BK_Ca Channel Inhibition by Peripheral Nerve Injury Is Restored by the Xanthine Derivative KMUP-1 in Dorsal Root Ganglia

• Main Authors: Kuang-I Cheng, Kan-Ting Yang, Chien-Lun Kung, Yu-Chi Cheng, Jwu-Lai Yeh, Zen-Kong Dai, Bin-Nan Wu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-04-01
• Series: Cells
• Subjects: KMUP-1; chronic constriction injury; dorsal root ganglion; perforated patch-clamp; BK_Ca currents; immunofluorescent staining
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/10/4/949

This study explored whether KMUP-1 improved chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced BK_Ca current inhibition in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Rats were randomly assigned to four groups: sham, sham + KMUP-1, CCI, and CCI + KMUP-1 (5 mg/kg/day, i.p.). DRG neuronal cells (L4–L6) were isolated on day 7 after CCI surgery. Perforated patch-clamp and inside-out recordings were used to monitor BK_Ca currents and channel activities, respectively, in the DRG neurons. Additionally, DRG neurons were immunostained with anti-NeuN, anti-NF200 and anti-BK_Ca. Real-time PCR was used to measure BK_Ca mRNA levels. In perforated patch-clamp recordings, CCI-mediated nerve injury inhibited BK_Ca currents in DRG neurons compared with the sham group, whereas KMUP-1 prevented this effect. CCI also decreased BK_Ca channel activity, which was recovered by KMUP-1 administration. Immunofluorescent staining further demonstrated that CCI reduced BK_Ca-channel proteins, and KMUP-1 reversed this. KMUP-1 also changed CCI-reduced BK_Ca mRNA levels. KMUP-1 prevented CCI-induced neuropathic pain and BK_Ca current inhibition in a peripheral nerve injury model, suggesting that KMUP-1 could be a potential agent for controlling neuropathic pain.