Baicalein ameliorates chronic itch in ACD mice by suppressing the spinal astrocytic STAT3-LCN2 cascade.

Chronic itch is a maladaptive and debilitating symptom in patients with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), adversely affecting their quality of life. There is a lack of effective treatments for ACD-associated uncontrollable itch. In this study, we explored the antipruritic effects of baicalein (BE), a bioactive flavonoid extracted from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, and the underlying mechanisms in alleviating chronic itch triggered by diphenylcyclopropenone (DCP) in a mouse model of ACD. The ACD mice were intraperitoneally injected with BE (5, 30, and 60 mg·kg-1·d-1) for 7 days during the DCP challenge phase. The results showed that DCP-treated mice exhibited severe spontaneous scratching behaviors that was reduced after BE injections in a dose-dependent manner accompanied by inhibition of spinal astrocyte activation. We observed that the spinal astrocytic STAT3-LCN2 cascade plays a crucial role in controlling the activation of astrocytes in chronic itch. Intrathecal injection of the STAT3 inhibitor AG490 or Lcn2 siRNA significantly reduced scratching behavior and astrocyte activation in ACD mice. Moreover, BE markedly attenuated the increased phosphorylation of STAT3 (p-STAT3) and LCN2 expression in the spinal cords of ACD mice and in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated primary spinal astrocytes. Altogether, BE relieved chronic itch by suppressing the spinal astrocytic STAT3-LCN2 cascade. These findings provide a potential avenue for the management of chronic itch. Schematic summary of the main findings illustrating that BE alleviates chronic itch through suppressing the spinal astrocytic STAT3-LCN2 cascade. Specifically, BE suppresses the expression of p-STAT3 to inhibit the reactive state of astrocytes in spinal dorsal horn, and then decreases the expression of astrocytic LCN2 to alleviate chronic itch in ACD mice.

Antipruritic effects of geraniol on acute and chronic itch via modulating spinal GABA/GRPR signaling.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Itch (pruritus) is a common unpleasant feeling, often accompanied by the urge of scratching the skin. It is the main symptom of many systemic and skin diseases, which can seriously affect the patient's quality of life. Geraniol (GE; trans-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1-ol) is a natural monoterpene with diverse effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-nociceptive, and anticancer properties. The study aims to examine the effects of GE on acute and chronic itch, and explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Acute itch was investigated by using Chloroquine and compound 48/80 induced model, followed by manifestation of diphenylcyclopropenone (DCP)-induced allergic contact dermatitis and the acetone-ether-water (AEW)-induced dry skin model in mice. The scratching behavior, skin thickness, c-Fos expression, and GRPR protein expression in the spinal cord were subsequently monitored and evaluated by behavioral tests as well as pharmacological and pharmacogenetic technologies. RESULTS: Dose-dependent intraperitoneal injection of GE alleviated the acute itch, induced by chloroquine and compound 48/80, as well as increased the spinal c-Fos expression. Intrathecal administration of GE suppressed the GABAA receptor inhibitor bicuculline-induced itch, GRP-induced itch, and the GABAergic neuron inhibition-induced itch. Furthermore, the subeffective dose of bicuculline blocked the anti-pruritic effect of GE on the chloroquine and compound 48/80 induced acute itch. GE also attenuated DCP and AEW-induced chronic itch, as well as the increase of spinal GRPR expression in DCP mice. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: GE alleviates both acute and chronic itch via modulating the spinal GABA/GRPR signaling in mice. Findings of this study reveal that GE may provide promising therapeutic options for itch management. Also, considering the pivotal role of essential oils in aromatherapy, GE has great application potential in aromatherapy for treating skin diseases, and especially the skin with severe pruritus.

Cytokines and Chemokines Modulation of Itch.

