebrafish.
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Cui J, Lu W, He Y, Jiang L, Li K, Zhu W, Wang D. Molecular biology of frozen shoulder-induced limitation of shoulder joint movements. J Res Med Sci 2017; 22:61. [PMID: 28616048 PMCID: PMC5461583 DOI: 10.4103/jrms.jrms_1005_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2017] [Revised: 02/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Frozen shoulder is a chronic condition characterized by pain in the shoulder and restriction of movements in all directions. Some patients are left with long-term limitation of shoulder joint activity with various severities, which results in reduced quality of life. Currently, there is a paucity of literature on the molecular biology of frozen shoulder, and the molecular biological mechanism for periarthritis-induced limitation of shoulder joint movements remains unclear. Research in this field is focused on inflammation and cytokines associated with fibrosis. Repeated investigations confirmed alterations of specified inflammatory mediators and fibrosis-associated cytokines, which might be involved in the pathogenesis of frozen shoulder by causing structural changes of the shoulder joint and eventually the limitation of shoulder movements. The aim of this article is to review studies on molecular biology of frozen shoulder and provide a reference for subsequent research, treatment, and development of new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaming Cui
- Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510182, P. R. China.,Department of Sports Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, P. R. China.,Shenzhen Research and Development Engineering Center for Sports Medicine, Shenzhen 518000, P. R. China.,Chinese Orthopaedic Regenerative Medicine Group, Hangzhou 310000, P. R. China
| | - Wei Lu
- Department of Sports Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, P. R. China.,Shenzhen Research and Development Engineering Center for Sports Medicine, Shenzhen 518000, P. R. China.,Chinese Orthopaedic Regenerative Medicine Group, Hangzhou 310000, P. R. China
| | - Yong He
- Department of Sports Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, P. R. China
| | - Luoyong Jiang
- Department of Sports Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, P. R. China
| | - Kuokuo Li
- Department of Sports Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, P. R. China
| | - Weimin Zhu
- Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510182, P. R. China.,Department of Sports Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, P. R. China.,Shenzhen Research and Development Engineering Center for Sports Medicine, Shenzhen 518000, P. R. China.,Chinese Orthopaedic Regenerative Medicine Group, Hangzhou 310000, P. R. China
| | - Daping Wang
- Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510182, P. R. China.,Department of Sports Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, P. R. China.,Shenzhen Research and Development Engineering Center for Sports Medicine, Shenzhen 518000, P. R. China.,Chinese Orthopaedic Regenerative Medicine Group, Hangzhou 310000, P. R. China
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Abstract
The sigma-1 receptor is a unique ligand-operated chaperone present in key areas for pain control, in both the peripheral and central nervous system. Sigma-1 receptors interact with a variety of protein targets to modify their function. These targets include several G-protein-coupled receptors such as the μ-opioid receptor, and ion channels such as the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR). Sigma-1 antagonists modify the chaperoning activity of sigma-1 receptor by increasing opioid signaling and decreasing NMDAR responses, consequently enhancing opioid antinociception and decreasing the sensory hypersensitivity that characterizes pathological pain conditions. However, the participation in pain relief of other protein partners of sigma-1 receptors in addition to opioid receptors and NMDARs cannot be ruled out. The enhanced opioid antinociception by sigma-1 antagonism is not accompanied by an increase in opioid side effects , including tolerance, dependence or constipation, so the use of sigma-1 antagonists may increase the therapeutic index of opioids. Furthermore, sigma-1 antagonists (in the absence of opioids) have been shown to exert antinociceptive effects in preclinical models of neuropathic pain induced by nerve trauma or chemical injury (the antineoplastic paclitaxel), and more recently in inflammatory and ischemic pain. Although most studies attributed the analgesic properties of sigma-1 antagonists to their central actions, it is now known that peripheral sigma-1 receptors also participate in their effects. Overwhelming preclinical evidence of the role of sigma-1 receptors in pain has led to the development of the first selective sigma-1 antagonist with an intended indication for pain treatment, which is currently in Phase II clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Sánchez-Fernández
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Avenida de la Investigación 11, 18016, Granada, Spain
- Institute of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Center, University of Granada, Parque Tecnológico de Ciencias de la Salud, 18100, Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - José Manuel Entrena
- Institute of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Center, University of Granada, Parque Tecnológico de Ciencias de la Salud, 18100, Armilla, Granada, Spain
- Animal Behavior Research Unit, Scientific Instrumentation Center, University of Granada, Parque Tecnológico de Ciencias de la Salud, 18100, Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - José Manuel Baeyens
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Avenida de la Investigación 11, 18016, Granada, Spain
- Institute of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Center, University of Granada, Parque Tecnológico de Ciencias de la Salud, 18100, Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Enrique José Cobos
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Avenida de la Investigación 11, 18016, Granada, Spain.
- Institute of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Center, University of Granada, Parque Tecnológico de Ciencias de la Salud, 18100, Armilla, Granada, Spain.
- Teófilo Hernando Institute for Drug Discovery, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
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Liu S, Cheng XY, Wang F, Liu CF. Acid-sensing ion channels: potential therapeutic targets for neurologic diseases. Transl Neurodegener 2015; 4:10. [PMID: 26029363 PMCID: PMC4449961 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-015-0031-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Maintaining the physiological pH of interstitial fluid is crucial for normal cellular functions. In disease states, tissue acidosis is a common pathologic change causing abnormal activation of acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs), which according to cumulative evidence, significantly contributes to inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and other pathologic mechanisms (i.e., pain, stroke, and psychiatric conditions). Thus, it has become increasingly clear that ASICs are critical in the progression of neurologic diseases. This review is focused on the importance of ASICs as potential therapeutic targets in combating neurologic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha Liu
- />Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow University, 1055 Sanxiang Road, Suzhou, 215004 China
| | - Xiao-Yu Cheng
- />Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow University, 1055 Sanxiang Road, Suzhou, 215004 China
| | - Fen Wang
- />Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow University, 1055 Sanxiang Road, Suzhou, 215004 China
- />Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123 China
| | - Chun-Feng Liu
- />Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow University, 1055 Sanxiang Road, Suzhou, 215004 China
- />Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123 China
- />Beijing Key Laboratory for Parkinson’s Disease, Beijing, 100053 China
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