IMR Press / JIN / Volume 23 / Issue 3 / DOI: 10.31083/j.jin2303047
Open Access Original Research
Netrin-1 Role in Nociceptive Neuron Sprouting through Activation of DCC Signaling in a Rat Model of Bone Cancer Pain
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1 Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 200030 Shanghai, China
2 School of Medicine, Shanghai University, 200444 Shanghai, China
3 Central Laboratory, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 200030 Shanghai, China
*Correspondence: yoyo1976@shu.edu.cn (Xingji You); wjx1132@163.com (Jingxiang Wu)
These authors contributed equally.
J. Integr. Neurosci. 2024, 23(3), 47; https://doi.org/10.31083/j.jin2303047
Submitted: 24 August 2023 | Revised: 13 September 2023 | Accepted: 21 September 2023 | Published: 27 February 2024
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Migraine and Neuropathic Pain)
Copyright: © 2024 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.
This is an open access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Abstract

Background: Bone cancer pain (BCP) is a common primary or metastatic bone cancer complication. Netrin-1 plays an essential role in neurite elongation and pain sensitization. This study aimed to determine the role of netrin-1 from the metastatic bone microenvironment in BCP development and identify the associated signaling pathway for the strategy of BCP management. Methods: The rat BCP model was established by intratibial implantation of Walker 256 cells. Von Frey filaments measured the mechanical pain threshold. Movement-induced pain was assessed using limb use scores. Expressions of associated molecules in the affected tibias or dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were measured by immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, or western blotting. Transduction of deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) signaling was inhibited by intrathecal injection of DCC-siRNA. Results: In BCP rats, the presence of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-positive nerve fibers increased in the metastatic bone lesions. The metastatic site showed enrichment of well-differentiated osteoclasts and expressions of netrin-1 and its attractive receptor DCC. Upregulation of DCC and increased phosphorylation levels of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and Rac family small GTPase 1/Cell division cycle 42 (Rac1/Cdc42) were found in the DRG. Intrathecal administration of DCC-siRNA led to a significant reduction in FAK and Rac1/Cdc42 phosphorylation levels in the DRG, decreased nociceptive nerve innervation, and improved pain behaviors. Conclusions: Netrin-1 may contribute to the activation of the BCP by inducing nociceptive nerve innervation and improving pain behaviors.

Keywords
bone cancer pain
netrin-1
DCC
FAK
Rac1/Cdc42
CGRP
axonal guidance
neurite elongation
nociception
Funding
82071233/National Natural Science Foundation of China
21YF1442900/Shanghai Sailing Program
Figures
Fig. 1.
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