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1.
TRP-channel-specific cutaneous eicosanoid release patterns.
Jain, A, Brönneke, S, Kolbe, L, Stäb, F, Wenck, H, Neufang, G
Pain. 2011;(12):2765-2772
Abstract
Analyzing mechanisms and key players in peripheral nociception nonneuronal skin cells are getting more and more into focus. Herein we investigated the functional expression of TRPV1 and TRPA1 in human keratinocytes and fibroblasts and assessed proinflammatory lipid mediator release upon their stimulation as well as sensory effects after topical application, combining in vitro and in vivo approaches. In vitro, the expression of functional TRPV1 and TRPA1 channels on fibroblasts and keratinocytes was confirmed via immunofluorescence, qualitative real time (RT) polymerase chain reaction, and cellular Ca(2+) influx measurements. Additionally, the agonists allyl isothiocyanate (TRPA1) and capsaicin (TRPV1) induce a differential secretion pattern of the eicosanoids PGE(2) and LTB(4) in human dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes, which was also detectable invivo, analyzing suction blister fluid at various times after short-term topical application. Capsaicin provoked the release of LTB(4) at 2 and 24 hours. In contrast, PGE(2) levels were reduced upon stimulation. Allyl isothiocyanate, however, increased PGE(2) levels only at 24 hours, but did not alter LTB(4) levels. In parallel, heat pain thresholds were reduced by both agents after short-term topical application, but only AITC provoked a long-lasting local erythema. In conclusion, the agonist-induced activation of nociceptors by TRPA1 and TRPV1 elicits painful sensations, whereas nonneuronal tissue cells respond with differential release of inflammatory mediators, thus influencing local vasodilatation and neuronal sensitization. These results have implications for the application of transient receptor potential antagonists to improve inflammatory skin conditions and pain management.
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2.
Ca2+ current versus Ca2+ channel cooperativity of exocytosis.
Matveev, V, Bertram, R, Sherman, A
The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience. 2009;(39):12196-209
Abstract
Recently there has been significant interest and progress in the study of spatiotemporal dynamics of Ca(2+) that triggers exocytosis at a fast chemical synapse, which requires understanding the contribution of individual calcium channels to the release of a single vesicle. Experimental protocols provide insight into this question by probing the sensitivity of exocytosis to Ca(2+) influx. While varying extracellular or intracellular Ca(2+) concentration assesses the intrinsic biochemical Ca(2+) cooperativity of neurotransmitter release, varying the number of open Ca(2+) channels using pharmacological channel block or the tail current titration probes the cooperativity between individual Ca(2+) channels in triggering exocytosis. Despite the wide use of these Ca(2+) sensitivity measurements, their interpretation often relies on heuristic arguments. Here we provide a detailed analysis of the Ca(2+) sensitivity measures probed by these experimental protocols, present simple expressions for special cases, and demonstrate the distinction between the Ca(2+) current cooperativity, defined by the relationship between exocytosis rate and the whole-terminal Ca(2+) current magnitude, and the underlying Ca(2+) channel cooperativity, defined as the average number of channels involved in the release of a single vesicle. We find simple algebraic expressions that show that the two are different but linearly related. Further, we use three-dimensional computational modeling of buffered Ca(2+) diffusion to analyze these distinct Ca(2+) cooperativity measures, and demonstrate the role of endogenous Ca(2+) buffers on such measures. We show that buffers can either increase or decrease the Ca(2+) current cooperativity of exocytosis, depending on their concentration and the single-channel Ca(2+) current.
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3.
Role of TRPM8 and TRPA1 for cold allodynia in patients with cold injury.
