Limb trauma can lead to the development of a complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a potentially debilitating chronic pain state. Currently there is no consensus on either the pathophysiology or treatment for CRPS and translational studies are clearly needed to identify therapeutic targets and effective treatments. We have developed a tibia fracture rodent model that closely replicates the CRPS clinical scenario with hindlimb unweighting, allodynia, warmth, edema, bone loss, exaggerated neuroinflammatory responses and increased levels of inflammatory mediators (TNF, IL-1, and NGF) expressed by keratinocytes in the affected skin. This proposal tests the hypothesis that fracture and immobilization can enhance sensory and sympathetic efferent signaling in skin keratinocytes and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) glial cells, causing cellular proliferation and inflammatory mediator release leading to the development of chronic inflammation and pain. The primary objective of this proposal is to identify target-specific treatments for CRPS using approved or soon-to-be-approved medications.
The specific aims are: 1) to identify the pro-inflammatory effects of sensory neuropeptides and adrenergic agonists in cultured keratinocyte, Schwann, and DRG cells, 2) to determine whether sensory and sympathetic efferent signaling is up-regulated after fracture and three- week cast immobilization in mice and to establish the role this neuronal signaling plays in the development of post-fracture CRPS-like changes in the hind limb and inflammatory mediator expression in the skin and DRGs innervating the injured limb, and 3) to characterize the effects of immobilization and remobilization on post-fracture CRPS-like changes, sensory and sympathetic signaling, and inflammatory mediator expression. In vitro cell culture studies in keratinocyte, Schwann, and DRG cell lines will be utilized to identify candidate neurotransmitters and receptor subtypes for translational mouse fracture studies. The fracture CRPS model will be utilized in mouse strains deficient for specific neurotransmitters or their receptors to determine the role played by sensory and sympathetic neurotransmitter signaling in the development of fracture induced pain, inflammation, and bone loss. Additional studies will determine the effects of 1) cast immobilization in intact mice, 2) early remobilization in fractured and intramedullary pinned mice, and 3) daily treadmill exercise therapy in fracture and casted mice, looking at the effects of these interventions on the development of pain behaviors, edema, warmth, and inflammatory mediator expression in the skin keratinocytes and the DRG satellite glia. We anticipate that these experiments will help identify the neural systems, transmitters, and peripheral cellular targets that modulate post-fracture inflammation and pain, discover novel anti- inflammatory effects for mobilization and exercise after trauma, and generate translational data identifying specific molecular targets for future CRPS trials.

Public Health Relevance

We anticipate that the proposed studies in this application will provide a sound experimental foundation supporting the neuroinflammatory basis of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Identifying the relevant inflammatory signaling pathways leading to the development of post-traumatic CRPS could readily translate into more effective CRPS drug treatments. If funded, this work would be an important step towards the ultimate goal of improving the clinical management of this debilitating condition.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS072168-03
Application #
8520406
Study Section
Surgery, Anesthesiology and Trauma Study Section (SAT)
Program Officer
Chen, Daofen
Project Start
2011-08-01
Project End
2015-07-31
Budget Start
2013-08-01
Budget End
2014-07-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$234,736
Indirect Cost
$65,861
Name
Palo Alto Institute for Research & Edu, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
624218814
City
Palo Alto
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94304
Guo, Tian-Zhi; Wei, Tzuping; Huang, Ting-Ting et al. (2018) Oxidative Stress Contributes to Fracture/Cast-Induced Inflammation and Pain in a Rat Model of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. J Pain 19:1147-1156
Tajerian, Maral; Hung, Victor; Nguyen, Huy et al. (2018) The hippocampal extracellular matrix regulates pain and memory after injury. Mol Psychiatry 23:2302-2313
Tajerian, Maral; Hung, Victor; Khan, Hamda et al. (2017) Identification of KRT16 as a target of an autoantibody response in complex regional pain syndrome. Exp Neurol 287:14-20
Wei, Tzuping; Guo, Tian-Zhi; Li, Wen-Wu et al. (2016) Acute versus chronic phase mechanisms in a rat model of CRPS. J Neuroinflammation 13:14
Wang, Liping; Guo, Tian-Zhi; Hou, Saiyun et al. (2016) Bisphosphonates Inhibit Pain, Bone Loss, and Inflammation in a Rat Tibia Fracture Model of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Anesth Analg 123:1033-45
Tajerian, Maral; Leu, David; Yang, Phillip et al. (2015) Differential Efficacy of Ketamine in the Acute versus Chronic Stages of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in Mice. Anesthesiology 123:1435-47
Tajerian, Maral; Sahbaie, Peyman; Sun, Yuan et al. (2015) Sex differences in a Murine Model of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Neurobiol Learn Mem 123:100-9
Shi, Xiaoyou; Guo, Tian-Zhi; Wei, Tzuping et al. (2015) Facilitated spinal neuropeptide signaling and upregulated inflammatory mediator expression contribute to postfracture nociceptive sensitization. Pain 156:1852-63
Li, W-W; Guo, T-Z; Shi, X et al. (2015) Substance P spinal signaling induces glial activation and nociceptive sensitization after fracture. Neuroscience 310:73-90
Li, Wen-Wu; Guo, Tian-Zhi; Shi, Xiaoyou et al. (2014) Autoimmunity contributes to nociceptive sensitization in a mouse model of complex regional pain syndrome. Pain 155:2377-89

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