I am a
Home I AM A Search Login

Papers of the Week


Papers: 7 Dec 2019 - 13 Dec 2019


Animal Studies, Pharmacology/Drug Development


2020 Apr


Pain


161


4

Activation of µ-δ opioid receptor heteromers inhibits neuropathic pain behavior in rodents.

Authors

Tiwari V, He S-Q, Huang Q, Liang L, Yang F, Chen Z, Tiwari V, Fujita W, Devi LA, Dong X, Guan Y, Raja SN
Pain. 2020 Apr; 161(4):842-855.
PMID: 31815916.

Abstract

Several reports support the idea that µ- and δ-opioid receptors (ORs) may exist as heterodimers in brain regions involved in pain signaling. The unique pharmacology of these heteromers may present a novel analgesic target. However, the role of µ-δ heteromers in sensory neurons involved in pain and opioid analgesia remains unclear, particularly during neuropathic pain. We examined the effects of spinal nerve injury on µ-δ heteromer expression in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and the effects of a µ-δ heteromer-targeting agonist, CYM51010, on neuropathic pain behavior in rats and mice. An L5 spinal nerve ligation (SNL) in rats significantly decreased µ-δ heteromer expression in L5 DRG, but increased heteromer levels in uninjured L4 DRG. Importantly, in SNL rats, subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of CYM51010 inhibited mechanical hypersensitivity in a dose-related manner (EC50: 1.09 mg/kg) and also reversed heat hyperalgesia and attenuated ongoing pain (2 mg/kg, s.c.). HEK-293T cells surface-labeled with µ- and δ-ORs internalized both receptors after exposure to CYM51010. In contrast, in cells transfected with µ-OR alone, CYM51010 was significantly less effective at inducing receptor internalization. Electrophysiologic studies showed that CYM51010 inhibited the C-component and windup phenomenon in spinal wide-dynamic range neurons of SNL rats. The pain inhibitory effects of CYM51010 persisted in morphine-tolerant rats, but was markedly attenuated in µ-OR knockout mice. Our studies show that spinal nerve injury may increase µ-δ heterodimerization in uninjured DRG neurons and that µ-δ heteromers may be a potential therapeutic target for relieving neuropathic pain, even under conditions of morphine tolerance.