Itch (pruritus) is a common cutaneous symptom widely associated with many skin complaints, and chronic itch can be a severe clinical problem. The onset and perpetuation of itch are linked to cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-31, IL-4, IL-13, IL-33, thymic stromal lymphopoietin, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and chemokines, such as chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10. This review highlights research that has attempted to determine the attributes of various cytokines and chemokines concerning the development and modulation of itch. Through such research, clinical approaches targeting cytokines and/or chemokines may arise, which may further the development of itch therapeutics.

Geraniol enhances inhibitory inputs to the paraventricular thalamic nucleus and induces sedation in mice.

BACKGROUND: Plant extracts with sedative effects have a long history of clinical use for treating insomnia and epilepsy. Geraniol (GE), a plant-derived acyclic monoterpene, reduces locomotion and prolongs barbiturate-induced anesthesia in rats. However, the mechanisms of GE in sedation remain elusive. PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms of GE in sedation in mice. METHODS: GE was administered systemically by nebulization and intraperitoneal injection. Open field tests, acute seizure tests, and electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings were performed to examine the sedative effects of GE in mice. The time of loss of the righting reflex and return of the righting reflex were recorded in anesthesia experiments to examine the effect of GE on anesthesia. In vitro c-Fos staining and in vivo fiber photometry recordings were performed to detect the activity change of the paraventricular thalamic nucleus (PVT). Microinjection of GE into PVT and related behavioral tests were performed to confirm that PVT was a critical target for GE. Whole-cell recordings were performed to dissect the effects of GE on PVT neurons via GABAA receptors. Molecular docking was performed to examine the interaction between GE and GABAA receptor subunits. RESULTS: We found that GE reduced locomotion, relieved acute seizures, altered the EEG, and facilitated general anesthesia in mice. Next, we found that GE decreased c-Fos expression and suppressed the calcium activity in PVT. Microinjection of GE into PVT reduced locomotion and facilitated anesthesia. Furthermore, electrophysiology results showed that GE induced dramatic membrane hyperpolarization and suppressed the activity of PVT neurons, mainly by prolonging spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents and inducing tonic inhibitory currents. Molecular docking results indicated that the ß3 subunit might be a potential target for GE. CONCLUSION: By combined using behavioral tests, immunohistochemistry, calcium recording, and electrophysiology, we systematically revealed that GE inhibits PVT and induces sedation in mice. Essential oils have long been considered part of traditional medicine, and they are playing a critical role in aromatherapy. Since GE has a comparatively ideal safety property and multiple delivery methods, GE has great application potential in aromatherapy. Our study also provides a potential candidate for further development of sedatives and anaesthetics.

Glial IL-33 signaling through an ST2-to-CXCL12 pathway in the spinal cord contributes to morphine-induced hyperalgesia and tolerance.

Morphine and other opiates are highly effective for treating moderate to severe pain. However, morphine-induced hyperalgesia and analgesic tolerance prevent durable efficacy in patients. Here, we investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon. We found that repeated subcutaneous injections of morphine in mice increased the abundance of the cytokine interleukin-33 (IL-33) primarily in oligodendrocytes and astrocytes and that of its receptor ST2 mainly in astrocytes. Pharmacological inhibition or knockdown of IL-33 or ST2 in the spinal cord attenuated morphine-induced hyperalgesia and analgesic tolerance in mice, as did global knockout of either Il33 or St2, which also reduced morphine-enhanced astroglial activation and excitatory synaptic transmission. Furthermore, a pathway mediated by tumor necrosis factor receptor­associated factor 6 (TRAF6) and the kinase JNK in astrocytes was required for IL-33­mediated hyperalgesia and tolerance through promoting the production of the chemokine CXCL12 in the spinal cord. The findings suggest that targeting IL-33­ST2 signaling could enable opioids to produce sustained analgesic effects in chronic pain management.

Effects of anthracnose on C, N and P stoichiometry in the shoot of forage oat in north Shanxi Province, China.

