64 research outputs found
Identification of MOR-positive B cell as possible innovative biomarker (Mu lympho-marker) for chronic pain diagnosis in patients with fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis diseases
Fibromyalgia (FM) diagnosis follows the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, based on clinical evaluation and written questionnaires without any objective diagnostic tool. The lack of specific biomarkers is a tragic aspect for FM and chronic pain diseases in general. Interestingly, the endogenous opioid system is close to the immune one because of the expression of opioid receptors on lymphocytes membrane. Here we analyzed the role of the Mu opioid receptor on B lymphocytes as a specific biomarker for FM and osteoarthritis (OA) patients. We enrolled three groups of females: FM patients, OA patients (chronic pain control group) and healthy subjects (pain-free negative control group). We collected blood samples to apply immunophenotyping analysis. Written tests were administrated for psychological analysis. Data were statistically analyzed. Final results showed that the percentage of Mu-positive B cells were statistically lower in FM and OA patients than in pain-free subjects. A low expression of Mu-positive B cell was not associated with the psychological characteristics investigated. In conclusion, here we propose the percentage of Mu-positive B cells as a biological marker for an objective diagnosis of chronic pain suffering patients, also contributing to the legitimacy of FM as a truly painful disease
Identification of MOR-Positive B Cell as Possible Innovative Biomarker (Mu Lympho-Marker) for Chronic Pain Diagnosis in Patients with Fibromyalgia and Osteoarthritis Diseases
Fibromyalgia (FM) diagnosis follows the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria,
based on clinical evaluation and written questionnaires without any objective diagnostic tool. The lack
of specific biomarkers is a tragic aspect for FM and chronic pain diseases in general. Interestingly, the
endogenous opioid system is close to the immune one because of the expression of opioid receptors
on lymphocytes membrane. Here we analyzed the role of the Mu opioid receptor on B lymphocytes
as a specific biomarker for FM and osteoarthritis (OA) patients. We enrolled three groups of females:
FM patients, OA patients (chronic pain control group) and healthy subjects (pain-free negative control
group). We collected blood samples to apply immunophenotyping analysis. Written tests were
administrated for psychological analysis. Data were statistically analyzed. Final results showed
that the percentage of Mu-positive B cells were statistically lower in FM and OA patients than in
pain-free subjects. A low expression of Mu-positive B cell was not associated with the psychological
characteristics investigated. In conclusion, here we propose the percentage of Mu-positive B cells as a
biological marker for an objective diagnosis of chronic pain suffering patients, also contributing to the
legitimacy of FM as a truly painful disease
An observational study on chronic pain biomarkers in fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis patients:.which role for mu opioid receptor’s expression on NK cells.
The evaluation of chronic pain is challenging because of the lack of specific biomarkers. We identified the Mu opioid receptor-positive (Mu+) B cell percentage of expression, named Mu-Lympho-Marker (MLM), as a candidate marker for chronic pain in fibromyalgia (FM) and osteoarthritis (OA) patients. Here, we investigate the role of MLM on natural killer (NK) cells in the same patients. Twenty-nine FM and twelve OA patients were analyzed, and twenty-three pain-free subjects were considered as the control group. Blood samples were collected to perform immunophenotyping and Western blot analysis. Biological and clinical data were statistically analyzed. The final results showed that the percentage of NK cells expressing Mu was statistically lower in FM and OA patients than in pain-free subjects, as already demonstrated for B cells. A Western blot analysis was performed in order to detect NK cells' functional status. Moreover, the correlation analysis of MLM expression with pharmacological therapy did not show any significant results. In conclusion, here, we confirm the role of MLM as a suitable marker for chronic pain and underline NK cells as a new possible immune cell type involved in the "Mu opioid receptor reserve theory"
Pain assessment in animal models: do we need further studies?
In the last two decades, animal models have become important tools in understanding and treating pain, and in predicting analgesic efficacy. Although rodent models retain a dominant role in the study of pain mechanisms, large animal models may predict human biology and pharmacology in certain pain conditions more accurately. Taking into consideration the anatomical and physiological characteristics common to man and pigs (median body size, digestive apparatus, number, size, distribution and communication of vessels in dermal skin, epidermal–dermal junctions, the immunoreactivity of peptide nerve fibers, distribution of nociceptive and non-nociceptive fiber classes, and changes in axonal excitability), swines seem to provide the most suitable animal model for pain assessment. Locomotor function, clinical signs, and measurements (respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, electromyography), behavior (bright/quiet, alert, responsive, depressed, unresponsive), plasma concentration of substance P and cortisol, vocalization, lameness, and axon reflex vasodilatation by laser Doppler imaging have been used to assess pain, but none of these evaluations have proved entirely satisfactory. It is necessary to identify new methods for evaluating pain in large animals (particularly pigs), because of their similarities to humans. This could lead to improved assessment of pain and improved analgesic treatment for both humans and laboratory animals
“THERMAL NOCICEPTION STUDIES IN ZEBRAFISH”
Background
Nociception was defined by Sherrington as the mechanism used to
sense painful events. Despite the value of current animal models for
nociception and pain, we have not yet understood in full how these
mechanisms operate.
Aim
Here we propose a novel approach using zebrafish (Danio rerio)
larvae in order to determine if the fish is suitable for the study of pain
stimuli. Taking advantage of the fact that, in response to noxious
stimuli, the expression of several genes in mammals is induced in
neurons of the spinal cord and the dorsal root ganglia (DRG), we
investigated if such mechanism is evolutionary conserved in the
Zebrafish.
Materials and Methods
We cloned homologues of mammals pain marker genes (PMGs) in the
fish and we tested their expression after painful stimuli. Thus, we
determined an easy and ubiquitous method of noxious stimuli
induction in 5dpf larvae by heat shock. We quantitatively assayed
these larvae for over-expression of the PMGs by real-time PCRs, to
determine if any of these genes is up regulated in specific time points.
In another set of experiments we tested, by in situ hybridization, the
localization of the PGMs over-expression in the larvae. To confirm the
up-regulation of these genes is pain related we looked for the possible
heat receptor that could mediate such sensation. Thus, we cloned
Zebrafish trpv1, analyzed the expression pattern, tested its function
with loss of function experiment and by analysis of changes in
intracellular calcium levels after various painful stimuli in HEK293T cell
line.
Results and Conclusions
These experiments show peculiar over-expression of all the PMGs in
time and space, in particular they are expressed in what are probably
the spinal cord and the DGR. We cloned and studied trpv1 as a good
candidate for heat sensation mediation. However, zebrafish trpv1
responds only to low pH when tested in human cell line. Thus, we
need further in vivo analysis to determine if trpv1 cooperates with
other factors to mediate noxious heat in zebrafish
The zebrafish as a model for nociception studies.
Nociception is the sensory mechanism used to detect cues that can harm an organism. The understanding of the neural networks and molecular controls of the reception of pain remains an ongoing challenge for biologists. While we have made significant progress in identifying a number of molecules and pathways that are involved in transduction of noxious stimuli, from the skin through the sensory receptor cell and from this to the spinal cord on into the central nervous system, we still lack a clear understanding of the perceptual processes, the responses to pain and the regulation of pain perception. Mice and rat animal models have been extensively used for nociception studies. However, the study of pain and noiception in these organisms can be rather laborious, costly and time consuming. Conversely, the use of Drosophila and Caenorhabditis elegans may be affected by the large evolutionary distance between these animals and humans. We outline here the reasons why zebrafish presents a new and attractive model for studying pain reception and responses and the most interesting findings in the study of nociception that have been obtained using the zebrafish model
Concepts and tools for exploiting sessile bio-filters as early warning elements: introductory applications for marine ecosystem preservation
Current evidence suggests that integrating diverse warning systems at different biological levels may not only increase the probability of detecting threats but also mitigate their impact. Here, we propose the use of both molecular and morphological descriptors at different biological levels in sessile bivalves (a suitable biological model in monitoring programs) to collect information on the ecosystem health of coastal marine habitats. In this context, studies may be implemented on biomarkers to exploit some population features, with the aim to propose an actual monitoring program that predictively would provide possible scenarios on the species fitness and ecosystem changes. Thus, the use of quality biotic elements may provide an objective environmental monitoring method and facilitate the development of sanitary, economic, and social strategies related to sustainable exploitation
Using 3D virtual surfaces to investigate molluscan shell shape
Noninvasive methods in shell shape variation may help to understand evolution, ecology, stress and role of molluscan in aquatic ecosystems. Imaging analysis is a suitable diagnostic tool in morphological studies to (1) evaluate the health status of investigated animals, and (2) monitor sea coastal habitats. We introduce the feasibility of the cone-beam computed tomography as an optimal technique for 3D surface scanning to obtain virtual valve surfaces of Mytilus galloprovincialis, and analyze them exploiting the geometric morphometric facilities. Statistical output revealed morphological difference between mussels coming from different extensive rearing systems highlighting how the entire valve surface contributed to discriminate between groups when we compared 2- and 3D analyses. Many factors drive the morphological differences observed in the valve shape variation between the two sites, such as geographical genetic differentiation, natural environmental effects and culture conditions. The simplicity of the proposed methodology avoids damage and handling of individuals, makes this approach useful for morphological data collection, and helps to detect detrimental agents for sea ecosystems by using molluscans
The Hydra regeneration assay reveals ecological risks in running waters: a new proposal to detect environmental teratogenic threats
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