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GPR37 regulates macrophage phagocytosis and resolution of inflammatory pain
Sangsu Bang, … , Zhen-Zhong Xu, Ru-Rong Ji
Sangsu Bang, … , Zhen-Zhong Xu, Ru-Rong Ji
Published July 16, 2018
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2018;128(8):3568-3582. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI99888.
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Research Article Inflammation Neuroscience

GPR37 regulates macrophage phagocytosis and resolution of inflammatory pain

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Abstract

The mechanisms of pain induction by inflammation have been extensively studied. However, the mechanisms of pain resolution are not fully understood. Here, we report that GPR37, expressed by macrophages (MΦs) but not microglia, contributes to the resolution of inflammatory pain. Neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1) and prosaptide TX14 increase intracellular Ca2+ (iCa2+) levels in GPR37-transfected HEK293 cells. NPD1 and TX14 also bind to GPR37 and cause GPR37-dependent iCa2+ increases in peritoneal MΦs. Activation of GPR37 by NPD1 and TX14 triggers MΦ phagocytosis of zymosan particles via calcium signaling. Hind paw injection of pH-sensitive zymosan particles not only induces inflammatory pain and infiltration of neutrophils and MΦs, but also causes GPR37 upregulation in MΦs, phagocytosis of zymosan particles and neutrophils by MΦs in inflamed paws, and resolution of inflammatory pain in WT mice. Mice lacking Gpr37 display deficits in MΦ phagocytic activity and delayed resolution of inflammatory pain. Gpr37-deficient MΦs also show dysregulations of proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines. MΦ depletion delays the resolution of inflammatory pain. Adoptive transfer of WT but not Gpr37-deficient MΦs promotes the resolution of inflammatory pain. Our findings reveal a previously unrecognized role of GPR37 in regulating MΦ phagocytosis and inflammatory pain resolution.

Authors

Sangsu Bang, Ya-Kai Xie, Zhi-Jun Zhang, Zilong Wang, Zhen-Zhong Xu, Ru-Rong Ji

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Figure 7

MΦs and MΦ GPR37 are critical for the resolution of inflammatory pain.

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MΦs and MΦ GPR37 are critical for the resolution of inflammatory pain.
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(A) Experimental diagram showing the timeline of drug treatments, FACS analysis, and behavioral tests. (B) MΦ depletion with clodronate (i.p., 15 μl/g, 2 and 48 h prior to the zymosan injection) delayed the resolution of heat hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. *P < 0.05 versus control; 2-way ANOVA. n = 5–8 mice/group. (C) Experimental diagram showing the timeline of zymosan injection, adoptive transfer of MΦs, and behavioral tests for D and E. (D and E) Adoptive transfer of WT MΦs (i.pl., 50,000 cells, D) but not Gpr37-deficient MΦs (KO MΦs) (E) promoted the resolution of heat hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia in Gpr37–/– mice. Note that the differences between Gpr37–/– and WT mice (revealed in Figure 6B) were abolished after the treatment (D). *P < 0.05 versus Gpr37–/–; 2-way ANOVA. n = 5 mice/group. Data represent the mean ± SEM.

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ISSN: 0021-9738 (print), 1558-8238 (online)

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