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Assessment of Morphine-induced Hyperalgesia and Analgesic Tolerance in Mice Using Thermal and Mechanical Nociceptive Modalities
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mTOR, a new potential target for chronic pain and opioid-induced tolerance and hyperalgesia

Brianna Marie Lutz1,2, Sam Nia2, Ming Xiong2

  • 1Rutgers Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA.

Molecular Pain
|May 31, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 drives chronic pain and opioid-induced side effects. mTOR inhibitors show promise for treating pain and reducing opioid tolerance and hyperalgesia.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Chronic pain affects public health, with limited effective treatments.
  • Opioids are common for chronic pain but can lead to tolerance and hyperalgesia.
  • The precise mechanisms of chronic pain and opioid-induced side effects are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 in chronic pain.
  • To compare the involvement of mTOR complex 1 in opioid-induced tolerance and hyperalgesia.
  • To explore the potential clinical applications of mTOR inhibitors for pain management.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on mTOR signaling in pain pathways.
  • Analysis of studies investigating mTOR complex 1 in chronic pain models.
  • Comparison of mTORC1's role in opioid tolerance and hyperalgesia development.

Main Results:

  • mTOR complex 1 and its downstream protein translation are crucial for initiating and maintaining chronic pain, including cancer pain.
  • mTOR complex 1 is also essential for the development of opioid tolerance and hyperalgesia.
  • This highlights a shared mechanistic pathway involving mTORC1 in pain and opioid-related disorders.

Conclusions:

  • mTOR complex 1 is a key mediator in chronic pain, opioid tolerance, and hyperalgesia.
  • FDA-approved mTOR inhibitors, already used in cancer treatment, may offer significant clinical benefits for pain.
  • Targeting mTORC1 presents a promising therapeutic strategy for managing chronic pain and mitigating opioid-induced adverse effects.

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