Dussor, Gregory

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10735.1/6033

Gregory Dussor joined the UTD faculty in 2014 as an Associate Professor of Neuroscience. He serves as a joint Principal Investigator with Dr. Ted Price of the Pain Neurobiology Research Group and is a member of the Center for Advanced Pain Studies. His research interests include:

Neurobiology of pain,
Migranes,
Neuropharmacology.

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Now showing 1 - 14 of 14

17-β-Estradiol Induces Spreading Depression and Pain Behavior in Alert Female Rats
(Impact Journals LLC) Sandweiss, Alexander J.; Cottier, Karissa E.; McIntosh, Mary I.; Dussor, Gregory; Davis, Thomas P.; Vanderah, Todd W.; Largent-Milnes, Tally M.; Dussor, Gregory
Aims: Test the putative contribution of 17-β-estradiol in the development of spreading depression (SD) events and head pain in awake, non-restrained rats. Main Methods: Female, Sprague-Dawley rats were intact or underwent ovariectomy followed one week later by surgery to place electrodes onto the dura to detect epidural electroencephalographic activity (dEEG). dEEG activity was recorded two days later for 12 hours after systemic administration of 17-β-estradiol (180 μg/kg, i.p.). A separate set of rats were observed for changes in exploratory, ambulatory, fine, and rearing behaviors; periorbital allodynia was also assessed. Key Findings: A bolus of 17-β-estradiol significantly elevated serum estrogen levels, increased SD episodes over a 12-hour recording period and decreased rearing behaviors in ovariectomized rats. Pre-administration of ICI 182,780, an estrogen receptor antagonist, blocked 17-β-estradiol-evoked SD events and pain behaviors; similar results were observed when the antimigraine therapeutic sumatriptan was used. Significance: These data indicate that an estrogen receptor-mediated mechanism contributes to SD events in ovariectomized rats and pain behaviors in both ovariectomized -and intact-rats. This suggests that estrogen plays a different role in each phenomenon of migraine where intense fluctuations in concentration may influence SD susceptibility. This is the first study to relate estrogen peaks to SD development and pain behaviors in awake, freely moving female rats, establishing a framework for future preclinical migraine studies.
Activation of the Integrated Stress Response in Nociceptors Drives Methylglyoxal-Induced Pain
(Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2019-01) Barragan-Iglesias, Paulino; Kuhn, Jasper; Vidal-Cantu, Guadalupe C.; Belen Salinas-Abarca, Ana; Granados-Soto, Vinicio; Dussor, Gregory; Campbell, Zachary T.; Price, Theodore J.; 0000-0002-3768-6996 (Campbell, ZT); 0000-0002-6971-6221 (Price, TJ); Dussor, Gregory; Campbell, Zachary T.; Price, Theodore J.
Methylglyoxal (MGO) is a reactive glycolytic metabolite associated with painful diabetic neuropathy at plasma concentrations between 500 nM and 5 μM. The mechanisms through which MGO causes neuropathic pain at these pathological concentrations are not known. Because MGO has been linked to diabetic neuropathic pain, which is prevalent and poorly treated, insight into this unsolved biomedical problem could lead to much needed therapeutics. Our experiments provide compelling evidence that ~ 1-μM concentrations of MGO activate the integrated stress response (ISR) in IB4-positive nociceptors in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of mice in vivo and in vitro. Blocking the integrated stress response with a specific inhibitor (ISRIB) strongly attenuates and reverses MGO-evoked pain. Moreover, ISRIB reduces neuropathic pain induced by diabetes in both mice and rats. Our work elucidates the mechanism of action of MGO in the production of pain at pathophysiologically relevant concentrations and suggests a new pharmacological avenue for the treatment of diabetic and other types of MGO-driven neuropathic pain.
Dural Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Produces Female-Specific Responses in Rodent Migraine Models
(Society for Neuroscience, 2019-05-29) Avona, Amanda; Burgos-Vega, Carolina; Burton, Michael D.; Akopian, A. N.; Price, Theodore J.; Dussor, Gregory; 0000-0002-6971-6221 (Price, TJ); 0000-0002-0628-824X (Burton, MD); Avona, Amanda; Burgos-Vega, Carolina; Burton, Michael D.; Price, Theodore J.; Dussor, Gregory
Migraine is the second leading cause for disability worldwide and the most common neurological disorder. It is also three times more common in women; reasons for this sex difference are not known. Using preclinical behavioral models of migraine, we show that application of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) to the rat dura mater produces cutaneous periorbital hypersensitivity. Surprisingly, this response was observed only in females; dural CGRP at doses from 1 pg to 3.8 μg produce no responses in males. In females, dural CGRP causes priming to a pH 7.0 solution after animals recover from the initial CGRP-induced allodynia. Dural application of interleukin-6 causes acute responses in males and females but only causes priming to subthreshold dural CGRP (0.1 pg) in females. Intracisternal application of BDNF also causes similar acute hypersensitivity responses in males and females but only priming to subthreshold dural CGRP (0.1 pg) in females. Females were additionally primed to a subthreshold dose of the NO-donor sodium nitroprusside (0.1 mg/kg) following dural CGRP. Finally, the sexually dimorphic responses to dural CGRP were not specific to rats as similar female-specific hypersensitivity responses were seen in mice, where increased grimace responses were also observed. These data are the first to demonstrate that CGRP-induced headache-like behavioral responses at doses up to 3.8 μg are female-specific both acutely and following central and peripheral priming. These data further implicate dural CGRP signaling in the pathophysiology of migraine and propose a model where dural CGRP-based mechanisms contribute to the sexual disparity of this female-biased disorder.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) has long been implicated in the pathophysiology of migraine, and CGRP-based therapeutics are efficacious for the treatment of migraine in humans. However, the location of action for CGRP in migraine remains unclear. We show here that application of CGRP to the cranial meninges causes behavioral responses consistent with headache in preclinical rodent models. Surprisingly, however, these responses are only observed in females. Acute responses to meningeal CGRP are female-specific and sensitization to CGRP after two distinct stimuli are also female-specific. These data implicate the dura mater as a primary location of action for CGRP in migraine and suggest that female-specific mechanisms downstream of CGRP receptor activation contribute to the higher prevalence of migraine in women. Copyright © 2019 the authors.
Emerging Neurotechnology for Antinoceptive Mechanisms and Therapeutics Discovery
(Elsevier Advanced Technology, 2018-11-13) Black, Bryan J.; Atmaramani, Rahul; Plagens, Sarah; Campbell, Zachary T.; Dussor, Gregory; Price, Theodore J.; Pancrazio, Joseph J.; 0000-0002-3768-6996 (Campbell, ZT); 0000-0002-6971-6221 (Price, TJ); 0000-0001-8276-3690 (Pancrazio, JJ); Black, Bryan J.; Atmaramani, Rahul; Plagens, Sarah; Campbell, Zachary T.; Dussor, Gregory; Price, Theodore J.; Pancrazio, Joseph J.
The tolerance, abuse, and potential exacerbation associated with classical chronic pain medications such as opioids creates a need for alternative therapeutics. Phenotypic screening provides a complementary approach to traditional target-based drug discovery. Profiling cellular phenotypes enables quantification of physiologically relevant traits central to a disease pathology without prior identification of a specific drug target. For complex disorders such as chronic pain, which likely involves many molecular targets, this approach may identify novel treatments. Sensory neurons, termed nociceptors, are derived from dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and can undergo changes in membrane excitability during chronic pain. In this review, we describe phenotypic screening paradigms that make use of nociceptor electrophysiology. The purpose of this paper is to review the bioelectrical behavior of DRG neurons, signaling complexity in sensory neurons, various sensory neuron models, assays for bioelectrical behavior, and emerging efforts to leverage microfabrication and microfluidics for assay development. We discuss limitations and advantages of these various approaches and offer perspectives on opportunities for future development.
