Search

Recently, specific oxidized linoleic acid metabolites (OLAMs) have been identified as transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channel agonists that contribute to inflammatory and heat hyperalgesia mechanisms, yet the specific mechanism responsible for OLAM synthesis in sensory neurons is unknown. Here, we use molecular, anatomical, calcium imaging, and perforated patch electrophysiology methods to demonstrate the specific involvement of cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) in the oxidation of linoleic acid leading to neuronal activation and show that this is enhanced under inflammatory conditions. Additional studies evaluated CYP expressions in the native rat trigeminal ganglia (TG) tissue and cultures as well as changes in their expression pattern following the induction of peripheral inflammation. Fourteen of 20 candidate transcripts were detected in native TG, and 7 of these displayed altered expression under cultured conditions. Moreover, complete Freund's adjuvant-induced inflammation of vibrissal pad selectively increased expression of CYP3A23/3A1 and CYP2J4 transcripts in TG. In situ hybridization studies demonstrated broad expression pattern of CYP3A23/3A1 and CYP2J4 within TG neurons. Anatomical studies characterized the expression of CYP3A1 and the CYP2J families within TG sensory neurons, including those with TRPV1, with about half of all TRPV1-positive neurons showing more prominent CYP3A1 and CYP2J expression. Together, these findings show that CYP enzymes play a primary role in mediating linoleic acid-evoked activation of sensory neurons and furthermore, implicate the involvement of specific CYPs as contributing to the formation of OLAMs that act as TRPV1 agonists within this subpopulation of nociceptors., (Copyright © 2012 International Association for the Study of Pain. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Certain phosphorylation events are tightly controlled by scaffolding proteins such as A-kinase anchoring protein (AKAP). On nociceptive terminals, phosphorylation of transient receptor potential channel type 1 (TRPV1) results in the sensitization to many different stimuli, contributing to the development of hyperalgesia. In this study, we investigated the functional involvement of AKAP150 in mediating sensitization of TRPV1, and found that AKAP150 is co-expressed in trigeminal ganglia (TG) neurons from rat and associates with TRPV1. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated knock-down of AKAP150 expression led to a significant reduction in PKA phosphorylation of TRPV1 in cultured TG neurons. In CHO cells, the PKA RII binding site on AKAP was necessary for PKA enhancement of TRPV1-mediated Ca2+-accumulation. In addition, AKAP150 knock-down in cultured TG neurons attenuated PKA sensitization of TRPV1 activity and in vivo administration of an AKAP antagonist significantly reduced prostaglandin E2 sensitization to thermal stimuli. These data suggest that AKAP150 functionally regulates PKA-mediated phosphorylation/sensitization of the TRPV1 receptor.

Nitric oxide (NO) influences electrophysiological and morphological parameters of the mammalian cochlea. Recently, the isoform of the NO-producing enzyme neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) has been demonstrated in spiral ganglion cells and olivocochlear neurons. The cochlea is also innervated by fibers stemming from the trigeminal ganglion (TG) and superior cervical ganglion (SCG). Whether these ganglion cells contain nNOS is not known yet. We therefore identified TG and SCG cells upon injection of Fluoro-Gold (FG) into the cochlea and retrograde neuronal transport of FG in rat and guinea pig. These ganglion cells were investigated for neuronal NOS immunohistochemically. Perikarya labeled by FG were found in the ipsilateral TG and SCG. In both species investigated, a considerable number of FG-labeled TG cells were also nNOS-immunoreactive whereas SCG cells were not. These data, demonstrating the existence of nNOS-containing TG cells that project to the cochlea, provide evidence that these neurons are further sources of nitric oxide in the cochlea.