Arthritis and pain. Future targets to control osteoarthritis pain

Opioids and their receptors

Opioids have been a mainstay of chronic pain therapy for many years. They act at peripheral, spinal, and supraspinal sites through a variety of opioid receptors (mu-, delta-, and kappa-opioid receptors) [9]. Opioids used in the clinic, such as morphine, act via mu-opioid receptors to cause a variety of well documented side effects, including sedation, dysphoria, respiratory depression and constipation. However, opioid receptor activation in the periphery, which directly hyper-polarizes sensory neurones and attenuates nerve hyper-excitability caused by inflammation or injury [10, 11], raises the possibility of therapy with minimal central nervous system (CNS) side effects. In keeping with this, limited clinical trials of intra-articular delivery of morphine in OA support the concept of peripherally restricted opiate analgesia [12]. Furthermore, novel mu-opioid ligands, such as [8-(3,3-diphenyl-propyl)-4-oxo-1-phenyl-1,3,8-triaza spiro [4.5]dec-3-yl]-acetic acid (DiPOA) and the antidiarrheal drug loperamide, which also do not penetrate the blood brain barrier, have shown efficacy in a number of post operative, inflammatory and bone cancer pain models [13, 14].

Delta-opioid receptor (DOR) agonists have the potential for analgesic efficacy without the confounding side effects of other opioid receptor therapies (see [15] for a review). Thus, analgesia has been shown in primate and non-primate pain models with a number of DOR ligands, for example, [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]enkephalin, SNC80 and AM-390. However, DOR efficacy depends on the pain stimulus, the type of injury and the influence of the local neurochemical environment. Thus, delta ligands have low analgesic efficacy in acute pain models but show robust analgesia efficacy in a variety of chronic pain conditions accompanied by inflammation [16, 17]. This can be explained by stimulus-dependent trafficking of DOR from the cytoplasm to nerve membranes in CNS neurons [16]. There is little clinical development of DOR agonists for analgesia, although ADL 5859 [17] is reported to be in clinical phase 1 for analgesia.

Kinins and their receptors

Bradykinin is an important mediator of inflammatory pain causing nociceptor activation and sensitization via B2 receptors [18]. The abundant metabolite of bradykinin, des-Arg9-bradykinin (kallidin), activates B1 receptors, which occur in low abundance, in the periphery and CNS [19–21].

B2 receptors undergo desensitization following prolonged kinin exposure, whereas B1 receptors do not desensitize rapidly and are dramatically up-regulated in many tissues following injury [22–25] or exposure to IL-1β or the neurotrophin glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) [23, 26]. Importantly, kinins cause a cascade of secondary changes, including prostanoid and nitric oxide production, phosphorylation of signaling proteins such as PKC, and the sensitization of sensory transducers such as the transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV)1 receptor [27]. These events are linked with heat and mechanical hyperalgesia [28, 29]. In keeping with this, B2 antagonists (for example, Icatibant and bradyzide) and a B1 antagonist (des-Arg10 HOE-140; SSR240612) produce robust anti-hyperalgesic effects in models of nerve injury-induced pain [30–33]. Importantly, intra-articular administration of Icatibant (HOE 140) in OA patients was shown to reduce pain intensity at rest and during activity [33].

Cannabinoids and their receptors

Two cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, are associated with pain modulation (reviewed in [35]). CB1 receptors are widely distributed in the CNS and peripheral sensory neurons while CB2 receptors have been found in peripheral tissues, including tissues of the immune system and keratinocytes, with limited expression in sensory and CNS cells [36]. More recently, constitutive expression of both CB1 and CB2 receptors have been isolated on chondrocytes and implicated in a potential disease modifying role in OA [37]. Several fatty acids, for example, anandamide, 2-arachidonylglycerol, and palmitoylethanolamide, have been identified as the endogenous ligands for these receptors while specific antagonists, such as SR141716A and SR147778 for CB1 and SR144428 for CB2, have been used to characterize receptor functions.

