Dermal macrophages set pain sensitivity by modulating the amount of tissue NGF through an SNX25-Nrf2 pathway.

Cross-talk between peripheral neurons and immune cells is important in pain sensation. We identified Snx25 as a pain-modulating gene in a transgenic mouse line with reduced pain sensitivity. Conditional deletion of Snx25 in monocytes and macrophages, but not in peripheral sensory neurons, in mice (Snx25cKO mice) reduced pain responses in both normal and neuropathic conditions. Bone marrow transplantation using Snx25cKO and wild-type mice indicated that macrophages modulated pain sensitivity. Expression of sorting nexin (SNX)25 in dermal macrophages enhanced expression of the neurotrophic factor NGF through the inhibition of ubiquitin-mediated degradation of Nrf2, a transcription factor that activates transcription of Ngf. As such, dermal macrophages set the threshold for pain sensitivity through the production and secretion of NGF into the dermis, and they may cooperate with dorsal root ganglion macrophages in pain perception.

Acid-sensing ion channels drive the generation of tactile impulses in Merkel cell-neurite complexes of the glabrous skin of rodent hindpaws.

Merkel cell-neurite complexes (MNCs) are enriched in touch-sensitive areas, including whisker hair follicles and the glabrous skin of the rodent's paws, where tactile stimulation elicits slowly adapting type 1 (SA1) tactile impulses to encode for the sense of touch. Recently, we have shown with rodent whisker hair follicles that SA1 impulses are generated through fast excitatory synaptic transmission at MNCs and driven by acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs). However, it is currently unknown whether, besides whisker hair follicles, ASICs also play an essential role in generating SA1 impulses from MNCs of other body parts in mammals. In the present study, we attempted to address this question by using the skin-nerve preparations made from the hindpaw glabrous skin and tibial nerves of both male and female rodents and applying the pressure-clamped single-fiber recordings. We showed that SA1 impulses elicited by tactile stimulation to the rat hindpaw glabrous skin were largely diminished in the presence of amiloride and diminazene, two ASIC channel blockers. Furthermore, using the hindpaw glabrous skin and tibial nerve preparations made from the mice genetically deleted of ASIC3 channels (ASIC3-/-), we showed that the frequency of SA1 impulses was significantly lower in ASIC3-/- mice than in littermate wildtype ASIC3+/+ mice, a result consistent with the pharmacological experiments with ASIC channel blockers. Our findings suggest that ASIC channels are essential for generating SA1 impulses to underlie the sense of touch in the glabrous skin of rodent hindpaws.Significance Statement Merkel cell-neurite complexes (MNCs) are enriched in touch-sensitive areas, including whisker hair follicles and the glabrous skin of the rodent's paws, where tactile stimulation elicits slowly adapting type 1 (SA1) tactile impulses to encode for the sense of touch. Here, using the skin-nerve preparations made from the hindpaw glabrous skin and tibial nerves of rodents and applying the pressure-clamped single-fiber recordings, we have demonstrated that ASIC channels are essential for generating SA1 impulses at MNCs in the glabrous skin of rodent hindpaws. Thus, ASIC channels at MNCs may play a key role in the sense of touch to the skin of mammals.

Tmem45b is essential for inflammation- and tissue injury-induced mechanical pain hypersensitivity.

Persistent mechanical pain hypersensitivity associated with peripheral inflammation, surgery, trauma, and nerve injury impairs patients' quality of life and daily activity. However, the molecular mechanism and treatment are not yet fully understood. Herein, we show that chemical ablation of isolectin B4-binding (IB4+) afferents by IB4-saporin injection into sciatic nerves completely and selectively inhibited inflammation- and tissue injury-induced mechanical pain hypersensitivity while thermal and mechanical pain hypersensitivities were normal following nerve injury. To determine the molecular mechanism involving the specific types of mechanical pain hypersensitivity, we compared gene expression profiles between IB4+ neuron-ablated and control dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. We identified Tmem45b as one of 12 candidate genes that were specific to somatosensory ganglia and down-regulated by IB4+ neuronal ablation. Indeed, Tmem45b was expressed predominantly in IB4+ DRG neurons, where it was selectively localized in the trans Golgi apparatus of DRG neurons but not detectable in the peripheral and central branches of DRG axons. Tmem45b expression was barely detected in the spinal cord and brain. Although Tmem45b-knockout mice showed normal responses to noxious heat and noxious mechanical stimuli under normal conditions, mechanical pain hypersensitivity was selectively impaired after inflammation and tissue incision, reproducing the pain phenotype of IB4+ sensory neuron-ablated mice. Furthermore, acute knockdown by intrathecal injection of Tmem45b small interfering RNA, either before or after inflammation induction, successfully reduced mechanical pain hypersensitivity. Thus, our study demonstrates that Tmem45b is essential for inflammation- and tissue injury-induced mechanical pain hypersensitivity and highlights Tmem45b as a therapeutic target for future treatment.

