Toklucu, I. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2024

Molecular architecture of human dermal sleeping nociceptors

Human dermal sleeping nociceptors display ongoing activity in neuropathic pain, affecting 10% of the population. Despite advances in rodents, a molecular marker for these mechano-insensitive C-fibers (CMis) in human skin remains elusive, preventing targeted therapy. In this translational Patch-seq study, we combine single-cell transcriptomics following electrophysiological characterization with single-nucleus and spatial transcriptomics from pigs and humans. We functionally identified CMis in pig sensory neurons with patch-clamp using adapted protocols from human microneurography. We identified oncostatin-M-receptor (OSMR) and somatostatin (SST) as marker genes for CMis. Following dermal injection in healthy human volunteers, oncostatin-M, the ligand of OSMR, exclusively modulates CMis. We identified the entire molecular architecture of human dermal sleeping nociceptors, providing new therapeutic targets and the basis for a mechanistic understanding of neuropathic pain. One Sentence SummaryWe identify the molecular architecture and specifically OSMR and SST as molecular markers for human dermal sleeping nociceptors, key players in the generation of neuropathic pain. Short versionIn this Patch-seq study, we identify OSMR and SST as molecular markers for human dermal sleeping nociceptors, key players in the generation of neuropathic pain.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2022

Diclofenac and other Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are Competitive Antagonists of the human P2X3 Receptor

The P2X3 receptor (P2X3R), an ATP-gated non-selective cation channel of the P2X receptor family, is expressed in sensory neurons and involved in nociception. P2X3R inhibition was shown to reduce chronic and neuropathic pain. In a previous screening of 2000 approved drugs, natural products and bioactive substances, various non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were found to inhibit P2X3R-mediated currents. To investigate whether the inhibition of P2X receptors contributes to the analgesic effect of NSAIDs, we characterized the potency and selectivity of various NSAIDs at P2X3R and other P2XR subtypes using two-electrode voltage clamp electrophysiology. We identified diclofenac as a hP2X3R and hP2X2/3R antagonist with micromolar potency (with IC50 values of 138.2 {micro}M and 76.7 {micro}M, respectively). A weaker inhibition of hP2X1R, hP2X4R and hP2X7R by diclofenac was determined. Flufenamic acid (FFA) proved to inhibit hP2X3R, rP2X3R and hP2X7R (IC50 values of 221{micro}M, 264.1{micro}M and [~] 900{micro}M, respectively), questioning its widespread use as a nonselective ion channel blocker, when P2XR-mediated currents are under study. Inhibition of the hP2X3R or hP2X2/3R by diclofenac could be overcome by prolonged ATP-application or increasing concentrations of the agonist ,{beta}-meATP, respectively, indicating competition of diclofenac and the agonists. Molecular dynamics simulation showed that diclofenac largely overlaps with ATP bound to the open state of the hP2X3R. Our results strongly support a competitive antagonism through which diclofenac, by interacting with residues of the ATP-binding site, left flipper, and dorsal fin domains inhibits gating of P2X3R by conformational fixation of the left flipper and dorsal fin domains. In summary, we demonstrate the inhibition of the human P2X3 receptor by various NSAIDs. Diclofenac proved to be the most effective antagonist with a strong inhibition of hP2X3R and hP2X2/3R and a weaker inhibition of hP2X1R, hP2X4R and hP2X7R. Considering their involvement in nociception, inhibition of hP2X3R and hP2X2/3R by micromolar concentrations of diclofenac may contribute to the analgesic effect as well as the side effect of taste disturbances of diclofenac and represent an additional mode of action besides the well-known high potency COX inhibition.

pharmacology and toxicology↗