Haptic Stroke Testbed for Pharmacological Evaluation of Dynamic Allodynia in Mouse Models
(IEEE Computer Society) Lee, Jin; Atwood, Brian J.; Megat, Salim; Dussor, Gregory; Price, Theodore J.; Fey, Ann Majewicz; Lee, Jin; Atwood, Brian J.; Megat, Salim; Dussor, Gregory; Price, Theodore J.; Fey, Ann Majewicz
Dynamic mechanical allodynia is an aggravating neuropathological condition in which light, physical touch leads to pain. Developing pharmaceutical agents to treat this condition requires extensive animal trials using a mouse model, and a laborious process of manually stroking inflicted mouse paws, with a brush or cotton swab, while recording responses to that stimulus. In this paper, we developed an autonomous testing mechanism to create repeatable stroking sensations for mice during dynamic allodynia testing. The chamber consists of a belt driven brush mechanism and light and dark chambers. Additionally, we conducted a human subjects study to determine the baseline variability in human-performed dynamic allodynia testing. Our tactile stoke display is capable of stroking a mouse paw between 1-5 mm/s with a repeatable force. In our human subject experiments, the user applied force ranged from 0.1-9.0 gF with a maximum standard deviation of 4.13 gF. In contrast, our device is capable of producing repeatable brush strokes at 0.69 gF (SD = 0.13 gF) and 1.78 gF (SD = 0.16 gF) for two brushes. Preliminary animal studies show that normal mice are not disturbed by the stroking sensation; however, mice afflicted with allodynia move away from it. On average the injured mice spent 90% of their time in a bright, adverse environment to avoid the brush, whereas normal mice only spent 40% of their time in the bright environment.
The MNK–eIF4E Signaling Axis Contributes to Injury-Induced Nociceptive Plasticity and the Development of Chronic Pain
(Society for Neuroscience) Moy, Jamie K.; Khoutorsky, A.; Black, Brian J.; Kuhn, Jasper L.; Barragán-Iglesias, Paulino; Megat, Salim; Burton, Michael D.; Burgos-Vega, Carolina C.; Melemedjian, O. K.; Boitano, S.; Vagner, J.; Gkogkas, C. G.; Pancrazio, Joseph J.; Mogil, J. S.; Dussor, Gregory; Sonenberg, N.; Price, Theodore J.; 0000 0001 3721 4764 (Dussor, G); 0000-0001-8579-5540 (Moy, JK); 0000-0001-8571-6486 (Black, B); 0000-0001-6524-9411 (Kuhn JL); 0000-0003-3178-8606 (Barragán-Iglesias, P); 0000-0002-6971-6221 (Price, TJ); Moy, Jamie K.; Asiedu, Marina N.; Black, Brian J.; Kuhn, Jasper L.; Barragán-Iglesias, Paulino; Megat, Salim; Burton, Michael D.; Burgos-Vega, Carolina C.; Pancrazio, Joseph J.; Dussor, Gregory; Price, Theodore J.
Injury-induced sensitization of nociceptors contributes to pain states and the development of chronic pain. Inhibiting activity-dependent mRNA translation through mechanistic target of rapamycin and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways blocks the development of nociceptor sensitization. These pathways convergently signal to the eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF) 4F complex to regulate the sensitization of nociceptors, but the details of this process are ill defined. Here we investigated the hypothesis that phosphorylation of the 5β cap-binding protein eIF4E by its specific kinase MAPK interacting kinases (MNKs) 1/2 is a key factor in nociceptor sensitization and the development of chronic pain. Phosphorylation of ser209 on eIF4E regulates the translation of a subset of mRNAs. We show that pronociceptive and inflammatory factors, such as nerve growth factor (NGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and carrageenan, produce decreased mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity, decreased affective pain behaviors, and strongly reduced hyperalgesic priming in mice lacking eIF4E phosphorylation (eIF4ES209A). Tests were done in both sexes, and no sex differences were found. Moreover, in patch-clamp electrophysiology and Ca2+ imaging experiments on dorsal root ganglion neurons, NGF- and IL-6-induced increases in excitability were attenuated in neurons from eIF4ES209A mice. These effects were recapitulated in Mnk1/2-/- mice and with the MNK1/2 inhibitor cercosporamide. We also find that cold hypersensitivity induced by peripheral nerve injury is reduced in eIF4ES209A and Mnk1/2-/- mice and following cercosporamide treatment. Our findings demonstrate that the MNK1/2–eIF4E signaling axis is an important contributing factor to mechanisms of nociceptor plasticity and the development of chronic pain.
