miR-374 family is a key regulator of chronic primary pain onset
Nathaniel P. Hernandez,
Ashleigh Rawls,
Jiegen Chen,
Xin Zhang,
Yaomin Wang,
Xianglong Gao,
Marc Parisien,
Mohamad Karaky,
Carolina Beraldo Meloto,
Francesca Montagna,
Hong Dang,
Yue Pan,
Ying Zhao,
Samuel McLean,
Sarah Linnstaedt,
Luda Diatchenko,
Andrea G. Nackley
Affiliations
Nathaniel P. Hernandez
a Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
Ashleigh Rawls
a Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
Jiegen Chen
b Department of Anesthesiology, Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
Xin Zhang
b Department of Anesthesiology, Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
Yaomin Wang
b Department of Anesthesiology, Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
Xianglong Gao
b Department of Anesthesiology, Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
Marc Parisien
c Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, Department of Anesthesia, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
Mohamad Karaky
c Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, Department of Anesthesia, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
Carolina Beraldo Meloto
c Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, Department of Anesthesia, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
Francesca Montagna
c Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, Department of Anesthesia, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
Hong Dang
d Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Yue Pan
e Department of Anesthesiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Ying Zhao
e Department of Anesthesiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Samuel McLean
e Department of Anesthesiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Sarah Linnstaedt
e Department of Anesthesiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Luda Diatchenko
c Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, Department of Anesthesia, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
Andrea G. Nackley
a Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
Abstract. Introduction:. Chronic primary pain conditions (CPPCs) are linked to catecholamine activation of peripheral adrenergic receptors. Yet, catecholamine-dependent epigenetic mechanisms, such as microRNA (miRNA) regulation of mRNA transcripts, remain largely unknown. Objectives:. We sought to identify RNA species correlated with case status in 3 pain cohorts, to validate RNAs found to be dysregulated in a mouse model of CPPC onset, and to directly test the role of adrenergic receptors in miRNA regulation. Furthermore, we tested antinociceptive effects of miR-374 overexpression. Methods:. We used RNA-seq and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to measure RNA expression in 3 pain cohorts. Next, we validated identified RNAs with quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in a mouse model of CPPC onset, measuring expression in plasma, peripheral (adipose, muscle, dorsal root ganglia [DRG]), and central (spinal cord) tissues. Then, we stimulated adrenergic receptors in primary adipocyte and DRG cultures to directly test regulation of microRNAs by adrenergic signaling. Furthermore, we used in vitro calcium imaging to measure the antinociceptive effects of miR-374 overexpression. Results:. We found that one miRNA family, miR-374, was downregulated in the plasma of individuals with temporomandibular disorder, fibromyalgia syndrome, or widespread pain following a motor vehicle collision. miR-374 was also downregulated in plasma, white adipose tissue, and spinal cord from mice with multisite mechanical sensitivity. miR-374 downregulation in plasma and spinal cord was female specific. Norepinephrine stimulation of primary adipocytes, but not DRG, led to decreased miR-374 expression. Furthermore, we identified tissue-specific and sex-specific changes in the expression of predicted miR-374 mRNA targets, including known (HIF1A, NUMB, TGFBR2) and new (ATXN7, CRK-II) pain targets. Finally, we demonstrated that miR-374 overexpression in DRG neurons reduced capsaicin-induced nociceptor activity. Conclusions:. Downregulation of miR-374 occurs between adrenergic receptor activation and mechanical hypersensitivity, and its adipocyte source implicates adipose signaling in nociception. Further study of miR-374 may inform therapeutic strategies for the millions worldwide who experience CPPCs.