Effects of inflammation on the properties of Nav1.8-ChR2-positive and Nav1.8-ChR2-negative afferent mechanoreceptors in the hindpaw glabrous skin of mice.

We recently used Nav1.8-ChR2 mice in which Nav1.8-expressing afferents were optogenetically tagged to classify mechanosensitive afferents into Nav1.8-ChR2-positive and Nav1.8-ChR2-negative mechanoreceptors. We found that the former were mainly high threshold mechanoreceptors (HTMRs), while the latter were low threshold mechanoreceptors (LTMRs). In the present study, we further investigated whether the properties of these mechanoreceptors were altered following tissue inflammation. Nav1.8-ChR2 mice received a subcutaneous injection of saline or Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) in the hindpaws. Using the hind paw glabrous skin-tibial nerve preparation and the pressure-clamped single-fiber recordings, we found that CFA-induced hind paw inflammation lowered the mechanical threshold of many Nav1.8-ChR2-positive Aß-fiber mechanoreceptors but heightened the mechanical threshold of many Nav1.8-ChR2-negative Aß-fiber mechanoreceptors. Spontaneous action potential impulses were not observed in Nav1.8-ChR2-positive Aß-fiber mechanoreceptors but occurred in Nav1.8-ChR2-negative Aß-fiber mechanoreceptors with a lower mechanical threshold in the saline goup, and a higher mechanical threshold in the CFA group. No significant change was observed in the mechanical sensitivity of Nav1.8-ChR2-positive and Nav1.8-ChR2-negative Aδ-fiber mechanoreceptors and Nav1.8-ChR2-positive C-fiber mechanoreceptors following hind paw inflammation. Collectively, inflammation significantly altered the functional properties of both Nav1.8-ChR2-positive and Nav1.8-ChR2-negative Aß-fiber mechanoreceptors, which may contribute to mechanical allodynia during inflammation.

A subset of spinal dorsal horn interneurons crucial for gating touch-evoked pain-like behavior.

A cardinal, intractable symptom of neuropathic pain is mechanical allodynia, pain caused by innocuous stimuli via low-threshold mechanoreceptors such as Aß fibers. However, the mechanism by which Aß fiber-derived signals are converted to pain remains incompletely understood. Here we identify a subset of inhibitory interneurons in the spinal dorsal horn (SDH) operated by adeno-associated viral vectors incorporating a neuropeptide Y promoter (AAV-NpyP+) and show that specific ablation or silencing of AAV-NpyP+ SDH interneurons converted touch-sensing Aß fiber-derived signals to morphine-resistant pain-like behavioral responses. AAV-NpyP+ neurons received excitatory inputs from Aß fibers and transmitted inhibitory GABA signals to lamina I neurons projecting to the brain. In a model of neuropathic pain developed by peripheral nerve injury, AAV-NpyP+ neurons exhibited deeper resting membrane potentials, and their excitation by Aß fibers was impaired. Conversely, chemogenetic activation of AAV-NpyP+ neurons in nerve-injured rats reversed Aß fiber-derived neuropathic pain-like behavior that was shown to be morphine-resistant and reduced pathological neuronal activation of superficial SDH including lamina I. These findings suggest that identified inhibitory SDH interneurons that act as a critical brake on conversion of touch-sensing Aß fiber signals into pain-like behavioral responses. Thus, enhancing activity of these neurons may offer a novel strategy for treating neuropathic allodynia.

Excess intracellular ATP causes neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury.

