Chemokines, TRP Channels and Cancer Pain

University Of Iowa, Iowa City IA

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Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Sensory neurons express a variety of temperature-sensing ion channels belonging to the TRP family, including the TRPV1 channel, which is normally activated only at noxious temperatures (e43oC). TRPV1 have been suggested to play a key role in the sensation of inflammatory and arthritic pain, as well as in pain associated with cancers. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the initiation and maintenance of pain associated prostate cancer bone metastases are poorly understood. Here we propose a novel hypothesis on specific cross-talk between the metastatic prostate cancer cells in bone, as well as the tumor environment in the bone, and the adjacent sensory neurons. This cross-signaling is specifically mediated by distinct chemokine-induced sensitization and upregulation of TRPV1 activity and protein expression, which might underlie a mechanism of chronic pain associated with prostate cancer bone metastases. Our preliminary results show that two prominent chemokines, IL-8 and SDF-11, released at higher levels from bone- metastasized prostate cancer cells, as well as from the stromal/immune cells in the bone marrow, sensitize sensory neurons by enhancing TRPV1 channel activity in a phosphorylation-dependent manner, via activation of their respective receptors on sensory afferents. We also show that, sustained activation of these chemokine receptors in sensory neurons upregulate the expression of TRPV1 protein, and might decrease the temperature-activation threshold of the channel. As a result, these afferents can now be activated at below body temperatures, leading to constitutive nociceptor sensitization, a mechanism that could subserve chronic pain associated with prostate cancer bone metastases, experienced in the absence of any overt stimulation. We will utilize a scid mouse xenograft model of prostate cancer bone metastasis to quantitatively assay specific bone-related pain behaviors with gradual tumor growth/metastasis in bones. Aim 1 will determine the role of bone metastasis/tumor growth specific chemokines on the upregulation of TRPV1 channel function and protein expression, and nociceptor sensitization. Aim 2 will elucidate the specific intracellular signaling mechanisms underlying IL-8- and SDF-11-induced acute and sustained sensitization of TRPV1. Aim 3 will determine the role of chemokine-mediated modulation of TRPV1 in sensory afferents on chronic pain sensitization in scid mice with xenografts of human prostate cancer cells that metastasize to bones. The proposed studies will advance our understanding of how the coordinated interplay between cancer cells, bone microenvironment and sensory neurons in metastatic bone cancers, initiates and sustains chronic pain sensitization. The results will suggest new therapies for pain associated with metastatic bone cancers.