CB1 receptors attenuate pain by reducing peripheral nerve excitability and through inhibition of sensory transmitter release [38]. In the CNS, brain stem structures such as the periaqueductal grey appear to be important for stress-induced release of endocannabinoids, and CB1-induced analgesia may involve activation of descending pathways that inhibit spinal excitability [39, 40].

Several clinical studies have shown that many cannabinoids, such as delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, that reduce pain by a CNS action also produce adverse effects, such as euphoria, dizziness and sedation [41]. Targeting peripheral cannabinoid receptors can reduce CNS side effects. Thus, localized administration of HU210 or oral administration of CB1 agonists with limited CNS availability, such as CT-3 (ajulemic acid), produced analgesia both in pain models [42, 43] and in the clinic at a dose that causes minimal CNS side effects [44].

CB2 agonists (for example, HU-308, HU-210, CP55940, AM1241 and GW405833) also modulate acute and chronic pain [45–47] while JWH-133 also shows anti-inflammatory activity [48]. It is unclear how these effects are produced since few CB2 receptors are found in the CNS or on sensory neurons [49]. However, CB1 like side effects (sedation, catalepsy, motor impairments) have not been seen with CB2 selective compounds.

Another ongoing approach for pain reduction is to harness the endogenous cannabinoid systems by targeting fatty acid amide hydrolysis, the major degradation pathway for endogenous cannabinoids [50]. Thus, in mice lacking this enzyme [51], or after treatment of naïve mice with a novel fatty acid amide hydrolysis inhibitor, such as URB597 and OL135, there is significantly elevated brain anandamide and increased pain threshold in pain models [52, 53]. Finally, several reports have indicated analgesic synergy between mu-opioid and CB receptors. Thus, combinations of these agonists have been shown to provide pain reduction with minimal side effects in acute pain models [54]. However, it is still unclear whether such synergy can be exploited in chronic pain treatment such as OA.

Prostanoids and receptors

A variety of prostanoid cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzyme products (prostaglandin (PG)E2, PGD2, PGF2α, thromboxane, PGI2) are made during inflammation, but PGE2 is considered to be the major contributor to inflammatory pain. Thus, blocking the major synthetic enzymes COX-1 and COX-2 or inhibition of prostanoid receptors continue to be important approaches for reducing inflammatory pain. PGE2 exerts its effects via a variety of E prostanoid (EP) receptors (EP1, EP2, EP3, EP4), which are present in both peripheral sensory neurones and the spinal cord. Activation of these receptors produces a complexity of effects, ranging from calcium influx to cAMP activation or inhibition. Sensitization of nociceptors by PGE2 is caused by the cAMP-mediated enhancement of sodium currents via ion channel phosphorylation [55, 56]. However, in the spinal cord, prostaglandin-induced hyperexcitability was enhanced by EP1 receptors but reduced by an EP3α agonist (ONO-AE-248), suggesting further complexity in the prostanoid regulation of pain [57].

In addition to their important roles in the periphery, COXs are also present in the CNS. Important for pain is the increased spinal cord expression of COX-1 (glia) and COX-2 (ventral horn cells) caused by inflammation, peripheral nerve injury or cytokines. In keeping with this, several non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been shown to reduce inflammatory hyperalgesia via inhibition of spinal COX activity [58]. Several mechanisms have been proposed, including EP1 receptor activation and spinal release of glutamate as well as loss of spinal glycine receptor mediated inhibition [59]. Recently, COX-3 has been identified as a splice variant of COX-1 [60] and several NSAIDs (acetaminophen, diclofenac, phenacetin) show low efficacy but some degree of selectivity for COX-3. However, COX-3 has low enzymic capability and its distribution and low abundance in the CNS and periphery does not make this a compelling target for analgesia.