The C, N and P stoichiometry are helpful to understand the capacity of carbon assimilation and nutrient utilization efficiency during plant growth, as well as to diagnose nutrient limitation status. There is still a knowledge gap about the effects of disease on plant stoichiometry. In this study, forage oats (Avena sativa) suffering from anthracnose were the object of research conducted in north Shanxi Province. The C, N and P stoichiometry in the shoot of oat were examined at different degrees of disease occurrence. We analyzed the relationship of plant stoichiometry with disease duration, cultivar, and cultivation methods. The results showed that C, N and P contents decreased with the increasing degree of disease occurrence. The C, N and P contents in the plants with serious disease were significantly lower than that of healthy plants with a decreasing rate of 5.4%, 20.0% and 24.2%, respectively. C:N and C:P showed an increasing trend with the increases of the degree of disease occurrence. C:N and C:P of the plants with serious disease were significantly increased by 18.5% and 22.2%, respectively, than that of healthy plants. There was no significant difference for C content among different sampling sites, which indicated that the three varieties of forage oats might have disease tolerance capacity to ensure crop production. However, the stoichiometric values of N and P varied from place to place. The longer the disease duration was, the more reduction of N and P contents. Compared with monoculture oats, the P utilization efficiency of mixture oats was decreased by anthracnose. In summary, anthracnose had negative impacts on carbon assimilation capacity of forage oats in northern Shanxi. Anthracnose increased the restriction of N and P nutrition on the aboveground parts. However, anthracnose significantly improved N and P utilization efficiency. For the production practice, it was recommended to take necessary control measures to reduce the adverse effects of diseases on the economic benefits and ecological functions of forage oats.

Calcium Channel α2δ1 Subunit Mediates Secondary Orofacial Hyperalgesia Through PKC-TRPA1/Gap Junction Signaling.

Orofacial pain is characterized by its easy spread to adjacent areas, thus presenting with primary hyperalgesia (hypersensitivity at the site of injury) and secondary hyperalgesia (extraterritorial hypersensitivity outside the injured zone). However, the mechanisms behind the secondary hyperalgesia are poorly understood. In the present study, we used a mouse model of partial transection of the infraorbital nerve (pT-ION) to study whether calcium channel subunit α2δ1 (Cavα2δ1) and its downstream signaling contributes to the development of secondary hyperalgesia in the orofacial area. pT-ION caused primary (V2 skin) and secondary (V3 skin) hyperalgesia, which was reversed by the Cavα2δ1 antagonist gabapentin and by the expression of Cavα2δ1-targeting interfering RNA in trigeminal ganglion (TG)-V3 neurons. pT-ION induced increased expression of PKC and TRPA1, which was reversed by Cavα2δ1-targeting interfering RNA, and PKC inhibition reversed the upregulation of TRPA1 and gap junction (GJ) proteins induced by pT-ION. Cavα2δ1 overexpression in TG-V2 neurons induced the upregulation of PKC, TRPA1, and the GJ proteins in the TG and trigeminal subnucleus caudalis and induced hypersensitivity in the V3 skin area, which was reversed by TRPA1, GJ, or PKC blockade. Thus, we conclude that Cavα2δ1 contributes to the development of secondary hyperalgesia through its downstream PKC-TRPA1/GJ signaling pathways. PERSPECTIVE: This study demonstrates that the activation of Cavα2δ1 and the downstream PKC-TRPA1/GJ signaling pathway contributes greatly to trigeminal nerve injury-induced secondary mechanical and cold hyperalgesia. This suggests that inhibitors of Cavα2δ1, TRPA1, or GJs might be effective treatments for nerve injury-induced spreading of orofacial pain.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A Signaling Promotes Spinal Central Sensitization and Pain-related Behaviors in Female Rats with Bone Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Cancer pain is a pervasive clinical symptom impairing life quality. Vascular endothelial growth factor A has been well studied in tumor angiogenesis and is recognized as a therapeutic target for anti-cancer treatment. This study tested the hypothesis that vascular endothelial growth factor A and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 contribute to bone cancer pain regulation associated with spinal central sensitization. METHODS: This study was performed on female rats using a metastatic breast cancer bone pain model. Nociceptive behaviors were evaluated by mechanical allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia, spontaneous pain, and CatWalk gait analysis. Expression levels were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blot, and immunofluorescence analysis. Excitatory synaptic transmission was detected by whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. The primary outcome was the effect of pharmacologic intervention of spinal vascular endothelial growth factor A/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2-signaling on bone cancer pain behaviors. RESULTS: The mRNA and protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 were upregulated in tumor-bearing rats. Spinal blocking vascular endothelial growth factor A or vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 significantly attenuated tumor-induced mechanical allodynia (mean ± SD: vascular endothelial growth factor A, 7.6 ± 2.6 g vs. 5.3 ± 3.3 g; vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, 7.8 ± 3.0 g vs. 5.2 ± 3.4 g; n = 6; P < 0.0001) and thermal hyperalgesia (mean ± SD: vascular endothelial growth factor A, 9.0 ± 2.4 s vs. 7.4 ± 2.7 s; vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, 9.3 ± 2.5 s vs. 7.5 ± 3.1 s; n = 6; P < 0.0001), as well as spontaneous pain and abnormal gaits. Exogenous vascular endothelial growth factor A enhanced excitatory synaptic transmission in a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2-dependent manner, and spinal injection of exogenous vascular endothelial growth factor A was sufficient to cause pain hypersensitivity via vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2-mediated activation of protein kinase C and Src family kinase in naïve rats. Moreover, spinal blocking vascular endothelial growth factor A/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 pathways suppressed protein kinase C-mediated N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation and Src family kinase-mediated proinflammatory cytokine production. CONCLUSIONS: Vascular endothelial growth factor A/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 contributes to central sensitization and bone cancer pain via activation of neuronal protein kinase C and microglial Src family kinase pathways in the spinal cord.