Intractable neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury (NP-SCI) reduces a patient's quality of life. Excessive release of ATP into the extracellular space evokes neuroinflammation via purinergic receptor. Neuroinflammation plays an important role in the initiation and maintenance of NP. However, little is known about whether or not extracellular ATP cause NP-SCI. We found in the present study that excess of intracellular ATP at the lesion site evokes at-level NP-SCI. No significant differences in the body weight, locomotor function, or motor behaviors were found in groups that were negative and positive for at-level allodynia. The intracellular ATP level at the lesion site was significantly higher in the allodynia-positive mice than in the allodynia-negative mice. A metabolome analysis revealed that there were no significant differences in the ATP production or degradation between allodynia-negative and allodynia-positive mice. Dorsal horn neurons in allodynia mice were found to be inactivated in the resting state, suggesting that decreased ATP consumption due to neural inactivity leads to a build-up of intracellular ATP. In contrast to the findings in the resting state, mechanical stimulation increased the neural activity of dorsal horn and extracellular ATP release at lesion site. The forced production of intracellular ATP at the lesion site in non-allodynia mice induced allodynia. The inhibition of P2X4 receptors in allodynia mice reduced allodynia. These results suggest that an excess buildup of intracellular ATP in the resting state causes at-level NP-SCI as a result of the extracellular release of ATP with mechanical stimulation.

Anesthesia and surgery induce a functional decrease in excitatory synaptic transmission in prefrontal cortex neurons, and intraoperative administration of dexmedetomidine does not elicit the synaptic dysfunction.

Postoperative delirium (POD), a syndrome of confusion and inattention, frequently occurs after anesthesia and surgery. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays key roles in executive functions and cognitive controls. However, the neuropathogenesis of POD in the PFC remains largely unknown. We investigated whether anesthesia and surgery induced neurofunctional changes in the mouse PFC. After laparotomy was performed under isoflurane anesthesia, PFC neuronal activities were compared at the synaptic level using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. A battery of behavioral tests measuring natural and learned behaviors, and effects of intraoperative dexmedetomidine were also examined. In the anesthesia/surgery group showing changes in natural and learned behaviors, the frequency of excitatory synaptic responses in PFC pyramidal neurons was decreased after the surgery without any changes in the response kinetics. On the other hand, neuronal intrinsic properties and inhibitory synaptic responses were not changed. In the anesthesia/surgery group administered intraoperative dexmedetomidine, the excitatory synaptic transmission and the behaviors were not altered. These results suggest that anesthesia and surgery induce a functional reduction selectively in the PFC excitatory synaptic transmission, and intraoperative dexmedetomidine inhibits the plastic change in the PFC excitatory synaptic input.

L-bupivacaine Inhibition of Nociceptive Transmission in Rat Peripheral and Dorsal Horn Neurons.

BACKGROUND: Although the widely used single L-enantiomers of local anesthetics have less toxic effects on the cardiovascular and central nervous systems, the mechanisms mediating their antinociceptive actions are not well understood. The authors hypothesized that significant differences in the ion channel blocking abilities of the enantiomers of bupivacaine would be identified. METHODS: The authors performed electrophysiologic analysis on rat dorsal root ganglion neurons in vitro and on spinal transmissions in vivo. RESULTS: In the dorsal root ganglion, these anesthetics decreased the amplitudes of action potentials. The half-maximum inhibitory concentrations of D-enantiomer D-bupivacaine were almost equal for Aß (29.5 µM), Aδ (29.7µM), and C (29.8 µM) neurons. However, the half-maximum inhibitory concentrations of L-bupivacaine was lower for Aδ (19.35 µM) and C (19.5 µM) neurons than for A ß (79.4 µM) neurons. Moreover, D-bupivacaine almost equally inhibited tetrodotoxin-resistant (mean ± SD: 15.8 ± 10.9% of the control, n = 14, P < 0.001) and tetrodotoxin-sensitive (15.4 ± 15.6% of the control, n = 11, P = 0.004) sodium currents. In contrast, L-bupivacaine suppressed tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium currents (26.1 ± 19.5% of the control, n = 18, P < 0.001) but not tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium currents (74.5 ± 18.2% of the control, n = 11, P = 0.477). In the spinal dorsal horn, L-bupivacaine decreased the area of pinch-evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (39.4 ± 11.3% of the control, n = 7, P < 0.001) but not touch-evoked responses (84.2 ± 14.5% of the control, n = 6, P = 0.826). In contrast, D-bupivacaine equally decreased pinch- and touch-evoked responses (38.8 ± 9.5% of the control, n = 6, P = 0.001, 42.9 ± 11.8% of the control, n = 6, P = 0.013, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the L-enantiomer of bupivacaine (L-bupivacaine) effectively inhibits noxious transmission to the spinal dorsal horn by blocking action potential conduction through C and Aδ afferent fibers.