Nociceptor Translational Profiling Reveals the Ragulator-Rag GTPase Complex as a Critical Generator of Neuropathic Pain
(Soc Neuroscience, 2019-01-16) Megat, Salim; Ray, Pradipta R.; Moy, Jamie K.; Lou, Tzu-Fang; Barragan-Iglesias, Paulino; Li, Yan; Pradhan, Grishma; Wanghzou, Andi; Ahmad, Ayesha; Burton, Michael D.; North, Robert Y.; Dougherty, Patrick M.; Khoutorsky, Arkady; Sonenberg, Nahum; Webster, Nevin R.; Dussor, Gregory; Campbell, Zachary T.; Price, Theodore J.; 0000-0003-4281-3985 (Pradhan, G); 0000-0002-0628-824X (Burton, MD); 0000-0002-3768-6996 (Campbell, ZT); 0000-0002-6971-6221 (Price, TJ); Megat, Salim; Ray, Pradipta R.; Moy, Jamie K.; Lou, Tzu-Fang; Barragan-Iglesias, Paulino; Pradhan, Grishma; Wanghzou, Andi; Ahmad, Ayesha; Burton, Michael D.; Dussor, Gregory; Campbell, Zachary T.; Price, Theodore J.
Nociceptors, sensory neurons in the DRG that detect damaging or potentially damaging stimuli, are key drivers of neuropathic pain. Injury to these neurons causes activation of translation regulation signaling, including the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and mitogen-activated protein kinase interacting kinase(MNK) eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4E pathways. This is a mechanism driving changes in excitability of nociceptors that is critical for the generation of chronic pain states; however, the mRNAs that are translated to lead to this plasticity have not been elucidated. To address this gap in knowledge, we used translating ribosome affinity purification in male and female mice to comprehensively characterize mRNA translation in Scn10a-positive nociceptors in chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain (CIPN) caused by paclitaxel treatment. This unbiased method creates a new resource for the field, confirms many findings in the CIPN literature and also find extensive evidence for new target mechanisms that may cause CIPN. We provide evidence that an underlying mechanism of CIPN is sustained mTORC1 activation driven by MNK1-eIF4E signaling. RagA, aGTPase controlling mTORC1 activity, is identified as a novel target of MNK1-eIF4E signaling. This demonstrates a novel translation regulation signaling circuit wherein MNK1-eIF4E activity drives mTORC1 via control of RagA translation. CIPN and RagA translation are strongly attenuated by genetic ablation of eIF4E phosphorylation, MNK1 elimination or treatment with the MNK inhibitor eFT508. We identify a novel translational circuit for the genesis of neuropathic pain caused by chemotherapy with important implications for therapeutics.
Non-Invasive Dural Stimulation in Mice: A Novel Preclinical Model of Migraine
(Sage Publications Ltd, 2018-05-31) Burgos-Vega, Carolina Christina; Quigley, Lilyana D.; dos Santos, Gabriela Trevisan; Yan, Flora; Asiedu, Marina; Jacobs, Blaine; Motina, Marina; Safdar, Nida; Yousuf, Hayyan; Avona, Amanda; Price, Theodore J.; Dussor, Greg; Burgos-Vega, Carolina Christina; Quigley, Lilyana D.; Yan, Flora; Asiedu, Marina; Jacobs, Blaine; Motina, Marina; Safdar, Nida; Yousuf, Hayyan; Avona, Amanda; Price, Theodore J.; Dussor, Greg
Background Migraine is characterized by a collection of neurological symptoms in the absence of injury or damage. However, several common preclinical migraine models require significant damage to the skull to stimulate the dura mater, the likely source of afferent signaling leading to head pain. The goal of this study was to determine whether dural stimulation can be performed in mice using an injection that does not cause injury or damage. Methods Using mice, injections of stimuli were administered to the dura mater through the soft tissue at the intersection between the lambdoidal and sagittal sutures. This technique did not require a permanent cannula nor did it cause damage to the skull or dura. Following injection of noxious stimuli, migraine-like behaviors were measured including cutaneous allodynia and facial grimace. The retrograde tracer fluorogold was applied onto the dura using the same injection technique to label trigeminal ganglion cell bodies, which were then testing in vitro using patch-clamp electrophysiology. Results Dural injection of allyl-isothiocyanate, low pH, interleukin-6, or inflammatory soup but not vehicles, led to cephalic/extracephalic allodynia. Facial grimace responses were also observed with allyl-isothiocyanate, pH 6.0, and interleukin-6. Stimulation with interleukin-6 causes priming to normally subthreshold pH 7.0 stimulation of the dura following resolution of the initial interleukin-6 behavior. Systemic injection of sumatriptan at the time of dural stimulation with inflammatory soup decreased the resulting cutaneous hypersensitivity. Trigeminal ganglion cell bodies retrogradely labeled from the dura had low pH-evoked currents similar to those generated by acid-sensing ion channels. Conclusion Non-invasive dural stimulation in mice can be used as a model of migraine in the absence of injury.