Since the 1990s, COX-2 selectivity has been associated with cardiovascular concerns following observations of reduction in anti-thrombotic prostacylin metabolites but not prothrombotic thromboxane A2 in urine. Large scale, controlled clinical trials for COX-2 inhibitors (VIGOR, CLASS, TARGET) comparing efficacy and safety of rofecoxib, celecoxib and lumiracoxib with traditional NSAIDs have confirmed an increased risk of serious cardiovascular events compared to placebo. Many key questions remain unanswered concerning the mechanism of cardiovascular risk of selective COX-2 inhibitors (see [61] for a review). Despite this uncertainty, development of COX-2 selective inhibitors still continues (for example, GW406381), reflecting the attraction of this pathway and the requirement for newer drugs with improved overall safety profiles.

An alternative route of PGE2 inhibition is via the blockade of PGE synthase (PGES), a major route of conversion of prostaglandin H2 to PGE2. Two isoforms of the enzyme have been identified, membrane or microsomal associated (mPGES-1) and cytosolic (cPGES/p23), which are linked with COX-2 and COX-1 dependent PGE2 production, respectively [62, 63]. Both isoforms are up-regulated by inflammatory mediators, and gene deletion studies in mice indicate an important role for mPGES in acute and chronic inflammation and inflammatory pain [64]. Additionally, inhibition of mPGES is thought to be associated with lower cardiovascular risk since PGI2 production would not be affected.

Cytokines, chemokines and their receptors

Inflammatory stimuli initiate a cascade of events, including the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α, ILs, chemokines, nerve growth factor (NGF), sympathetic amines, leukotrienes and PGs, with a complex impact on pain production. Cytokines induce hyperalgesia by a number of direct and indirect actions. Thus, IL1β activates nociceptors directly via intra-cellular kinase activation, but it may also cause indirect nociceptor sensitization via the production of kinins and prostanoids [65]. TNFα also activates sensory neurones directly via the receptors TNFR1 and TNFR2 and initiates a cascade of inflammatory reactions through the production of IL1, IL6 and IL8 [66, 67]. It is significant that direct TNFα application in the periphery induces neuropathic pain behavior that is blocked by ibuprofen and celecoxib [68], while nerve ligation causes increased TNFα in damaged as well as adjacent undamaged axons [69]. Interestingly, anti-TNFα treatment with the TNF antibody adalimumab produced a prolonged reduction of pain symptoms in OA [70]. These are encouraging preliminary data but will require further support.

Chemokines are important peripheral and central regulators of chronic inflammation, typically orchestrating leucocyte migration. However, recent studies implicate chemokine receptors in brain development, neurodegenerative conditions and synapse activity. Receptors have been detected throughout the CNS in the macrophage-'like' microglial cells, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and neurons [71]. Receptors have been co-localized with isolectin B4 and substance P primary afferent neurons and dorsal root ganglion cultures respond to chemokines with transient Ca²⁺ influx [72]. Chemokines can contribute directly to hyperalgesia through G-protein coupled sensitization of ligand gated channels, for example, TRPV1, heterologous desensitization of opioid receptors and sensitization of sensory neurones [72, 73]. For example, pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as CC chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) and CCL3 (MIP-1a), sensitize TRPV1 to capsaicin via removal of an intracellular phospholipid inhibitor [72]. Furthermore, CCL2, CCL3 (MIP-1a), CCL5 and CXC chemokine ligand 8 also desensitize mu-opioid receptors. Therefore, the phasic synovitis that accompanies OA may serve as a priming event for subsequent hyperalgesia, mediated in part by chemokine and cytokine priming of sensory afferents, or desensitization of the endogenous opioid system.

Adrenergic receptors

Several chronic pain disorders termed 'sympathetically maintained pain' have highlighted the importance of the release of sympathetic transmitters (epinephrine or norepinephrine) from sympathetic varicosities and the involvement of adrenergic receptors in pain etiology. The joint capsule, synovium and bone are richly innervated by sympathetic postganglionic neurons [74]. These regulate vascular tone and permeability, bone homeostasis and, during inflammation, sensitizing of afferent sensory pathways. In rheumatoid arthritis, sympathetic innervation is reduced, probably by increased release of sympathetic nerve repellents such as semaphorins, although no such denervation is observed in OA [75]. Interactions between sympathetic and afferent peripheral neurons may take place at several sites. NGF may play an important role in linking sympathetic and C-fibre innervation as sympathetic activation stimulates NGF secretion from vascular smooth muscle [76]. Other pain conditions have demonstrated sympathetic/sensory coupling at the level of the dorsal root ganglion [77] and at the peripheral sites of injury (for example, neuroma) [78].

