Tumor necrosis factor-α stimulation of calcitonin gene-related peptide expression and secretion from rat trigeminal ganglion neurons

Abstract

Expression of the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in trigeminal ganglion is implicated in neurovascular headaches and temporomandibular joint disorders. Elevation of cytokines contributes to the pathology of these diseases. However, a connection between cytokines and CGRP gene expression in trigeminal ganglion nerves has not been established. We have focused on the effects of the cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). TNFR1 receptors were found on the majority of CGRP-containing rat trigeminal ganglion neurons. Treatment of cultures with TNF-α stimulated CGRP secretion. In addition, the intracellular signaling intermediate from the TNFR1 receptor, ceramide, caused a similar increase in CGRP release. TNF-α caused a coordinate increase in CGRP promoter activity. TNF-α treatment activated the transcription factor NF-κB, as well as the Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways. The importance of TNF-α induction of MAP kinase pathways was demonstrated by inhibiting MAP kinases with pharmacological reagents and gene transfer with an adenoviral vector encoding MAP kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1). We propose that selective and regulated inhibition of MAP kinases in trigeminal neurons may be therapeutically beneficial for inflammatory disorders involving elevated CGRP levels.

Department(s)

Biology

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-4159.2005.03524.x

Keywords

Calcitonin gene-related peptide, Cytokine, Migraine, Mitogen-activated protein kinase, Trigeminal, Tumor necrosis factor-α

Publication Date

1-1-2006

Journal Title

Journal of Neurochemistry

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