Chronic pain continues to be a major public health concern with considerable effort directed towards achieving a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms to facilitate the development of more effective and safer therapeutics. The research in my lab focuses on the role of store-operated calcium channels (SOCCs) in the modulation of pain. SOC channels are composed of recently discovered Orai subunits (Orai1/2/3, pore-forming subunits), and stromal interaction molecules (STIM) 1 and STIM2 (the ER Ca2+ sensors, serve as their activators). Activation of SOCCs by the release of calcium from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) leads to sustained high levels of cytosolic Ca2+ that are required for many calcium-dependent cellular processes. In the central nervous system (CNS), SOC channels are known to influence neurotransmitter release and synaptic plasticity. Results from our current R21 grant have demonstrated that SOCCs are functionally expressed in dorsal horn neurons and their pharmacological properties are similar to those in non-excitable cells. We have identified STIM1 and Orai1 as essential components of SOCCs in dorsal horn neurons and have demonstrated that the knockdown of STIM1 and Orai1 proteins individually reduces spare nerve injury (SNI)-induced neuropathic pain. Recently, we found that the SOC inhibitor YM- 58483 not only attenuates neuropathic pain, but also dramatically diminishes inflammatory pain. Of interest is the finding that a SOCC inhibitor blocks NMDA and mGluR1/5 agonist- induced sustained calcium entry and nociceptive behavior at later time points, suggesting that SOCCs are involved in functions of NMDA receptors and mGluR1/5. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that SOCC involvement in pain is mediated by their interaction with NMDA receptors and mGluR1/5. To test this hypothesis, we will combine the methods of patch-clamp recording, calcium imaging recording, Western Blot analysis and behavioral testing. Overall, our long-term goal is to understand the mechanisms of chronic pain. The goals of this proposal are to identify endogenous upstream molecules of SOCC signaling and explore functional consequences of SOCC activation. These studies will extend our knowledge of how the SOCC signaling modulates pain. Our findings will establish functional links between SOCCs and group I mGluR, and between SOCCs and NMDA receptors. These studies will provide novel insights into mechanisms of pain and other CNS disorders and may suggest new approaches to therapeutic intervention.

Public Health Relevance

We have demonstrated that STIM1 and Orai1 are major components of SOCCs in dorsal horn neurons and play an important role in spare nerve injury (SNI)-induced neuropathic pain. The goals of this proposal are to identify endogenous upstream molecules of SOCC signaling and explore functional consequences of SOCC activation. These studies will extend our knowledge of how the SOCC signaling modulates pain and will provide novel insights into mechanisms of pain and other CNS disorders and may suggest new approaches to therapeutic intervention.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS087033-02
Application #
8931067
Study Section
Somatosensory and Chemosensory Systems Study Section (SCS)
Program Officer
Oshinsky, Michael L
Project Start
2014-09-30
Project End
2019-07-31
Budget Start
2015-08-01
Budget End
2016-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
$342,344
Indirect Cost
$123,594
Name
Drexel University
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
002604817
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19104
Mei, Yixiao; Barrett, James E; Hu, Huijuan (2018) Calcium release-activated calcium channels and pain. Cell Calcium 74:180-185
Dou, Yannong; Xia, Jingsheng; Gao, Ruby et al. (2018) Orai1 Plays a Crucial Role in Central Sensitization by Modulating Neuronal Excitability. J Neurosci 38:887-900
Dou, Yannong; Luo, Jinque; Wu, Xin et al. (2018) Curcumin attenuates collagen-induced inflammatory response through the ""gut-brain axis"". J Neuroinflammation 15:6
Wei, Dongyu; Mei, Yixiao; Xia, Jingsheng et al. (2017) Orai1 and Orai3 Mediate Store-Operated Calcium Entry Contributing to Neuronal Excitability in Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons. Front Cell Neurosci 11:400
Munoz, Frances M; Gao, Ruby; Tian, Yuzhen et al. (2017) Neuronal P2X7 receptor-induced reactive oxygen species production contributes to nociceptive behavior in mice. Sci Rep 7:3539
Gao, Xinghua; Xia, Jingsheng; Munoz, Frances M et al. (2016) STIMs and Orai1 regulate cytokine production in spinal astrocytes. J Neuroinflammation 13:126
Munoz, Frances; Hu, Huijuan (2016) The Role of Store-operated Calcium Channels in Pain. Adv Pharmacol 75:139-51
Gao, X H; Gao, R; Tian, Y Z et al. (2015) A store-operated calcium channel inhibitor attenuates collagen-induced arthritis. Br J Pharmacol 172:2991-3002
Gao, Ruby; Gao, Xinghua; Xia, Jingsheng et al. (2013) Potent analgesic effects of a store-operated calcium channel inhibitor. Pain 154:2034-2044