Involvement of cannabinoid type 1 receptor in fasting-induced analgesia.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is known to modulate not only food intake but also pain, especially via the cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R) expressed throughout the central nervous system and the peripheral tissues. Our previous study demonstrated that fasting produces an analgesic effect in adult male mice, which is reversed by intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of CB1R antagonist (SR 141716). In the present study, we further examined the effect of CB1R expressed in the peripheral tissues. In the formalin-induced inflammatory pain model, i.p. administration of peripherally restricted CB1R antagonist (AM 6545) reversed fasting-induced analgesia. However, intraplantar administration of SR 141716 did not affect fasting-induced analgesia. Furthermore, mRNA expression of CB1R did not change in the formalin model by fasting in the dorsal root ganglia. The formalin-induced c-Fos expression at the spinal cord level was not affected by fasting, and in vivo recording from the superficial dorsal horn of the lumbar spinal cord revealed that fasting did not affect formalin-induced neural activity, which indicates minimal involvement of the spinal cord in fasting-induced analgesia. Finally, when we performed subdiaphragmatic vagotomy to block the hunger signal from the gastrointestinal (GI) system, AM 6545 did not affect fasting-induced analgesia, but SR 141716 still reversed fasting-induced analgesia. Taken together, our results suggest that both peripheral and central CB1Rs contribute to fasting-induced analgesic effects and the CB1Rs in the GI system which transmit fasting signals to the brain, rather than those in the peripheral sensory neurons, may contribute to fasting-induced analgesic effects.

Anti-nociceptive and anxiolytic effects of systemic flupirtine and its direct inhibitory actions on in vivo neuronal mechanical sensory responses in the adult rat anterior cingulate cortex.

Flupirtine is a non-opioid centrally acting analgesic that has been in clinical use, and is reported to act on neuronal ion channels and neurotransmitter receptors. However, its action on emotional aspects of pain is still unknown. In this study, we examined whether flupirtine has anxiolytic action and assayed its direct actions on the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) at the single neuronal and synaptic levels. Anti-nociceptive and anxiolytic effects of flupirtine were evaluated by von Frey test and elevated plus-maze (EPM) in adult rats. The effects of flupirtine on firings and synaptic currents in the rat ACC were examined using in vivo extracellular and brain slice patch-clamp recording techniques, respectively. Systemic administration of flupirtine increased paw withdrawal threshold, and reduced anxiety-like behavior in the EPM. ACC neurons fired spontaneously. Mechanical stimulation of the contralateral hind paw with the von Frey filaments increased firing from the basal spontaneous activity. Intravenous administration of flupirtine reduced both spontaneous and stimulus-evoked firing frequency in the ACC. Flupirtine microinjected into the ACC also inhibited the spontaneous and evoked-responses. In brain slices, flupirtine did not induce any detectable outward currents, but it prolonged the decay time of GABAergic inhibitory synaptic responses. These results suggest that flupirtine directly augments GABAergic synaptic currents and suppresses evoked mechanical nociceptive responses in the ACC. This direct action in the ACC may reduce emotional aspect of pain and induce anxiolytic action.

