Antinociceptive effect of antisense oligonucleotides against the vanilloid receptor VR1/TRPV1

Thomas Christoph1, Clemens Gillen, Joanna Mika

  • 1Research & Development, Grünenthal GmbH, Zieglerstr. 6, 52078 Aachen, Germany. thomas.christoph@grunenthal.de

Insights

Researchers investigated the vanilloid receptor TRPV1

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Neuropathic pain is a debilitating condition.
  • The vanilloid receptor TRPV1 is implicated in pain signaling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the therapeutic potential of targeting TRPV1 for neuropathic pain relief.
  • To assess the efficacy of a TRPV1 antagonist and an antisense oligonucleotide.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a rat model of spinal nerve ligation.
  • Employed RNase H assay and Cos-7 cell cotransfection studies.
  • Administered thioxo-BCTC (TRPV1 antagonist) and TRPV1 antisense oligonucleotide.

Main Results:

  • Both TRPV1 antagonist and antisense oligonucleotide significantly reduced mechanical hypersensitivity.
  • Identified effective antisense oligonucleotide binding sites on TRPV1 mRNA.
  • Observed regulation of TRPV1 protein expression in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia.

Conclusions:

  • TRPV1 antagonist and antisense oligonucleotide demonstrate comparable analgesic effects.
  • TRPV1 is a validated and promising therapeutic target for neuropathic pain.

Related Concept Videos

Nociception01:44

Nociception

Nociception—the ability to feel pain—is essential for an organism’s survival and overall well-being. Noxious stimuli such as piercing pain from a sharp object, heat from an open flame, or contact with corrosive chemicals are first detected by sensory receptors, called nociceptors, located on nerve endings. Nociceptors express ion channels that convert noxious stimuli into electrical signals. When these signals reach the brain via sensory neurons, they are perceived as pain. Thus, pain helps the...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists01:28

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists

Neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptors are distributed across the GI tract, vagal afferents, and key CNS regions including the central vomiting center and chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) Chemotherapy agents stimulate enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to release large amounts of substance P (SP). SP is a neuropeptide released by specific sensory nerves in response to many different stressors, including those in the GI mucosa affected by chemotherapy.  SP binds and activates these...
Analgesia and Pain Management01:25

Analgesia and Pain Management

Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids01:21

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a phytocannabinoid that primarily interacts with the CB1 receptor, a type of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) predominantly in and around the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) and emetic center. THC also blocks the serotonin receptor activity in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) by inhibiting serotonin release. THC exerts its anti-emetic effects through these interactions, which are beneficial for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...
Local Anesthetics: Differential Sensitivity of Nerve Fibers01:24

Local Anesthetics: Differential Sensitivity of Nerve Fibers

Local anesthetics (LAs) block the sodium channels of nerve trunks, sensory nerve endings, and neuromuscular junctions. Although LAs can block all kinds of nerves, the sensitivity of nerve fibers differs according to nerve types and structures. LAs are known to block myelinated fibers faster than unmyelinated ones. Also, they block pain or sensory neurons at low concentrations without affecting the motor neurons involved in muscle contractions. This helps relieve labor pain without affecting the...
Opioid Receptors: Overview01:22

Opioid Receptors: Overview

Opioid receptors, including the mu (μ, MOR), delta (δ, DOR), and kappa (κ, KOR) types, belong to the rhodopsin family of G protein-coupled receptors. These receptors are located throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems and in non-neuronal tissues such as macrophages and astrocytes. Opioid receptor ligands can be categorized into agonists or antagonists. Highly selective agonists include [d-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly(ol)5]-enkephalin or DAMGO for MOR, [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]-enkephalin or DPDPE for...