An orexin-receptor-2-mediated heart-brain axis in cardiac pain

Orexin is a neuropeptide released from hypothalamus regulating feeding, sleeping, arousal, and cardiovascular activity. Past research has demonstrated that orexin receptor 2 (OX2R) agonist infusion in the brain results in sympathoexcitatory responses. Here, we found that epicardial administration of OX2R agonism leads to opposite responses. We proved that OX2R is expressed mainly in DRG neurons and transported to sensory nerve endings innervating the heart. In a capsaicin-induced cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex (CSAR) model, we recorded the calcium influx in DRG neurons, measured heart rate variability, and examined the PVN c-Fos activity to prove that epicardial OX2R agonism administration could attenuate capsaicin-induced CSAR. We further showed that OX2R agonism could partially rescue acute myocardial infarction by reducing sympathetic overactivation. Our data indicate that epicardial application of OX2R agonist exerts a cardioprotective effect by attenuating CSAR. This OX2R-mediated heart-brain axis may provide therapeutic targets for acute cardiovascular diseases.