Responsiveness of lumbosacral superficial dorsal horn neurons during the voiding reflex and functional loss of spinal urethral-responsive neurons in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

AIMS: Sensory information from the lower urinary tract (LUT) is conveyed to the spinal cord to trigger and co-ordinate micturition. However, it is not fully understood how spinal dorsal horn neurons are excited during the voiding reflex. In this study, we developed an in vivo technique allowing recording of superficial dorsal horn (SDH) neurons concurrent with intravesical pressure (IVP) during the micturition cycle in both normal and diabetic rats. METHODS: Lumbosacral dorsal horn neuronal activity and IVP were recorded from urethane-anesthetized naive and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Saline was continuously perfused into the urinary bladder through a cannula to induce micturition. RESULTS: We classified SDH neurons into bladder- and urethral-responsive neurons, based on their responsiveness during the voiding reflex. Bladder-responsive SDH neurons responded to the rapid increase in IVP at the start of voiding. In contrast, urethral-responsive SDH neuronal firing increased at the peak IVP and their firing lasted during the voiding phase (the high-frequency oscillations). Urethral-responsive SDH neurons were more sensitive to capsaicin, received C afferent fiber inputs, and were rarely detected in STZ-diabetes rats. Administration of a cyclohexenoic long-chain fatty alcohol (TAC-302), which is reported to promote neurite outgrowth of peripheral nerves in STZ-diabetic rats, prevented the functional loss of spinal urethral response. CONCLUSIONS: Sensory information from the bladder and urethra is conveyed separately to different groups of SDH neurons. Functional loss of spinal urethral sensory information through unmyelinated C afferent fibers may contribute to diabetic bladder dysfunction.

Roles of the noradrenergic nucleus locus coeruleus and dopaminergic nucleus A11 region as supraspinal defecation centers in rats.

We previously demonstrated that administration of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin into the lumbosacral defecation center caused propulsive contractions of the colorectum. It is known that the monoamines in the spinal cord are released mainly from descending neurons in the brainstem. In fact, stimulation of the medullary raphe nuclei, the origin of descending serotonergic neurons, enhances colorectal motility via the lumbosacral defecation center. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the roles of the noradrenergic nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) and dopaminergic nucleus A11 region in the defecation reflex. Colorectal motility was measured with a balloon in anesthetized rats. Electrical stimulation of the LC and A11 region increased colorectal pressure only when a GABAA receptor antagonist was injected into the lumbosacral spinal cord. The effects of the LC stimulation and A11 region stimulation on colorectal motility were inhibited by antagonists of α1-adrenoceptors and D2-like dopamine receptors injected into the lumbosacral spinal cord, respectively. Spinal injection of a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor augmented the colokinetic effect of LC stimulation. The effect of stimulation of each nucleus was abolished by surgical severing of the parasympathetic pelvic nerves. Our findings demonstrate that activation of descending noradrenergic neurons from the LC and descending dopaminergic neurons from the A11 region causes enhancement of colorectal motility via the lumbosacral defecation center. The present study provides a novel concept that the brainstem monoaminergic nuclei play a role as supraspinal defecation centers.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The present study demonstrates that electrical and chemical stimulations of the locus coeruleus or A11 region augment contractions of the colorectum. The effects of locus coeruleus and A11 stimulations on colorectal motility are due to activation of α1-adrenoceptors and D2-like dopamine receptors in the lumbosacral defecation center, respectively. The present study provides a novel concept that the brainstem monoaminergic nuclei play a role as supraspinal defecation centers.

Ethanol-induced enhancement of inhibitory synaptic transmission in the rat spinal substantia gelatinosa.

Recent studies have shown that ethanol produces a widespread modulation of neuronal activity in the central nervous system. It is not fully understood, however, how ethanol changes nociceptive transmission. We investigated acute effects of ethanol on synaptic transmission in the substantia gelatinosa (lamina II of the spinal dorsal horn) and mechanical responses in the spinal dorsal horn. In substantia gelatinosa neurons, bath application of ethanol at low concentration (10 mM) did not change the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents. At medium to high concentrations (20-100 mM), however, ethanol elicited a barrage of large amplitude spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents. In the presence of tetrodotoxin, such enhancement of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents was not detected. In addition, ethanol (20-100 mM) increased the frequency of spontaneous discharge of vesicular GABA transporter-Venus-labeled neurons and suppressed the mechanical nociceptive response in wide-dynamic range neurons in the spinal dorsal horn. The present results suggest that ethanol may reduce nociceptive information transfer in the spinal dorsal horn by enhancement of inhibitory GABAergic and glycinergic synaptic transmission.