Protease Activated Receptor 2 (PAR2) Activation Causes Migraine-Like Pain Behaviors in Mice
(Sage Publications Ltd, 2018-05-31) Hassler, Shayne N.; Ahmad, Fatima B.; Burgos-Vega, Carolina C.; Boitano, Scott; Vagner, Josef; Price, Theodore J.; Dussor, Gregory; 0000-0002-6971-6221 (Price, TJ); Hassler, Shayne N.; Ahmad, Fatima B.; Burgos-Vega, Carolina C.; Price, Theodore J.; Dussor, Gregory
Background Pain is the most debilitating symptom of migraine. The cause of migraine pain likely requires activation of meningeal nociceptors. Mast cell degranulation, with subsequent meningeal nociceptor activation, has been implicated in migraine pathophysiology. Degranulating mast cells release serine proteases that can cleave and activate protease activated receptors. The purpose of these studies was to investigate whether protease activated receptor 2 is a potential generator of nociceptive input from the meninges by using selective pharmacological agents and knockout mice. Methods Ratiometric Ca⁺⁺ imaging was performed on primary trigeminal and dural cell cultures after application of 2at-LIGRL-NH₂, a specific protease activated receptor 2 agonist. Cutaneous hypersensitivity and facial grimace was measured in wild-type and protease activated receptor 2⁻ᐟ⁻ mice after dural application of 2at-LIGRL-NH₂ or compound 48-80, a mast cell degranulator. Behavioral experiments were also conducted in mice after dural application of 2at-LIGRL-NH₂ (2AT) in the presence of either C391, a selective protease activated receptor 2 antagonist, or sumatriptan. Results 2at-LIGRL-NH₂ evoked Ca²⁺ signaling in mouse trigeminal neurons, dural fibroblasts and in meningeal afferents. Dural application of 2at-LIGRL-NH₂ or 48-80 caused dose-dependent grimace behavior and mechanical allodynia that were attenuated by either local or systemic application of C391 as well as in protease activated receptor 2⁻ᐟ⁻ mice. Nociceptive behavior after dural injection of 2at-LIGRL-NH₂ was also attenuated by sumatriptan. Conclusions Functional protease activated receptor 2 receptors are expressed on both dural afferents and fibroblasts and activation of dural protease activated receptor 2 produces migraine-like behavioral responses. Protease activated receptor 2 may link resident immune cells to meningeal nociceptor activation, driving migraine-like pain and implicating protease activated receptor 2 as a therapeutic target for migraine in humans.