Studies have also shown the expression of α-1 and α-2 adrenergic receptors on sensory neurons or on post-ganglionic sympathetic terminals after nerve injuries [79, 80]. Under these conditions sensory neurones can be directly activated by the endogenous release of sympathetic transmitters (via α-1 receptors) or in the clinic by intradermal injection of norepinephrine [81].

Clonidine and other α-2 agonists such as dexmedetomidine have also been used systemically to inhibit sensory transmission in the spinal cord by block of pre- and postsynaptic membrane excitability and intra-articularly following joint replacement. Unfortunately, sedation and hypotension are major target-related systemic side effects of these compounds. Great efforts have been made to identify ligands with improved α-2 receptor subtype selectivity, to avoid side effects, but thus far this has not been particularly successful.

Glutamate regulation and glutamate receptors

In OA, synovial fluid levels of glutamate and aspartate are significantly elevated above controls [82]. Glutamate acts through a variety of receptor-coupled, ligand-gated ion channels, including α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-proprionate (AMPA)/kinate receptors, ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) and G-protein coupled metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). Injections of glutamate or metabolically stable receptor-selective agonists such as NMDA, AMPA, and kainate cause a pro-nociceptive response upon thermal and mechanical stimulation, while application of iGluR and mGluR antagonists attenuate pain in acute models (see [83, 84] for reviews). Glutamate may also have a disease-modifying role, with receptors found on non-neuronal cells, that is osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and chondrocytes, mediating bone remodeling and cartilage mechano-transduction, respectively [85, 86].

NMDA antagonists show robust attenuation of pain behaviors but also induce a number of side effects (sedation, confusion, motor incoordination) and thus have insufficient therapeutic margin. There has been a refocus on more specific NMDA-receptor subtype blockers (NR1 and NR2) directed towards the strychnine-insensitive glycine_B modulatory site to avoid side effects. This site modulates the NMDA channel only during the sustained stimulation of the receptor, which is considered to occur during chronic pain. Selective NR1-Gly antagonists have been claimed to reduce pain with reduced side effects [87, 88]. However, clinical experience has not confirmed this. GV196771 did not show efficacy against clinical pain, possible due to inadequate penetration into the CNS [89].

Alternative initiatives have targeted other NMDA receptor subtypes, such as the NR2B receptor, which has a specific distribution in sensory pathways. Blockade of this receptor has also been claimed to produce anti-nociception (ifenprodil, traxoprodil (CP-101,606)) with reduced side effects [90]. To date, traxoprodil has advanced into phase I safety and efficacy study for acute ischemic stroke.

The mGluRs, particularly mGluR1 and mGluR5, have been reported to play a key role in sustaining heightened central excitability in chronic pain with minimal involvement in acute nociception. Thus, spinal administration of selective agonists such as dihydroxy phenyl glycine produced allodynia, while mGluR5 was shown to be significantly over-expressed in some, but not all, chronic pain models [91]. Peripheral mGluR5 receptors have also been claimed to modulate pain. Thus, local administrations of mGluR5 antagonists 2-methyl-6 [phenylethynyl]-pyridine (MPEP) and SIB1757 have been effective in reducing pain behavior, suggesting a potential use in pain therapy [92, 93].

Metabotropic group II receptors (mGluR2 and mGluR3) also modulate pain transmission. mGluR2 is located in sensory neurones and presynaptic nerve terminals whereas mGluR3 is found all over the brain. mGluR3 can be selectively increased in the spinal dorsal horn neurones after peripheral UV injury [94]. mGluR2/3 receptor activation appears necessary to reduce nerve terminal excitability and to modulate pain transmission since treatment with the agonist L-acetyl carnitine reduced inflammatory hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia and increased the expression of mGluR2/3. The effects of L-acetyl carnitine were attenuated by LY379268, an mGluR2/3 antagonist [95].