Chronic inflammatory pain induced GABAergic synaptic plasticity in the adult mouse anterior cingulate cortex.

Background Chronic pain is a persistent unpleasant sensation that produces pathological synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system. Both human imaging study and animal studies consistently demonstrate that the anterior cingulate cortex is a critical cortical area for nociceptive and chronic pain processing. Thus far, the mechanisms of excitatory synaptic transmission and plasticity have been well characterized in the anterior cingulate cortex for various models of chronic pain. By contrast, the potential contribution of inhibitory synaptic transmission in the anterior cingulate cortex, in models of chronic pain, is not fully understood. Methods Chronic inflammation was induced by complete Freund adjuvant into the adult mice left hindpaw. We performed in vitro whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from layer II/III pyramidal neurons in two to three days after the complete Freund adjuvant injection and examined if the model could cause plastic changes, including transient and tonic type A γ-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) receptor-mediated inhibitory synaptic transmission, in the anterior cingulate cortex. We analyzed miniature/spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents, GABAA receptor-mediated tonic currents, and evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents. Finally, we studied if GABAergic transmission-related proteins in the presynapse and postsynapse of the anterior cingulate cortex were altered. Results The complete Freund adjuvant model reduced the frequency of both miniature and spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents compared with control group. By contrast, the average amplitude of these currents was not changed between two groups. Additionally, the complete Freund adjuvant model did not change GABAA receptor-mediated tonic currents nor the set of evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents when compared with control group. Importantly, protein expression of vesicular GABA transporter was reduced within the presynpase of the anterior cingulate cortex in complete Freund adjuvant model. In contrast, the complete Freund adjuvant model did not change the protein levels of GABAA receptors subunits such as α1, α5, ß2, γ2, and δ. Conclusion Our results suggest that the induction phase of inflammatory pain involves spontaneous GABAergic plasticity at presynaptic terminals of the anterior cingulate cortex.

Impaired peripheral nerve regeneration in type-2 diabetic mouse model.

Peripheral neuropathy is one of the most common and serious complications of type-2 diabetes. Diabetic neuropathy is characterized by a distal symmetrical sensorimotor polyneuropathy, and its incidence increases in patients 40 years of age or older. In spite of extensive research over decades, there are few effective treatments for diabetic neuropathy besides glucose control and improved lifestyle. The earliest changes in diabetic neuropathy occur in sensory nerve fibers, with initial degeneration and regeneration resulting in pain. To seek its effective treatment, here we prepared a type-2 diabetic mouse model by giving mice 2 injections of streptozotocin and nicotinamide and examining the ability for nerve regeneration by using a sciatic nerve transection-regeneration model previously established by us. Seventeen weeks after the last injection, the mice exhibited symptoms of type-2 diabetes, that is, impaired glucose tolerance, decreased insulin level, mechanical hyperalgesia, and impaired sensory nerve fibers in the plantar skin. These mice showed delayed functional recovery and nerve regeneration by 2 weeks compared with young healthy mice and by 1 week compared with age-matched non-diabetic mice after axotomy. Furthermore, type-2 diabetic mice displayed increased expression of PTEN in their DRG neurons. Administration of a PTEN inhibitor at the cutting site of the nerve for 4 weeks promoted the axonal transport and functional recovery remarkably. This study demonstrates that peripheral nerve regeneration was impaired in type-2 diabetic model and that its combination with sciatic nerve transection is suitable for the study of the pathogenesis and treatment of early diabetic neuropathy.

Medullary raphe nuclei activate the lumbosacral defecation center through the descending serotonergic pathway to regulate colorectal motility in rats.

