Genetic enhancement of calcitonin gene-related Peptide-induced central sensitization to mechanical stimuli in mice

• Published in: The journal of pain Vol. 10; no. 9; p. 992
• Main Authors: Marquez de Prado, Blanca, Hammond, Donna L, Russo, Andrew F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-09-2009
• Subjects: Animals; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide - metabolism; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide - pharmacology; Capsaicin - pharmacology; Central Nervous System - drug effects; Central Nervous System - metabolism; Central Nervous System - physiopathology; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Gene Expression Regulation - genetics; Hyperalgesia - genetics; Hyperalgesia - metabolism; Hyperalgesia - physiopathology; Intermediate Filament Proteins - genetics; Intermediate Filament Proteins - metabolism; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - genetics; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - metabolism; Male; Membrane Proteins - genetics; Membrane Proteins - metabolism; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Transgenic; Nerve Tissue Proteins - genetics; Nerve Tissue Proteins - metabolism; Nestin; Pain Measurement; Pain Threshold - drug effects; Pain Threshold - physiology; Peptide Fragments - pharmacology; Physical Stimulation; Receptor Activity-Modifying Protein 1; Receptor Activity-Modifying Proteins; Sensory System Agents - pharmacology
• ISSN: 1528-8447
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2009.03.018

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a key player in migraine. To address the role of CGRP in mechanical allodynia, which is a common feature of migraine, we used CGRP-sensitized transgenic mice. These mice have elevated nervous-system expression of the human receptor activity-modifying protein-1 (hRAMP1) subunit of the CGRP receptor. Under baseline conditions, the nestin/hRAMP1 mice and control littermates had similar hindpaw withdrawal thresholds to von Frey filaments. The effect of CGRP was tested using a filament that elicited a withdrawal response on 20% of its presentations. Following intrathecal injection of 1 nmol CGRP in the nestin/hRAMP1 mice, the response frequency was 80% within 30 minutes. The antagonist CGRP(8-37) blocked the increased response. In control littermates, a 5-fold higher dose of CGRP was required to elicit a similar response. In contrast to intrathecal injection, peripheral CGRP did not increase the mechanical responses. Intraplantar injection of capsaicin was used to test the efficacy of endogenous CGRP. Capsaicin increased mechanical responses in the nestin/hRAMP1 and control mice, although a higher dose was required in controls. In contrast to control mice, there was also a contralateral paw response in nestin/hRAMP1 mice, which is consistent with central sensitization.
In this study we show central CGRP-induced mechanical allodynia that is enhanced by overexpression of RAMP1 in nervous system. These data suggest that hypersensitivity to CGRP could be a potential mechanism underlying central sensitization in migraine and point to CGRP-receptor antagonists as a possible therapy for other pain disorders.