Ion channels

A variety of ligand and membrane voltage-regulated ion-channels is involved in pain modulation and these have been targeted for pain control. The mammalian TRP channel represents a large receptor family, subdivided into six subfamilies: TRPA, TRPC, TRPM, TRPP, TRPV, and mucolipin. Many TRP channels are localized to sensory neurones and play a major role in temperature and mechanical transduction.

TRPV1 is a non-selective cation channel, gated by capsaicin, noxious heat (>45°C), acidic pH (<5.3), and regulated by a variety of inflammatory agents, including protons, bradykinin, ATP, PGE2, 12-lipoxygenase products, protease-activated receptor-2, anandamide, CCL3 and NGF. Sensitization of TRPV1 involves a variety of pathways that regulate receptor phosphorylation [96]. Analgesia approaches in OA have used capsaicin preparations or capsaicin-like agonists to induce TRPV1 desensitization or reversible sensory nerve terminal degeneration caused by prolonged cation influx into the nerve, osmotic damage and metabolic collapse [97]. In a randomized study of intra-articular injections of placebo or capsaicin (ALGRX 4975) prior to knee replacement, ALGRX 4975 was found to decrease visual analogue scales (VAS) scores without effecting proprioreception or joint histopathology [98]. Currently, there is a focus on TRPV1 channel blockers or selective TRPV1 receptor antagonists [99]. Supporting these approaches, competitive (AMG-9810) [100] and non-competitive (DD161515) [99] TRPV1 antagonists block chemical and thermal pain sensitivity, heralding the emergence of a novel therapy. Indeed, recent studies in volunteers have shown that oral SB705498 attenuated capsaicin and ultra-violet (UV)-induced pain and hyperalgesia [101]. Other TRP channels (TRPV3, TRPV4, TRPA1) have also been suggested to be involved in pain transduction. Thus, TRPA1 (ANKTM1) is co-localized with TRPV1 and is activated by capsaicin and mustard oil but can also be sensitized by inflammatory mediators, including bradykinin, known to be significantly elevated in osteoarthritic synovial fluid, to produce cold-induced burning pain [102]. In addition, TRPV1 can oligomerize with other TRP family members, including TRPV3. The latter is found in keratinocytes and appears to be upregulated in inflammatory pain conditions. So far there are few reliable chemical tools to help characterize the functions of these TRP receptors and support their value as analgesia targets.

Purinergic receptor-regulated channels

The unique localization of the purinergic 2X ionotropic (P2X)3 receptor to small sensory fibres has highlighted its importance in pain. Large amounts of the endogenous ligand ATP are released after tissue injury and during inflammatory injuries while both ATP and a stable analogue, α,β-methyl ATP, induce pain and are pronociceptive when administered intradermally in volunteers [103].

In chronic inflammatory pain, P2X3-mediated excitability is enhanced while reduction of P2X3 receptors by antisense oligonucleotide administration reduces inflammatory hyper-algesia as well as that evoked by α, β-methyl ATP [104]. In keeping with this, several antagonists, including 2',3'-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)-adenosine triphosphate (TNP-ATP), pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid, and suramin, reduce pain behavior. More selective, and drug like, antagonists, such as A-3174919, reduced pain in a number of acute and chronic pain models, supporting the possibility for future analgesia therapy of nociceptive pain such as OA [105].

It should be noted that several other purinergic receptor subtypes, including P2X4 and P2X7, have also been suggested to modulate pain through altered central excitability and the release of neuroglial-cell products [106–108]. Thus, activated microglia, astrocytes and satellite cells release a variety of inflammatory mediators, including IL1β, TNFα, prostanoids and nitric oxide upon ATP stimulation. Indeed, increased expression of P2X4 has been shown to occur in spinal microglia after peripheral nerve lesions and this was related to painful mechanical allodynia. This behavior was blocked by spinal administrations of the selective P2X4 antagonist TNP-ATP [106]. Remarkably, spinal administration of activated microglia reproduced TNP-ATP sensitive mechanical allodynia in naïve animals.