Sex Differences in the Expression of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Receptor Components in the Spinal Trigeminal Nucleus
(Elsevier B.V., 2019-04-24) Ji, Y.; Rizk, A.; Voulalas, P.; Aljohani, H.; Akerman, S.; Dussor, Gregory; Keller, A.; Masri, R.; Dussor, Gregory
Background and purpose: Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) plays an important role in migraine pathophysiology. CGRP acts primarily by activating a receptor composed of 3 proteins: calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR), receptor activity-modifying protein 1 (RAMP1), and receptor component protein (RCP). We tested the hypothesis that sex differences exist in protein levels of two key components of this CGRP receptor: CLR and RCP. Methods: We used specific antibodies to assess baseline protein levels of CLR and RCP in the spinal trigeminal nucleus caudalis (SpVc) and upper cervical spinal cord of both male and female rats. We also tested if manipulations that knock-down the expression of RCP in SpVc, using locally-mediated gene transfer of short hairpin RNA (shRNA), ameliorate pain in an animal model of intracranial migraine-like pain induced by chemical noxious stimulation of the meninges. To assess pain, we used tests of ongoing pain (rat face grimace test and freezing behavior)and tests of facial mechanical hypersensitivity and allodynia. Results: There was no difference in CLR levels between male and female animals (p > 0.11) in SpVc and the upper cervical cord. However, female animals exhibited greater baseline levels of RCP (up to 3-fold higher) compared to males (p < 0.002). The knock-down of RCP expression in SpVc attenuated mechanical facial allodynia induced by chemical noxious stimulation of the meninges, but had little effect on ongoing pain behaviors in female and male animals. Conclusions: RCP is an integral component of the CGRP receptor and may play a key role in mediating CGRP induced central sensitization after noxious stimulation of the meninges. RCP expression in the SpVc and upper cervical cord is sexually dimorphic, with higher levels of expression in females. This dimorphism may be related to the increased incidence of migraines in females–a hypothesis that should be tested in the future. ©2019 The Authors
Spinal Inhibition of P2XR or p38 Signaling Disrupts Hyperalgesic Priming in Male, but not Female, Mice
(Elsevier Ltd) Paige, Candler; Maruthy, Gayathri B.; Mejia, Galo; Dussor, Gregory; Price, Theodore J.; 0000 0001 3721 4764 (Dussor, G); 0000-0002-6971-6221 (Price, TJ); Paige, Candler; Maruthy, Gayathri B.; Mejia, Galo; Dussor, Gregory; Price, Theodore J.
Recent studies have demonstrated sexual dimorphisms in the mechanisms contributing to the development of chronic pain. Here we tested the hypothesis that microglia might preferentially regulate hyperalgesic priming in male mice. We based this hypothesis on evidence that microglia preferentially contribute to neuropathic pain in male mice via ionotropic purinergic receptor (P2XR) or p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38) signaling. Mice given a single-priming injection of the soluble human interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6r) and then a second injection of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which unmasks hyperalgesic priming, shows a significant increase in levels of activated microglia at 3 h following the PGE2 injection in both male and female mice. There was no change in microglia following PGE2. Intrathecal injection of the P2X3/4 inhibitor TNP-ATP blocked the initial response to IL-6r in both males and females, but only blocked hyperalgesic priming in male mice. Intrathecally applied p38 inhibitor, skepinone, had no effect on the initial response to IL-6r but attenuated hyperalgesic priming in males only. Neither TNP-ATP nor skepinone could reverse priming once it had already been established in male mice suggesting that these pathways must be inhibited early in the development of hyperalgesic priming to have an effect. Our work is consistent with previous findings that P2XR and p38 inhibition can lead to male-specific effects on pain behaviors in mice. However, given that we did not observe microglial activation at time points where these drugs were effective, our work also questions whether these effects can be completely attributed to microglia. © 2018 IBRO
Targeted Acid-Sensing Ion Channel Therapies for Migraine
(Springer) Karsan, Nazia; Gonzales, Eric B.; Dussor, Gregory; 0000 0001 3721 4764 (Dussor, G); Dussor, Gregory
Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are a family of ion channels, consisting of four members; ASIC1 to 4. These channels are sensitive to changes in pH and are expressed throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems-including brain, spinal cord, and sensory ganglia. They have been implicated in a number of neurological conditions such as stroke and cerebral ischemia, traumatic brain injury, and epilepsy, and more recently in migraine. Their expression within areas of interest in the brain in migraine, such as the hypothalamus and PAG, their demonstrated involvement in preclinical models of meningeal afferent signaling, and their role in cortical spreading depression (the electrophysiological correlate of migraine aura), has enhanced research interest into these channels as potential therapeutic targets in migraine. Migraine is a disorder with a paucity of both acute and preventive therapies available, in which at best 50% of patients respond to available medications, and these medications often have intolerable side effects. There is therefore a great need for therapeutic development for this disabling condition. This review will summarize the understanding of the structure and CNS expression of ASICs, the mechanisms for their potential role in nociception, recent work in migraine, and areas for future research and drug development.
