Article
Neurosciences
Justin E. LaVigne, Ian M. Adams, Marena A. Montera, Karin N. Westlund, Sascha R. A. Alles
Summary: Dynorphin A (1-17) (DynA17) has been identified as a key regulator of chronic pain, affecting both the sensory and affective dimensions. Blocking the increases of DynA17 in spinal and supraspinal areas related to chronic pain has therapeutic benefits in preclinical models. This report investigates the cellular physiological effects of DynA17 and how intrathecal administration modifies the periaqueductal gray, a crucial node in the pain axis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sara Caxaria, Sabah Bharde, Alice M. Fuller, Romy Evans, Bethan Thomas, Petek Celik, Francesco Dell'Accio, Simon Yona, Derek Gilroy, Mathieu-Benoit Voisin, John N. Wood, Shafaq Sikandar
Summary: We demonstrated the role of neutrophils in fibromyalgia by using a back-translational approach in mice. Adoptive transfer of neutrophils from mice with chronic widespread pain or patients with fibromyalgia can induce mechanical pain in recipient mice, sensitize spinal cord neurons, and cause changes in the expression of neutrophil proteins that lead to neutrophil infiltration into dorsal root ganglia. These findings suggest an immunological basis for chronic widespread pain in fibromyalgia mediated by neutrophils.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ruirui Lu, Katharina Metzner, Fangyuan Zhou, Cathrin Flauaus, Annika Balzulat, Patrick Engel, Jonas Petersen, Rebekka Ehinger, Anne Bausch, Peter Ruth, Robert Lukowski, Achim Schmidtko
Summary: The sodium-activated potassium channel Slack plays a role in sensory neurons and is involved in mediating sodium-activated potassium current (I-KNa) and modulating neuronal activity. Studies found that Slack activity is reduced in sensory neurons after peripheral nerve injury, contributing to neuropathic pain hypersensitivity, and that it is associated with ATP-sensitive P2X3 receptors. Experiments showed that Slack-mediated I-KNa can be bidirectionally modulated in response to P2X3 activation, suggesting a potential novel strategy for treating neuropathic pain.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Fangyuan Zhou, Katharina Metzner, Patrick Engel, Annika Balzulat, Marco Sisignano, Peter Ruth, Robert Lukowski, Achim Schmidtko, Ruirui Lu
Summary: The study reveals that Slack serves as a modulator of TRPA1-mediated activation of sensory neurons, but not TRPV1-mediated activation.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ricardo H. Roda, David Bargiela, Weiran Chen, Ken Perry, Ronald J. Ellis, David B. Clifford, Ajay Bharti, Asha R. Kallianpur, Michelli F. Oliveira, Monica M. Diaz, Leah H. Rubin, Christina Gavegnano, Justin C. McArthur, Ahmet Hoke, Michael Polydefkis
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the correlation of large mtDNA deletions in skin samples of people with HIV with measures of neuropathy and prior exposure to therapy. Results showed a correlation between the total mtDNA deletion and intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) and sural nerve amplitude in PWH with HIV-associated sensory neuropathy.
Article
Cell Biology
Daniel Segelcke, Hanna K. Fischer, Meike Huette, Sven Dennerlein, Fritz Benseler, Nils Brose, Esther M. Pogatzki-Zahn, Manuela Schmidt
Summary: Tmem160 plays a significant role in the establishment of nerve injury-induced pain behaviors in male mice, but is dispensable for other pain modalities and entities. The findings reveal Tmem160 as a sexually dimorphic factor in the development of specific nerve-induced pain behaviors.
