Mechanosensitive meningeal nociception via Piezo channels: Implications for pulsatile pain in migraine?
Latest updated: February 21, 2022Nikita Mikhailov, Jarkko Leskinen, Ilkka Fagerlund, Ekaterina Poguzhelskaya, Raisa Giniatullina, Oleg Gafurov, Tarja Malm, Tero Karjalainen, Olli Gröhn,Rashid Giniatullin
Neuropharmacology,Volume 149, 1 May 2019, Pages 113-123
Abstract
Background
Recent discovery of mechanosensitive Piezo receptors in trigeminal gangliasuggested the novel molecular candidate for generation of migraine pain. However, the contribution of Piezo channels in migraine pathology was not tested yet. Therefore, in this study, we explored a potential involvement of Piezo channels in peripheral trigeminal nociception implicated in generation of migraine pain.
Methods
We used immunohistochemistry, calcium imaging, calcitonin gene related peptide(CGRP) release assay and electrophysiology in mouse and rat isolated trigeminal neurons and rat hemiskulls to study action of various stimulants of Piezo receptors on migraine-related peripheral nociception.
Results
We found that essential (35%) fraction of isolated rat trigeminal neurons responded to chemical Piezo1 agonist Yoda1 and about a half of Yoda1 positive neurons responded to hypo-osmotic solution (HOS) and a quarter to mechanical stimulation by focused ultrasound (US). In ex vivo hemiskull preparation, Yoda1 and HOS largely activated persistent nociceptive firing in meningeal branches of trigeminal nerve. By using our novel cluster analysis of pain spikes, we demonstrated that 42% of fibers responded to Piezo1 agonist and 20% of trigeminal fibers were activated by Yoda1 and by capsaicin, suggesting expression of Piezo receptors in TRPV1 positive peptidergic nociceptive nerve fibers. Consistent with this, Yoda1 promoted the release of the key migraine mediator CGRP from hemiskull preparation.
Conclusion
Taken together, our data suggest the involvement of mechanosensitive Piezo receptors, in particular, Piezo1 subtype in peripheral trigeminal nociception, which provides a new view on mechanotransduction in migraine pathology and suggests novel molecular targets for anti-migraine medicine.