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Current Medicinal Chemistry

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 0929-8673
ISSN (Online): 1875-533X

Review Article

Targeting the Prokineticin System to Control Chronic Pain and Inflammation

Author(s): ">Lucia Negri* and ">Daniela Maftei

Volume 25, Issue 32, 2018

Page: [3883 - 3894] Pages: 12

DOI: 10.2174/0929867324666170713102514

Price: $65

Abstract

Prokineticin1 and prokineticin2 belong to a new family of chemokines identified in several species including mammals and characterized by the presence of five disulfide bridges.

These proteins signal through two G-coupled receptors (prokineticin-receptor1 and prokineticin- receptor2) widely expressed in all tissues and involved in a large spectrum of biological activities, including angiogenesis, hematopoiesis, immune processes, inflammation and nociceptive transmission. Prokineticin2 is overexpressed in inflamed tissues and has a crucial role in neutrophil dependent inflammation and hypernociception.

Following tissue inflammation, peripheral nerve injury, cancer, bone metastasis the expression of prokineticin2 and of the prokineticin-receptor2 is increased also within dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord. Prokineticin receptors, highly expressed in nociceptor endings and dorsal root ganglia, exert a tonic activation of TRPV1 and TRPA1 contributing to peripheral sensitization. Prokineticin2-induces activation of the prokineticin receptors in the spinal dorsal horn and in activated astrocytes contributes to central sensitization and maintains chronic and neuropathic pain.

Prokineticin2, acting on prokineticin receptors on monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells, induces chemotaxis and release of inflammatory and pronociceptive cytokines. Hence, the prokineticin system represents a novel therapeutic target in chronic pain conditions. Evaluation of the mechanism of action of prokineticin2 and the potential effectiveness of its inhibition is discussed.

Keywords: Prokineticin system, chronic pain, inflammation, G-coupled receptors, chemokines, PROK system.


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