Increased P2X7 expression has been found in peripheral macrophages following inflammation but this receptor is also expressed in spinal neurones and microglia following peripheral nerve injury [107]. In keeping with an important role in chronic pain, both microglia and P2X7 receptors are up-regulated in human chronic pain patients [108] while deletion of the P2X7 receptor gene produced a complete absence of mechanical and thermal pain in mice [108].

It is worth noting that other nucleotide-gated ion channels have also been shown to be important for regulating peripheral excitability. Thus, the Na/K re-polarizing 'pacemaker current', Ih, which is activated during membrane hyper-polarization, is important for generation of rhythmic and spontaneous action potentials in sensory neurons. Ih currents are controlled by cyclic nucleotides (cAMP and cGMP) via a family of hyperpolarization-activated, cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN1-4) ion channels. These have been found to be differentially expressed and redistributed after inflammatory nerve injuries [109, 110].

Acid sensing ion channels

Several arthritidies, including OA, are associated with decreases in local pH during osteoclastic bone resorption, inflammation and tissue hypoxia [111]. H⁺ ions can directly activate nociceptors via multiple mechanisms, for example, TRPV1 channels as previously discussed, and via acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs). ASICs are Na⁺ channels related to the degenerin/epithelial amiloride-sensitive Na⁺ channel superfamily of cation channels. Several subunits have been identified, with ASIC 1a 1b, ASIC 2a, 2b and ASIC3 expressed in the majority of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. The relative contribution of TRPV1 and ASICs to H⁺ activation of sensory afferents is only just emerging, but data indicate specificity differences for both species and nerve fibre subtypes (Isolectin B4-/+) [112].

A novel blocker (A-317567) of peripheral ASIC 1, 2 and 3 channels has been described [113]. This reduces hyper-algesia in models of inflammatory and post-operative pain, but there have been no reports of therapeutic advances with ASIC inhibitors.

Sodium channels

Voltage-gated sodium channels are characterized by their primary structure and sensitivity to tetrodotoxin (TTX). A variety of TTX sensitive (NaV1.3, Nav1.7) and TTX insensitive (NaV 1.8, NaV1.9) channels are involved in regulating sensory neural excitability [114, 115]. Changes in the expression, trafficking and redistribution of NaVs following inflammation or nerve injury are considered to account for the abnormal firing and the generation of ectopic activity in afferent nerves [116]. Mutations of NaV1.7 have been identified as the cause of burning pain in erythromelalgia [117], while inflammation causes the over-expression of NaV 1.7 in animal models and in inflamed human tooth pulp [118]. Interestingly, NaV1.7 over-expression could be prevented by pre-treatment with COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitors (ibuprofen, NS-398).

The clinical utility of non-selective Na channel blockade in OA pain has been well established with the experimental use of local anesthetics such as intra-articular levobupivacaine, the active enantiomer of bupivacaine. It is noteworthy that the OA population is stratified in response to intra-articular local anesthetic, indicating a significant central component to the pain in some patients [3]. Systemic and central exposure to local anesthetics has been attempted in other pain paradigms. Intravenous administration has been reported to produce long lasting pain relief in both animal models [119] and intractable neuropathic pain [120]. The major disadvantages of the systemic use of non-selective Na channel blockers are cardiotoxicity and CNS sedation and confusion, considered to be produced by NaV1.5 and NaV1.2 channel blocking, respectively. Considerable activity is currently focused on discovering novel, selective Na channel blockers.