The Antidiabetic Drug Metformin Prevents and Reverses Neuropathic Pain and Spinal Cord Microglial Activation in Male but not Female Mice
(Academic Press Ltd- Elsevier Science Ltd, 2018-11-01) Inyang, Kufreobong E.; Szabo-Pardi, Thomas; Wentworth, Emma; McDougal, Timothy A.; Dussor, Gregory; Burton, Michael D.; Price, Theodore J.; 0000-0002-6971-6221 (Price, TJ); Dussor, Gregory; Price, Theodore J.; Inyang, Kufreobong E.; Szabo-Pardi, Thomas; Wentworth, Emma; McDougal, Timothy A.
Metformin is a widely prescribed drug used in the treatment of type II diabetes. While the drug has many mechanisms of action, most of these converge on AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK), which metformin activates. AMPK is a multifunctional kinase that is a negative regulator of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. Activation of AMPK decreases the excitability of dorsal root ganglion neurons and AMPK activators are effective in reducing chronic pain in inflammatory, post-surgical and neuropathic rodent models. We have previously shown that metformin leads to an enduring resolution of neuropathic pain in the spared nerve injury (SNI) model in male mice and rats. The precise mechanism underlying this long-lasting effect is not known. We conducted experiments to investigate the effects of metformin on SNI-induced microglial activation, a process implicated in the maintenance of neuropathic pain that has recently been shown to be sexually dimorphic. We find that metformin is effective at inhibiting development of neuropathic pain when treatment is given around the time of injury and that metformin is likewise effective at reversing neuropathic mechanical hypersensitivity when treatment is initiation weeks after injury. This effect is linked to decreased Iba-1 staining in the dorsal horn, a marker of microglial activation. Importantly, these positive behavioral and microglia effects of metformin were only observed in male mice. We conclude that the neuropathic pain modifying effects of metformin are sex-specific supporting a differential role for microglial activation in male and female mice.
Transcriptome Analysis of the Human Tibial Nerve Identifies Sexually Dimorphic Expression of Genes Involved in Pain, Inflammation, and Neuro-Immunity
(Frontiers Media S.A.) Ray, Pradipta R.; Khan, Jawad; Wangzhou, Andi; Tavares-Ferreira, Diana; Akopian, A. N.; Dussor, Gregory; Price, Theodore J.; Ray, Pradipta R.; Khan, Jawad; Wangzhou, Andi; Tavares-Ferreira, Diana; Dussor, Gregory; Price, Theodore J.
Sex differences in gene expression are important contributors to normal physiology and mechanisms of disease. This is increasingly apparent in understanding and potentially treating chronic pain where molecular mechanisms driving sex differences in neuronal plasticity are giving new insight into why certain chronic pain disorders preferentially affect women vs. men. Large transcriptomic resources are now available and can be used to mine for sex differences to gather insight from molecular profiles using donor cohorts. We performed in-depth analysis of 248 human tibial nerve (hTN) transcriptomes from the GTEx Consortium project to gain insight into sex-dependent gene expression in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). We discover 149 genes with sex differential gene expression. Many of the more abundant genes in men are associated with inflammation and appear to be primarily expressed by glia or immune cells, with some genes downstream of Notch signaling. In women, we find the differentially expressed transcription factor SP4 that is known to drive a regulatory program, and may impact sex differences in PNS physiology. Many of these 149 differentially expressed (DE) genes have some previous association with chronic pain but few of them have been explored thoroughly. Additionally, using clinical data in the GTEx database, we identify a subset of DE, sexually dimorphic genes in diseases associated with chronic pain: arthritis and Type II diabetes. Our work creates a unique resource that identifies sexually dimorphic gene expression in the human PNS with implications for discovery of sex-specific pain mechanisms. © 2019 Ray, Khan, Wangzhou, Tavares-Ferreira, Akopian, Dussor and Price.

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