Suppression of inflammatory and neuropathic pain by uncoupling CRMP-2 from the presynaptic Ca²⁺ channel complex.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

The use of N-type voltage-gated calcium channel (CaV2.2) blockers to treat pain is limited by many physiological side effects. Here we report that inflammatory and neuropathic hypersensitivity can be suppressed by inhibiting the binding of collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP-2) to CaV2.2 and thereby reducing channel function. A peptide of CRMP-2 fused to the HIV transactivator of transcription (TAT) protein (TAT-CBD3) decreased neuropeptide release from sensory neurons and excitatory synaptic transmission in dorsal horn neurons, reduced meningeal blood flow, reduced nocifensive behavior induced by formalin injection or corneal capsaicin application and reversed neuropathic hypersensitivity produced by an antiretroviral drug. TAT-CBD3 was mildly anxiolytic without affecting memory retrieval, sensorimotor function or depression. At doses tenfold higher than that required to reduce hypersensitivity in vivo, TAT-CBD3 caused a transient episode of tail kinking and body contortion. By preventing CRMP-2-mediated enhancement of CaV2.2 function, TAT-CBD3 alleviated inflammatory and neuropathic hypersensitivity, an approach that may prove useful in managing chronic pain.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Brittain, JM; Duarte, DB; Wilson, SM; Zhu, W; Ballard, C; Johnson, PL; Liu, N; Xiong, W; Ripsch, MS; Wang, Y; Fehrenbacher, JC; Fitz, SD; Khanna, M; Park, C-K; Schmutzler, BS; Cheon, BM; Due, MR; Brustovetsky, T; Ashpole, NM; Hudmon, A; Meroueh, SO; Hingtgen, CM; Brustovetsky, N; Ji, R-R; Hurley, JH; Jin, X; Shekhar, A; Xu, X-M; Oxford, GS; Vasko, MR; White, FA; Khanna, R

Published Date

  • June 5, 2011

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 17 / 7

Start / End Page

  • 822 - 829

PubMed ID

  • 21642979

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC3219927

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1546-170X

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1038/nm.2345

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States