An alternative approach to regulate ion channels is to block the trafficking of channels to the nerve membrane. For example, the functioning of NaV1.8 may be reduced by preventing an association with p-11, an annexin II related protein that tethers the channel to the nerve membrane [121]. In addition, channel-associated cell surface glycoproteins such as contactin may be involved in concentrating specific channel subtypes, for example, NaV1.8 and NaV1.9 (Isolectin B4+) but not NaV1.6 and NaV1.7 (Isolectin B4-) in DRG nerve membranes, with an associated increased in ionic current density [122]. Although these approaches are attractive, they have not been explored significantly and it is unclear whether they will impact on nerve excitability associated with specific pain etiology.

Calcium channels

Voltage-gated calcium channels are subdivided into two major categories, low voltage-activated calcium channels (T-type channels) and high voltage-activated. High voltage-activated channels are further subdivided, based on pharmacology and biophysical characteristics, into L-, N-, R-, P-, and Q-types. Several have been shown to be prominently involved in pain regulation [123]. The N-type calcium channel is an important regulator of nerve terminal excitability and neurotransmitter release. N-type channels can be regulated, particularly through GPCR signaling by analgesic drugs such as opioids, with a resultant modulation of sensory transmitter release, for example, substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and glutamate, at both spinal and peripheral sensory nerve terminals. Channel trafficking may also be affected; for example, activation of the opioid receptor-like receptor by nociceptin causes channel internalization and downregulation of calcium entry [124].

Gene deletion of the α2δ subunit of the N-type channel reduces inflammatory and neuropathic pain [125, 126]. Moreover, selective blockers such as Ziconotide (SNX-111, Prialt; a synthetic form of omega-conotoxin) and verapamil have been used to characterize channel activity while Ziconitide has been used experimentally and clinically by spinal intrathecal administration for pain relief [127, 128]. Building on this concept, small molecule channel blockers, with oral availability, are now reported to be undergoing clinical evaluation for analgesia, for example, NMED-160 [128].

Low voltage-activated T channels also appear important for pain transmission and as targets for pain therapy. Thus, they are expressed in superficial laminae of the spinal cord and in dorsal root ganglion neurones [123]. T-channels play a prominent role in regulating spinal excitability and spinal sensitization following repetitive C-fibre stimulation [129]. Moreover, nerve injury-induced hyper-responsiveness was blocked by the T-channel blocker ethosuximide [130], which also attenuated mechanical allodynia in animal models of vincristine and paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain [131].

Finally, high voltage-activated channels are composed of four subunits, an α1 subunit and auxiliary subunits α2δ, β, and γ. There are four human α2δ genes described, α2δ1–4, which associate into different subsets of channels and have different tissue distributions. Pregabalin and gabapentin are inhibitors of α2δ1 and α2δ2. These drugs act as presynaptic inhibitors of the release of excitatory neurotransmitters in stimulated neurones. They have been shown to be effective in states of enhanced neuronal activation during inflammation and nerve lesioning (spinal cord injury, diabetic neuropathy, neuropathic cancer pain, HIV associated neuropathy) [132, 133], which may be associated with the increased expression of the α2δ subunit [133]. Pregabalin has been assessed in hip and knee OA in a 12-week, double blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center study in 296 patients. No response was observed in patients with knee OA but patients with hip OA experienced improvement in sleep quality and improvements in the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain subscale [134].

Neurotrophins and their receptors

Neurotrophins and their receptors represent an important family of regulatory proteins essential for sensory nerve development, survival and the determination of neurochemical phenotype important for the regulation of excitability [135, 136]. Several neurotrophins (NTs) have been identified, including NGF, brain derived growth factor (BDNF) and NT3 and NT4/5. Each NT binds with high affinity to a receptor tyrosine kinase (Trk): NGF to TrkA, BDNF and NT4/5 to TrkB and NT3 to TrkC. NT3 also binds with TrkA and TrkB. Mature NTs also bind to a structurally distinct receptor, p75, which affects neuronal development through downstream signaling. NTs arise from pro-NT precursors following extracellular cleavage by metalloproteinases and plasmin. It is notable that pro-NTs may signal through the p75 receptor in a manner that opposes the effects of NTs, for example, to produce apoptosis rather than cell survival [137].

