Sustained morphine-mediated pain sensitization and antinociceptive tolerance are blocked by intrathecal treatment with Raf-1-selective siRNA.

TitleSustained morphine-mediated pain sensitization and antinociceptive tolerance are blocked by intrathecal treatment with Raf-1-selective siRNA.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2010
AuthorsTumati S, Roeske WR, Largent-Milnes T, Wang R, Vanderah TW, Varga EV
JournalBr J Pharmacol
Volume161
Issue1
Pagination51-64
Date Published2010 Sep
ISSN1476-5381
KeywordsAnimals, Hyperalgesia, Injections, Spinal, Male, MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases, Morphine, Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf, Rats, Rats, Sprague-Dawley, RNA, Small Interfering, Spinal Cord
Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Long-term morphine treatment enhances pain neurotransmitter [such as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)] levels in the spinal cord. It has been suggested previously that increased spinal CGRP may contribute to sustained morphine-mediated paradoxical pain sensitization and antinociceptive tolerance. Previous in vitro studies from our group indicated that Raf-1 kinase-mediated adenylyl cyclase superactivation played a crucial role in sustained morphine-mediated augmentation of basal and evoked CGRP release from cultured primary sensory neurons. The present study was aimed to evaluate the physiological significance of this molecular mechanism in vivo, in rats.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Rats were intrathecally (i.th) injected with a Raf-1-selective small interfering RNA (siRNA) mixture for 3 days and were subsequently infused with saline or morphine, s.c. for 7 days. Thermal and mechanical sensory thresholds of the animals were assessed by daily behavioural tests. After final behavioural testing (day 6), spinal cords were isolated from each animal group and spinal CGRP and Raf-1 protein levels were measured using elisa and immunohistochemistry.

KEY RESULTS: Selective knockdown of spinal Raf-1 protein levels by i.th Raf-1-selective siRNA pretreatment significantly attenuated sustained morphine-mediated up-regulation of CGRP immunoreactivity in the spinal cord of rats and prevented the development of thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical allodynia and antinociceptive tolerance.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Raf-1 played a significant role in sustained morphine-mediated paradoxical pain sensitization and antinociceptive tolerance in vivo. These findings suggest novel pharmacological approaches to improve the long-term utility of opioids in the treatment of chronic pain.

DOI10.1111/j.1476-5381.2010.00869.x
Alternate JournalBr. J. Pharmacol.
PubMed ID20718739
PubMed Central IDPMC2962816
Grant ListP01 DA006284 / DA / NIDA NIH HHS / United States
R01 GM065465 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
DA 06284 / DA / NIDA NIH HHS / United States
GM065465 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
Faculty Member Reference: 
Tally Largent-Milnes, PhD
Todd Vanderah, PhD