Journal Club 2015.08.28.

Redefining the concept of protease-activated receptors: cathepsin S evokes itch via activation of Mrgprs

Vemuri B. Reddy1,*, Shuohao Sun2,*, Ehsan Azimi1, Sarina B. Elmariah1, Xinzhong Dong2 & Ethan A. Lerner1
Sensory neurons expressing Mas-related G-protein-coupled receptors (Mrgprs) mediate histamine-independent itch. We show that the cysteine protease cathepsin S activates MrgprC11 and evokes receptor-dependent scratching in mice. In contrast to its activation of conventional protease-activated receptors, cathepsin S-mediated activation of MrgprC11 did not involve the generation of a tethered ligand. We demonstrate further that different cysteine proteases selectively activate specific mouse and human Mrgpr family members. This expansion of our understanding by which proteases interact with G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) redefines the concept of what constitutes a protease-activated receptor. The findings also implicate proteases as ligands to members of this orphan receptor family while providing new insights into how cysteine proteases contribute to itch.

Journal Club 2015.08.21

By 연정 지

Role of PAR2 in regulating oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain via TRPA1

Abstract

Oxaliplatin (OXL) is a third-generation chemotherapeutic agent commonly used to treat metastatic digestive tumors; however, one of the main limiting complications of OXL is neuropathic pain. In this study, the underlying mechanisms responsible for OXL evoked-neuropathic pain were examined. Using a rat model, the results demonstrated that intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of OXL significantly increased mechanical pain and cold sensitivity as compared with control animals (P < 0.05 vs. control rats). Blocking proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) significantly attenuated mechanical pain and cold sensitivity observed in control rats and OXL rats (P < 0.05 vs. vehicle control). The attenuating effect of PAR2 on mechanical pain and cold sensitivity were significantly smaller in OXL-rats than in control rats. The role played by PAR2 downstream signaling pathways [namely, transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1)] in regulating OXL evoked-neuropathic pain was also examined. The data shows that TRPA1 expression was upregulated in the lumbar dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of OXL rats and blocking TRPA1 inhibited mechanical pain and heightened cold sensitivity (P <0.05 vs. control rats). Blocking PAR2 also significantly decreased TRPA1expression in the DRG. Findings in this study show that OXL intervention amplifies mechanical hyperalgesia and cold hypersensitivity and PAR2 plays an important role in regulating OXLinduced neuropathic pain via TRPA1 pathways.

Blocking PAR2 attenuates oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain via TRPV1 and releases of substance P and CGRP in superficial dorsal horn of spinal cord

Abstract

Oxaliplatin (OXL) is a third-generation chemotherapeutic agent commonly used to treat metastatic digestive tumors; however, neuropathic pain is one of the main limiting complications of OXL. The purpose of this study was to examine the underlying mechanisms by which neuropathic pain is induced by OXL in a rat model. Our results demonstrated that blocking spinal proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) attenuated pain responses evoked by mechanical stimulation and decreased the releases of substance P and CGRP in the superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord. The attenuating effect on mechanical pain was significantly smaller in OXL-rats than that in control rats. Blocking PAR2 also attenuated a heightened cold sensitivity evoked by OXL; whereas blocking TRPV1 had little effects on OXL-evoked hypersensitive cold response. Our data also showed that OXL increased the protein expressions of PAR2 and TRPV1 in the superficial dorsal horn. In addition, blocking PAR2 decreased TRPV1 expression in OXL-rats. Overall, our data suggest that upregulated expression of PAR2 in the superficial dorsal horn contributes to mechanical hyperalgesia and cold hypersensitivity; whereas amplified TRPV1 plays a role in regulating mechanical hyperalgesia, but not cold hypersensitivity after administration of OXL. We further suggest that TRPV1 is likely one of the signaling pathways for PAR2 to play a role in regulating OXL-induced neuropathic pain.

Jouanal Club 2015.08.07

By 연정 지

20150807_성민

Potentials of the circulating pruritogenic mediator lysophosphatidic acid in development of allergic skin inflammation in mice: role of blood cell-associated lysophospholipase D activity of autotaxin.

Shimizu Y¹, Morikawa Y², Okudaira S³, Kimoto S², Tanaka T¹, Aoki J³, Tokumura A⁴.

Abstract

Itching and infiltration of immune cells are important hallmarks of atopic dermatitis (AD). Although various studies have focused on peripheral mediator-mediated mechanisms, systemic mediator-mediated mechanisms are also important in the pathogenesis and development of AD. Herein, we found that intradermal injection of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a bioactive phospholipid, induces scratching responses by Institute of Cancer Research mice through LPA1 receptor- and opioid μ receptor-mediating mechanisms, indicating its potential as a pruritogen. The circulating level of LPA in Naruto Research Institute Otsuka Atrichia mice, a systemic AD model, with severe scratching was found to be higher than that of control BALB/c mice, probably because of the increased lysophospholipase D activity of autotaxin (ATX) in the blood (mainly membrane associated) rather than in plasma (soluble). Heparan sulfate proteoglycan was shown to be involved in the association of ATX with blood cells. The sequestration of ATX protein on the blood cells by heparan sulfate proteoglycan may accelerate the transport of LPA to the local apical surface of vascular endothelium with LPA receptors, promoting the hyperpermeability of venules and the pathological uptake of immune cells, aggravating lesion progression and itching in Naruto Research Institute Otsuka Atrichia mice.