NGF has been most studied with respect to inflammatory hyperalgesia as its production is unregulated by inflammation in macrophages, fibroblasts and Schwann cells. NGF has emerged as a key regulator of sensory neurone excitability and as an important mediator of injury-induced nociceptive and neuropathic pain [138–140]. Thus, NGF acts via TrkA and p75 to activate a number of other kinase pathways, for example, that of p38 kinase, leading to altered gene transcription and increased synthesis of sensory neuropeptides (substance P, CGRP), ion channels (TRPV1, NaV1.8, ASIC3) [141–143], membrane receptors such as bradykinin and P2X3 [144, 145], and structural molecules, including neurofilament and channel anchoring proteins such as the annexin light chain p11 [121].

Increased expression and release of NGF have been demonstrated in several painful conditions in animal models (for example, UV injury, surgical injury) [146, 147] and in human conditions, including arthritis, cystitis, prostitis and headache [148–150]. Administration of exogenous NGF induces thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia in animals and humans [151, 152], which is considered to be due, in part, to mast cell degranulation and by directly increasing sensory neuronal excitability [153].

Only a few small molecule NGF antagonists are available, but ALE0540, which inhibits the binding of NGF to TrkA and p75, and PD90780, which inhibits NGF binding to p75, have been proposed to have efficacy in chronic pain models [154, 155]. The importance of NGF has also received clinical confirmation since RN624, a humanized ant-NGF monoclonal antibody, has been reported to be efficacious in reducing pain and improved mobility in OA [156]. Anti-NGF monoclonal antibody therapy appears to be an attractive therapeutic approach with the potential for long lasting pain treatment, similar in efficacy to morphine, without compromising physiological nociception.

NGF also induces the synthesis and accumulation of BDNF in peptide-containing sensory neurones following painful nerve injury [135]. Release of BDNF in the spinal dorsal horn increases spinal excitability and pain sensitization via TrkB receptors. This initiates a variety of effects, including direct neural excitation, activation of a signaling cascade via the phophorylation of NMDA receptors, and altered regulation of the neural chloride-ion transporter that contributes to pain hypersensitivity [157]. In addition, spinal BDNF administration induces thermal and mechanical allodynia whereas anti-BNDF neutralization or TrkB IgG administration reduces inflammation or nerve injury hypersensitivity in a number of animal models [139, 158, 159].

Finally, GDNF represents an extensive family of ligands and membrane receptor complexes that have an important role in regulating peripheral and central neural phenotypes. GDNF related ligands include neurturin and artemin, which act via the complex c-Ret proto-oncogene receptor tyrosine kinase and co-receptors glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor receptor (GFR)α1, α2, α3 and α4. Although there appears not to be a specific role in inflammation, GDNF has been shown to have neuroprotective and restorative properties in a number of neurodegenerative and neuropathic pain states [135]. Specifically, GDNF treatment has been shown to restore peripheral sensory neurone function, including peptide and ion channel expression patterns, following painful peripheral nerve injury accompanied by an attenuation of pain behaviors. Unfortunately, clinical observations using GDNF have shown unacceptable side effects, such as weight loss and allodynia, which has discouraged therapeutic developments [160].

Botulinum toxin

Another approach to pain modulation has been the use of botulinum toxins (BoTNs). The mechanism of action of BoTN is related to inhibition of transmitter release from motor fibers through proteolytic cleavage of a number of synaptosomal regulatory proteins (soluble N-ethyl maleimide-sensitive fusion protein attachment protein receptors (SNAREs), syntaxin, synaptosome-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25) and synaptobrevin). More recent studies have also indicated potential for inhibition of neuropeptide transmitter release from small afferent nerves [161, 162]. In keeping with this, BoNT has been shown to provide long lasting pain relief following administration into human OA joints [163] and improve bladder dysfunction in overactive bladder patients. This was correlated with loss of both P2X3 and VR1 receptors in the urinary bladder [164].