Article
Biology
Minh Q. Nguyen, Lars J. von Buchholtz, Ashlie N. Reker, Nicholas J. P. Ryba, Steve Davidson
Summary: Through single nuclear transcriptomics of human DRG neurons, it was found that different types of neurons share similarities in their transcriptomic features, but there are species differences in the expression of genes related to sensory function. Surprisingly, several transcriptomic classes without clear equivalents in other species were identified.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tomislav Kokotovic, Ewelina M. Lenartowicz, Michiel Langeslag, Cosmin Ciotu, Christopher W. Fell, Angelica Scaramuzza, Michael J. M. Fischer, Michaela Kress, Josef M. Penninger, Vanja Nagy
Summary: MEOX2 is an important transcription factor involved in the differentiation of mesoderm and plays a role in the development of various tissues. This study demonstrates the significance of MEOX2 in the mammalian peripheral nervous system, particularly in nociception. MEOX2 regulates the expression of Na(v)1.7 and Na(v)1.9 voltage-gated sodium channels, which are essential for action potential initiation in nociceptors. Additionally, MEOX2 is involved in maintaining the transcriptional program associated with pain perception.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Lawrence M. Carey, Zhili Xu, Gabriela Rajic, Alexandros Makriyannis, Julian Romero, Cecilia Hillard, Ken Mackie, Andrea G. Hohmann
Summary: This study suggests that CB2 activation may alleviate HIV-associated antiretroviral neuropathy and identifies a previously unreported mechanism through which CB2 activation produces antinociceptive efficacy. The study also demonstrates that a CB2 agonist can reverse established morphine tolerance and shows that CB2 localized to peripheral sensory neurons mediates the opioid tolerance sparing efficacy of CB2 agonists.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Pradipta R. Ray, Stephanie Shiers, James P. Caruso, Diana Tavares-Ferreira, Ishwarya Sankaranarayanan, Megan L. Uhelski, Yan Li, Robert Y. North, Claudio Tatsui, Gregory Dussor, Michael D. Burton, Patrick M. Dougherty, Theodore J. Price
Summary: This study characterized the molecular changes in pain-associated human dorsal root ganglia in patients undergoing thoracic vertebrectomy, revealing sex differences in underlying mechanisms of neuropathic pain. The findings provide important insights for pain treatment.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Lin Yao, Tian-Yu Zhang, Xin-Tong Diao, Juan-Juan Ma, Hu-Hu Bai, Zhan-Wei Suo, Yan-Ni Liu, Xian Yang, Xiao-Dong Hu
Summary: The glycine receptor, consisting of α1 subunits, plays a crucial role in inhibitory neurotransmission and may serve as an effective target for pain therapy in the peripheral nervous system. Inflammation in the periphery can reduce the expression of glycine receptors on the plasma membrane of neurons. Glycine receptor agonists or positive modulators show promise in alleviating pain behaviors induced by inflammation.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yan Chen, Yuran Song, Huadong Wang, Yiyun Zhang, Xinyu Hu, Kaikai Wang, Yingjin Lu, Zoutao Zhang, Shuai Li, Anan Li, Lan Bao, Fuqiang Xu, Changlin Li, Xu Zhang
Summary: We reveal the organization of neural networks in a DRG neuron type-dependent manner for processing pain and itch.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Lei Yang, Beibei Liu, Shang Zheng, Longsheng Xu, Ming Yao
Summary: Bone cancer pain is a complex condition characterized by persistent, sudden, spontaneous pain accompanied by hyperalgesia. It is caused by bone metastases or primary bone tumors. The perception and transmission of pain signals involve peripheral nerves, spinal cord, and the brain. The mechanisms of bone cancer pain within the brain are not fully understood, but with advancements in brain science and technology, further research is being conducted.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Huijing Xie, Ju Li, Nan Lian, Min Xie, Minming Wu, Kuo Tang, Yi Kang, Peilin Lu, Tao Li
Summary: Impaired branched-chain amino acid catabolism in dorsal root ganglion neurons sensitizes mice to mechanical pain by increasing lactate production and expression of the mechanotransduction channel Piezo2.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Larissa de Clauser, Christin Kappert, Julia R. Sondermann, David Gomez-Varela, Sarah J. L. Flatters, Manuela Schmidt
Summary: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a debilitating side-effect of cancer therapies. This study used quantitative proteome profiling and network analysis to explore the mechanistic basis of CIPN in a rat model. The researchers identified a differential protein signature associated with the development and maintenance of CIPN. Validation in an independent rat cohort confirmed the increase of beta-catenin (CTNNB1) at the pre-CIPN stage, and analysis of protein networks associated with beta-catenin highlighted potential druggable targets. This study provides unprecedented insights into the molecular basis of CIPN and suggests new avenues for developing therapeutic options.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ana Campillo, Jennifer Daily, Iveth J. Gonzalez
Article
Anesthesiology
David Cabanero, Ana Campillo, Evelyne Celerier, Asuncion Romero, Margarita M. Puig
Article
Anesthesiology
Asuncion Romero, Santiago Rojas, David Cabanero, Juan D. Gispert, Jose R. Herance, Ana Campillo, Margarita M. Puig
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ana Campillo, David Cabanero, Asuncion Romero, Paula Garcia-Nogales, Margarita Maria Puig
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2011)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Asuncion Romero, Elizabeth Romero-Alejo, Nuno Vasconcelos, Margarita M. Puig
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2013)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Asuncion Romero, Laura Hernandez, Paula Garcia-Nogales, Margarita M. Puig
FUNDAMENTAL & CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2010)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Hugo F. Miranda, Maria Asuncion Romero, Margarita M. Puig
FUNDAMENTAL & CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2012)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ana Campillo, Ana Gonzalez-Cuello, David Cabanero, Paula Garcia-Nogales, Asuncion Romero, M. Victoria Milanes, M. Luisa Laorden, Margarita M. Puig
MOLECULAR PHARMACOLOGY
(2010)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Asuncion Romero, Hugo F. Miranda, Margarita M. Puig
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2010)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Asuncion Romero, Hugo F. Miranda, Margarita M. Puig
PHARMACOLOGY BIOCHEMISTRY AND BEHAVIOR
(2010)