Namer, B, Kleggetveit, IP, Handwerker, H, Schmelz, M, Jorum, E
Pain. 2008;(1):63-72
Abstract
Local cold injury often induces hypersensitivity to cold and cold allodynia. Sensitisation of TRPM8 or TRPA1 could be the underlying mechanisms. This was evaluated by psychophysics and axon-reflex-flare induction following topical menthol and cinnamaldehyde application in cold injury patients and healthy subjects. The patients had no signs of neuropathy except cold allodynia. We applied 20% cinnamaldehyde and 40% menthol solutions in the cold-allodynic area of the patients and in a corresponding area in healthy subjects and obtained sensory ratings during application. Thermotesting and Laser Doppler Imaging were performed before and after exposure to the compounds. Menthol did not induce axon-reflex-erythema in patients or in controls. After menthol cold pain threshold was decreased in healthy subjects; however, no further sensitisation was observed in the patients moreover in some patients an amelioration of their cold allodynia was observed. Cinnamaldehyde-induced pain sensation did not differ between patients and controls. Heat pain thresholds following cinnamaldehyde were lowered to a similar extent in patients and controls (43-39.8 and 44-39 degrees C) and also the axon-reflex-flare responses were comparable. No evidence for sensitisation of responses to TRPM8 or TRPA1-stimulation was found in patients with cold injury-induced cold allodynia. The lack of TRPM8 induced axon-reflex indicates that also de-novo expression of TRPM8 on mechano-insensitive C-nociceptors does not underlie cold allodynia in these patients. We conclude from these data that the mechanisms for the induction of cold allodynia in the patients with cold injury are independent of TRPM8 or TRPA1 and differ therefore from neuropathic pain patients.
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4.
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 and episodic ataxia type 2: differences and similarities between two allelic disorders.
Mantuano, E, Veneziano, L, Jodice, C, Frontali, M
Cytogenetic and genome research. 2003;(1-4):147-53
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6) is one of three allelic disorders caused by mutations of CACNA1A gene, coding for the pore-forming subunit of calcium channel type P/Q. SCA6 is associated with small expansions of a CAG repeat at the 3' end of the gene, while point mutations are responsible for its two allelic disorders (Episodic Ataxia type 2 and Familial Hemiplegic Migraine). Genetic, clinical, pathological and pathophysiological data of SCA6 patients are reviewed and compared to those of other SCAs with expanded CAG repeats as well as to those of its allelic channelopathies, with particular reference to Episodic Ataxia type 2. Overall SCA6 appears to share features with both types of disorders, and the question as to whether it belongs to polyglutamine disorders or to channelopathies remains unanswered at present.
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5.
Effect of lacidipine and nifedipine GITS on platelet function in patients with essential hypertension.
Armas-Padilla, MC, Armas-Hernández, MJ, Hernández-Hernández, R, Velasco, M, Pacheco, B, Carvajal, AR, Castillo-Moreno, A
Journal of human hypertension. 2000;:S91-5
Abstract
With the aim of evaluating the effects on blood pressure, platelet function and insulin sensitivity of the dihydropiridines lacidipine and nifedipine GITS, a parallel double-blind study was carried out in a group of 20 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. They received a placebo for 4 weeks; then were divided at random into two groups of 10 patients each. Nifedipine GITS, 30 mg and lacidipine, 4 mg, were given during 16 weeks of active treatment. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured at the clinic in supine, sitting and standing positions, 24 +/- 1 h after the last dose. After the placebo and active phases were carried out, a platelet aggregation test was performed to determine platelet malondialdehyde production and a tolerance to 100 g of glucose by measuring glucaemia and plasma insulin. Both drugs reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure at the same level, however there were observable differences in the rate of reduction. The nifedipine GITS reduced supine systolic blood pressure by 25 mm Hg in the first week, while the lacidipine did so by 11 mm Hg. At the end of the study period nifedipine reduced supine systolic blood pressure by 28 mm Hg and lacidipine by 20 mm Hg. Heart rate was increased slightly but significantly in the nifedipine GITS group only in the standing position. Both drugs reduced platelet aggregation ex vivo only marginally but they modified the malondialdehyde production, indicating an action on the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway.