Detailseite
Projekt Druckansicht

Opioide in der Schmerzkontrolle durch M2 Makrophagen und M2 Mikroglia

Antragsteller Professor Dr. Christoph Stein, seit 6/2020
Fachliche Zuordnung Anästhesiologie
Förderung Förderung von 2018 bis 2021
Projektkennung Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 403233529
 
Erstellungsjahr 2021

Zusammenfassung der Projektergebnisse

IL-4 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine, which can be protective in inflammatory and neurologic disorders, and can alleviate pain. The beneficial actions of IL-4 are thought to result from decreasing the activity of inflammatory mediators, such as proinflammatory cytokines. In this project we demonstrated that, (a) IL-4 injection can reduce pain responses in an animal model via release of opioid peptides from immune cells (M1 macrophages) at injured nerves and (b) repeated IL-4 treatment induces M2 macrophages to continuously produce opioid peptides and ameliorate pain. As a model of neuropathic pain, we used chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve in male mice. Injured nerves were predominately infiltrated by proinflammatory M1 macrophages and IL-4 did not change their numbers or phenotype. These macrophages secreted opioid peptides after mobilization of calcium from intracellular stores. When IL-4 was applied repeatedly, antiinflammatory M2 macrophages synthesized opioid peptides continuously. These effects were accompanied by a long-lasting attenuation of neuropathy-induced mechanical pain responses. Fostering such opioid-mediated actions of macrophages may be a strategy to tackle pathological pain without eliciting adverse central side effects such as apnea or addiction.

Projektbezogene Publikationen (Auswahl)

 
 

Zusatzinformationen

Textvergrößerung und Kontrastanpassung