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- Title
DNMT3a methylation in neuropathic pain.
- Authors
Cuijie Shao; Yong Gao; Dan Jin; Xin Xu; Shuying Tan; Hui Yu; Qingxiang Zhao; Li Zhao; Wansheng Wang; Deqiang Wang
- Abstract
Background: Mu opioid receptor (MOR) plays a crucial role in mediating analgesic effects of opioids and is closely associated with the pathologies of neuropathic pain. Previous studies have reported that peripheral nerve injury downregulates MOR expression, but the epigenetic mechanisms remain unknown. Objective: Therefore, we investigated DNA methyltransferase3a (DNMT3a) expression or methylation changes within MOR promoter in the spinal cord in a neuropathic pain induced by a chronic constriction injury (CCI) mouse model and further determined whether these injuryassociated changes are reversible by pharmacological interventions. Methods: A CCI mouse model was established and tissue specimens of lumbar spinal cords were collected. The nociception threshold was evaluated by a Model Heated 400 Base. DNMT3a and MOR mRNA and protein level were detected by real-time-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively. Methylation of DNMT3a gene was measured by methylation-specific PCR. Results: Our data showed that chronic nerve injury led to a significant upregulation of DNMT3a expression that was associated with increased methylation of MOR gene promoter and decreased MOR protein expression in the spinal cord. Inhibition of DNMT3a catalytic activity with DNMT inhibitor RG108 significantly blocked the increase in methylation of the MOR promoter, and then upregulated MOR expression and attenuated thermal hyperalgesia in neuropathic pain mice. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that an increase of DNMT3a expression and MOR methylation epigenetically play an important role in neuropathic pain. Targeting DNMT3a to the promoter of MOR gene by DNMT inhibitor may be a promising approach to the development of new neuropathic pain therapy.
- Subjects
OPIOID receptors; DRUG receptors; ENDORPHIN receptors; CHRONIC pain; METHYLATION; NEUROPATHY
- Publication
Journal of Pain Research, 2017, Vol 10, p2253
- ISSN
1178-7090
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.2147/JPR.S130654