Mu and Delta Opioid Receptor Targeting Reduces Connexin 43-Based Heterocellular Coupling during Neuropathic Pain.
Int J Mol Sci
; 23(11)2022 May 24.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35682543
ABSTRACT
Chronic neuropathic pain emerges from either central or peripheral lesions inducing spontaneous or amplified responses to non-noxious stimuli. Despite different pharmacological approaches to treat such a chronic disease, neuropathic pain still represents an unmet clinical need, due to long-term therapeutic regimens and severe side effects that limit application of currently available drugs. A critical phenomenon involved in central sensitization is the exchange of signalling molecules and cytokines, between glia and neurons, driving the chronicization process. Herein, using a chronic constriction injury (CCI) model of neuropathic pain, we evaluated the efficacy of the mu (M-) and delta (D-) opioid receptor (-OR) targeting agent LP2 in modulating connexin-based heterocellular coupling and cytokine levels. We found that long-term efficacy of LP2 is consequent to MOR-DOR targeting resulting in the reduction of CCI-induced astrocyte-to-microglia heterocellular coupling mediated by connexin 43. We also found that single targeting of DOR reduces TNF and IL-6 levels in the chronic phase of the disease, but the peripheral and central discharge as the primary source of excitotoxic stimulation in the spinal cord requires a simultaneous MOR-DOR targeting to reduce CCI-induced neuropathic pain.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Receptores Opioides delta
/
Neuralgia
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Int J Mol Sci
Ano de publicação:
2022
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Itália