Colorectal motility is regulated by two defecation centers located in the brain and spinal cord. In previous studies, we have shown that administration of serotonin (5-HT) in the lumbosacral spinal cord causes enhancement of colorectal motility. Because spinal 5-HT is derived from neurons of the medullary raphe nuclei, including the raphe magnus, raphe obscurus, and raphe pallidus, we examined whether stimulation of the medullary raphe nuclei enhances colorectal motility via the lumbosacral defecation center. Colorectal pressure was recorded with a balloon in vivo in anesthetized rats. Electrical stimulation of the medullary raphe nuclei failed to enhance colorectal motility. Because GABAergic neurons can be simultaneously activated by the raphe stimulation and released GABA masks accelerating actions of the raphe nuclei on the lumbosacral defecation center, a GABAA receptor antagonist was preinjected intrathecally to manifest excitatory responses. When spinal GABAA receptors were blocked by the antagonist, electrical stimulation of the medullary raphe nuclei increased colorectal contractions. This effect of the raphe nuclei was inhibited by intrathecal injection of 5-hydroxytryptamine type 2 (5-HT2) and type 3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonists. In addition, injection of a selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor in the lumbosacral spinal cord augmented the raphe stimulation-induced enhancement of colorectal motility. Transection of the pelvic nerves, but not transection of the colonic nerves, prevented the effect of the raphe nuclei on colorectal motility. These results demonstrate that activation of the medullary raphe nuclei causes augmented contractions of the colorectum via 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors in the lumbosacral defecation center. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We have shown that electrical stimulation of the medullary raphe nuclei causes augmented contractions of the colorectum via pelvic nerves in rats. The effect of the medullary raphe nuclei on colorectal motility is exerted through activation of 5-hydroxytryptamine type 2 and type 3 receptors in the lumbosacral defecation center. The descending serotoninergic raphespinal tract represents new potential therapeutic targets against colorectal dysmotility such as irritable bowel syndrome.

Pain-enhancing mechanism through interaction between TRPV1 and anoctamin 1 in sensory neurons.

The capsaicin receptor transient receptor potential cation channel vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is activated by various noxious stimuli, and the stimuli are converted into electrical signals in primary sensory neurons. It is believed that cation influx through TRPV1 causes depolarization, leading to the activation of voltage-gated sodium channels, followed by the generation of action potential. Here we report that the capsaicin-evoked action potential could be induced by two components: a cation influx-mediated depolarization caused by TRPV1 activation and a subsequent anion efflux-mediated depolarization via activation of anoctamin 1 (ANO1), a calcium-activated chloride channel, resulting from the entry of calcium through TRPV1. The interaction between TRPV1 and ANO1 is based on their physical binding. Capsaicin activated the chloride currents in an extracellular calcium-dependent manner in HEK293T cells expressing TRPV1 and ANO1. Similarly, in mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons, capsaicin-activated inward currents were inhibited significantly by a specific ANO1 antagonist, T16Ainh-A01 (A01), in the presence of a high concentration of EGTA but not in the presence of BAPTA [1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid]. The generation of a capsaicin-evoked action potential also was inhibited by A01. Furthermore, pain-related behaviors in mice treated with capsaicin, but not with αß-methylene ATP, were reduced significantly by the concomitant administration of A01. These results indicate that TRPV1-ANO1 interaction is a significant pain-enhancing mechanism in the peripheral nervous system.

Stimulation of dopamine D2-like receptors in the lumbosacral defaecation centre causes propulsive colorectal contractions in rats.

KEY POINTS: The pathophysiological roles of the CNS in bowel dysfunction in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and Parkinson's disease remain obscure. In the present study, we demonstrate that dopamine in the lumbosacral defaecation centre causes strong propulsive motility of the colorectum. The effect of dopamine is a result of activation of sacral parasympathetic preganglionic neurons via D2-like dopamine receptors. Considering that dopamine is a neurotransmitter of descending pain inhibitory pathways, our results highlight the novel concept that descending pain inhibitory pathways control not only pain, but also the defaecation reflex. In addition, severe constipation in patients with Parkinson's disease can be explained by reduced parasympathetic outflow as a result of a loss of the effect of dopaminergic neurons. ABSTRACT: We have recently demonstrated that intrathecally injected noradrenaline caused propulsive contractions of the colorectum. We hypothesized that descending pain inhibitory pathways control not only pain, but also the defaecation reflex. Because dopamine is one of the major neurotransmitters of descending pain inhibitory pathways in the spinal cord, we examined the effects of the intrathecal application of dopamine to the spinal defaecation centre on colorectal motility. Colorectal intraluminal pressure and expelled volume were recorded in vivo in anaesthetized rats. Slice patch clamp and immunohistochemistry were used to confirm the existence of dopamine-sensitive neurons in the sacral parasympathetic nuclei. Intrathecal application of dopamine into the L6-S1 spinal cord, where the lumbosacral defaecation centre is located, caused propulsive contractions of the colorectum. Inactivation of spinal neurons using TTX blocked the effect of dopamine. Although thoracic spinal transection had no effect on the enhancement of colorectal motility by intrathecal dopamine, the severing of the pelvic nerves abolished the enhanced motility. Pharmacological experiments revealed that the effect of dopamine is mediated primarily by D2-like dopamine receptors. Neurons labelled with retrograde dye injected at the colorectum showed an inward current in response to dopamine in slice patch clamp recordings. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that neurons immunoreactive to choline acetyltransferase express D2-like dopamine receptors. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that dopamine activates sacral parasympathetic preganglionic neurons via D2-like dopamine receptors and causes propulsive motility of the colorectum in rats. The present study supports the hypothesis that descending pain inhibitory pathways regulate defaecation reflexes.