Spinal Serotonin 1A Receptor Contributes to the Analgesia of Acupoint Catgut Embedding by Inhibiting Phosphorylation of the N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor GluN1 Subunit in Complete Freund's Adjuvant-Induced Inflammatory Pain in Rats.

Acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine method to manage various diseases, including chronic inflammatory pain. We sought to assess the possible analgesic effects of ACE in comparison with electroacupuncture (EA) and to study the analgesic mechanisms of ACE in a rat model of inflammatory pain induced by injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into the hind paw of rats. The von Frey, radiant heat, and gait analysis tests were performed to evaluate the analgesic effects of ACE and EA, and Western blot and immunohistochemistry assays were carried out to determine the molecular mechanisms of ACE. ACE treatments were administered every 4 days or every week with different acupoints (ipsilateral, contralateral, or bilateral ST36 and GB30 acupoints). The most effective ACE strategy for attenuating the nocifensive response induced by CFA injection was performing ACE once a week at ipsilateral ST36 in combination with GB30. EA treatment every other day at ipsilateral ST36 and GB30 showed comparable analgesic effects. ACE inhibited the increased activation of the GluN1 subunit of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor and the subsequent Ca2+-dependent signals (CaMKII, ERK, and CREB) that take place in response to CFA. The effects of ACE were similar to intrathecal injection of vilazodone (a serotonin 1A receptor [5-HT1AR] agonist) and were blocked by WAY-100635 (a 5-HT1AR antagonist). In summary, we show that ACE attenuates CFA-induced inflammatory pain in rats by activating spinal 5-HT1AR and by inhibiting the phosphorylation of GluN1, thus, inhibiting the activation of Ca2+-dependent signaling cascades. PERSPECTIVE: This article presents the novel evidence concerning the spinal 5-HT1AR activation-related molecular signaling of ACE analgesia in a rat model of CFA-induced inflammatory pain. This work may help clinicians to verify the effectiveness of ACE analgesia and to better understand the underlying mechanism.

