Migraine is a debilitating neurological condition involving the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). The overall objective of this project is to identify mechanisms by which CGRP triggers photophobia, a common symptom of migraine. Photophobia is a painful response to ordinarily non-painful levels of light. A useful tool for these studies is the nestin/hRAMP1 transgenic mouse, which is sensitized to CGRP actions. The mice have elevated nervous system expression of a subunit of the CGRP receptor called human receptor activity-modifying protein 1 (hRAMP1). Nestin/hRAMP1 mice have heightened responses to at least two sensory stimuli: touch and light. The light aversive phenotype is analogous to photophobia and is greatly enhanced by central administration of CGRP. The mice also display enhanced light aversive behavior following chemically induced mast cell degranulation and a mild stress paradigm. Stress is one of the most common triggers of migraine and also induces dural mast cell degranulation. There is evidence that migraine is a neural disorder that can be exacerbated by inflammatory signals: dural mast cells activate trigeminal nociceptive pathways, mast cell degranulation triggers migraine-like headaches, and anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly used for migraine. We hypothesize that CGRP can act in the thalamus to trigger light aversion following stress-induced neurogenic inflammation. This hypothesis is based on a recent finding that posterior thalamic neurons are sensitive to both dural and light stimulation. Furthermore, CGRP can activate dural mast cells, trigeminal neurons, and posterior thalamic neurons. Thus, there is a CGRP-dependent pathway for stress-induced mast cell activation to sensitize thalamic neurons to light, leading to photophobia.
The first aim will establish the contribution of mast cells in light aversive behavior. Light aversion in response to a chemical activator and a mild stress paradigm will be compared between nestin/hRAMP1 and control mice.
The second aim will identify whether the posterior thalamus is a CNS target of CGRP- and mast cell-induced light aversion. Complementary pharmacological and genetic strategies will be used.
These aims will provide insight to the mechanisms by which stress can trigger a migraine-like symptom in an animal model. Clearly, a host of genes will be involved in migraine in addition to CGRP. Hence, the hRAMP1-based strategy provides an innovative approach using the advantages of a defined mouse system for the study of complex diseases. The significance of the proposed studies is their translational potential, which is underscored by the prevalence of migraine, affecting almost 1 in every 5 women. Despite advances in our understanding of migraine over the past decade, many questions remain unanswered, in part due to the paucity of appropriate animal models. To address these issues, we have assembled an interdisciplinary team with expertise in CGRP, migraine, pain pharmacology, and mouse behavior. The impact of this proposal will be a validated preclinical model for translational studies to develop new therapeutics for migraine.

Public Health Relevance

Migraine represents a significant burden to society. The proposed experiments will provide insights on links between stress and a neuropeptide implicated in migraine. By identifying the relevant biological pathways, these studies could uncover novel therapeutic targets for migraine and other cranial pain states.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01NS075599-01
Application #
8176870
Study Section
Molecular Neuropharmacology and Signaling Study Section (MNPS)
Program Officer
Porter, Linda L
Project Start
2011-06-01
Project End
2016-05-31
Budget Start
2011-06-01
Budget End
2012-05-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$413,281
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Iowa
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
062761671
City
Iowa City
State
IA
Country
United States
Zip Code
52242
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Mason, Bianca N; Russo, Andrew F (2018) Vascular Contributions to Migraine: Time to Revisit? Front Cell Neurosci 12:233
Sabharwal, Rasna; Mason, Bianca N; Kuburas, Adisa et al. (2018) Increased receptor activity-modifying protein 1 in the nervous system is sufficient to protect against autonomic dysregulation and hypertension. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab :271678X17751352
Walker, Christopher S; Raddant, Ann C; Woolley, Michael J et al. (2018) CGRP receptor antagonist activity of olcegepant depends on the signalling pathway measured. Cephalalgia 38:437-451
Messlinger, Karl; Russo, Andrew F (2018) Current understanding of trigeminal ganglion structure and function in headache. Cephalalgia :333102418786261
Close, Liesl N; Eftekhari, Sajedeh; Wang, Minyan et al. (2018) Cortical spreading depression as a site of origin for migraine: Role of CGRP. Cephalalgia :333102418774299
Kaiser, Eric A; Rea, Brandon J; Kuburas, Adisa et al. (2017) Anti-CGRP antibodies block CGRP-induced diarrhea in mice. Neuropeptides 64:95-99
Mason, Bianca N; Kaiser, Eric A; Kuburas, Adisa et al. (2017) Induction of Migraine-Like Photophobic Behavior in Mice by Both Peripheral and Central CGRP Mechanisms. J Neurosci 37:204-216
Bohn, Keegan J; Li, Baolin; Huang, Xiaofang et al. (2017) CGRP receptor activity in mice with global expression of human receptor activity modifying protein 1. Br J Pharmacol 174:1826-1840
Russo, Andrew F (2017) Overview of Neuropeptides: Awakening the Senses? Headache 57 Suppl 2:37-46

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