Changes in synaptic transmission of substantia gelatinosa neurons after spinal cord hemisection revealed by analysis using in vivo patch-clamp recording.

BACKGROUND: After spinal cord injury, central neuropathic pain develops in the majority of spinal cord injury patients. Spinal hemisection in rats, which has been developed as an animal model of spinal cord injury in humans, results in hyperexcitation of spinal dorsal horn neurons soon after the hemisection and thereafter. The hyperexcitation is likely caused by permanent elimination of the descending pain systems. We examined the change in synaptic transmission of substantia gelatinosa neurons following acute spinal hemisection by using an in vivo whole-cell patch-clamp technique. RESULTS: An increased spontaneous action potential firings of substantia gelatinosa neurons was detected in hemisected rats compared with that in control animals. The frequencies and amplitudes of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents and of evoked excitatory postsynaptic currentss in response to non-noxious and noxious stimuli were not different between hemisected and control animals. On the contrary, the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents of substantia gelatinosa neurons in hemisected animals were significantly smaller and lower, respectively, than those in control animals (P < 0.01). Large amplitude and high-frequency spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents, which could not be elicited by mechanical stimuli, were seen in 44% of substantia gelatinosa neurons in control animals but only in 17% of substantia gelatinosa neurons in hemisected animals. In control animals, such large amplitude spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents were suppressed by spinal application of tetrodotoxin (1 µM). Cervical application of lidocaine (2%, 10 µl) also inhibited such large amplitude of inhibitory postsynaptic currents. The proportion of multi-receptive substantia gelatinosa neurons, which exhibit action potential firing in response to non-noxious and noxious stimuli, was much larger in hemisected animals than in control animals. CONCLUSIONS: These suggest that substantia gelatinosa neurons receive tonic inhibition by spinal inhibitory interneurons which generate persistent action potentials. Spinal hemisection results in hyperexcitation of substantia gelatinosa neurons at least in part by eliminating the tonic descending control of spinal inhibitory interneurons from supraspinal levels.

Optoactivation of locus ceruleus neurons evokes bidirectional changes in thermal nociception in rats.

Pontospinal noradrenergic neurons are thought to form part of a descending endogenous analgesic system that exerts inhibitory influences on spinal nociception. Using optogenetic targeting, we tested the hypothesis that excitation of the locus ceruleus (LC) is antinociceptive. We transduced rat LC neurons by direct injection of a lentiviral vector expressing channelrhodopsin2 under the control of the PRS promoter. Subsequent optoactivation of the LC evoked repeatable, robust, antinociceptive (+4.7°C ± 1.0, p < 0.0001) or pronociceptive (-4.4°C ± 0.7, p < 0.0001) changes in hindpaw thermal withdrawal thresholds. Post hoc anatomical characterization of the distribution of transduced somata referenced against the position of the optical fiber and subsequent further functional analysis showed that antinociceptive actions were evoked from a distinct, ventral subpopulation of LC neurons. Therefore, the LC is capable of exerting potent, discrete, bidirectional influences on thermal nociception that are produced by specific subpopulations of noradrenergic neurons. This reflects an underlying functional heterogeneity of the influence of the LC on the processing of nociceptive information.