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) dependent microglial activation promotes cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy in mice.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common adverse side effect of many antineoplastic agents. Patients treated with chemotherapy often report pain and paresthesias in a "glove-and-stocking" distribution. Diverse mechanisms contribute to the development and maintenance of CIPN. However, the role of spinal microglia in CIPN is not completely understood. In this study, cisplatin-treated mice displayed persistent mechanical allodynia, sensory deficits and decreased density of intraepidermal nerve fibers (IENFs). In the spinal cord, activation of microglia, but not astrocyte, was persistently observed until week five after the first cisplatin injection. Additionally, mRNA levels of inflammation related molecules including IL-1ß, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and CD16, were increased after cisplatin treatment. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) or intrathecal (i.t.) injection with minocycline both alleviated cisplatin-induced mechanical allodynia and sensory deficits, and prevented IENFs loss. Furthermore, cisplatin enhanced triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) /DNAX-activating protein of 12 kDa (DAP12) signaling in the spinal cord microglia. The blockage of TREM2 by i.t. injecting anti-TREM2 neutralizing antibody significantly attenuated cisplatin-induced mechanical allodynia, sensory deficits and IENFs loss. Meanwhile, anti-TREM2 neutralizing antibody prominently suppressed the spinal IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS and CD16 mRNA level, but it dramatically up-regulated the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10. The data demonstrated that cisplatin triggered persistent activation of spinal cord microglia through strengthening TREM2/DAP12 signaling, which further resulted in CIPN. Functional blockage of TREM2 or inhibition of microglia both benefited for cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy. Microglial TREM2/DAP12 may serve as a potential target for CIPN intervention.

IL-33/ST2 Pathway as a Rational Therapeutic Target for CNS Diseases.

Interleukin (IL)-33 is a member of the interleukin-1 cytokine family that is produced by many different types of tissues including the central nervous system (CNS). IL-33 mediates its effects via its heterodimeric receptor complex, comprised of ST2 and the IL-1 receptor accessory protein (IL-1RAcp). As a pleiotropic nuclear cytokine, IL-33 is a crucial factor in the development of cardiovascular diseases, allergic diseases, infectious diseases, and autoimmune diseases. Recently, accumulated evidence shows that the IL-33/ST2 axis plays a crucial and diverse role in the pathogenesis of CNS diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, infectious diseases, traumatic CNS injury, chronic pain, etc. In this review, we discuss the recent findings in the cellular signaling of IL-33 and advancement of the role of IL-33 in several CNS diseases, as well as its therapeutic potential for the treatment of those diseases.

[COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib can suppress the proliferation of FLT3-ITD positive acute myeloid leukemia cells with prominent down regulation of MEK/MCL-1 expression in vitro].

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Celecoxib on the proliferation of the FLT3-ITD positive and negative acute myeloid leukemia cells and its mechanism. The proliferation inhibition effect of Celecoxib with different doses on the FLT3-ITD positive cells MV4-11 and the FLT3-ITD negative K562 cells was detected by CCK-8 method, the cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry, and the MEK, Mcl-1, pAKT expression was tested by Western blot. The results showed that Celecoxib inhibited the proliferation of both MV4-11 and K562 cells, but the IC50 for MV4-11 was (29.14 ± 2.4) µmol/L, which was significantly lower than that of K562 cells (39.84 ± 1.0) µmol/L (P < 0.05); The induced apoptosis rate of Celecoxib at 20-80 µmol/L on MV4-11 was not observed, but there was apparent influence on K562 at the same concentration. Western blot showed that Celecoxib down-regulated the expression of MEK and Mcl-1 but did not change the expression of pAKT obviously on MV4-11 cells, while the expression of Mcl-1 was reduced a little, but no obvious change were found in the expression of MEK and pAKT on K562 cells. It is concluded that the Celecoxib can inhibit the proliferation of FLT3-ITD positive AML cells distinctly, and the potential mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the MEK/Mcl-1 signaling pathway.