Pathophysiology‐Directed Engineering of a Combination Nanoanalgesic for Neuropathic Pain

Abstract Neuropathic pain, one of the most refractory pain diseases, remains a formidable medical challenge. There is still an unmet demand for effective and safe therapies to address this condition. Herein, a rat model of nerve injury‐induced neuropathic pain is first established to explore its pat...

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Main Authors: Wenkai Wang, Yan Wang, Xinle Huang, Peng Wu, Lanlan Li, Yang Zhang, Yihui Chen, Zhiyu Chen, Changqing Li, Yue Zhou, Jianxiang Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-02-01
Series:Advanced Science
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202405483
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author Wenkai Wang
Yan Wang
Xinle Huang
Peng Wu
Lanlan Li
Yang Zhang
Yihui Chen
Zhiyu Chen
Changqing Li
Yue Zhou
Jianxiang Zhang
author_facet Wenkai Wang
Yan Wang
Xinle Huang
Peng Wu
Lanlan Li
Yang Zhang
Yihui Chen
Zhiyu Chen
Changqing Li
Yue Zhou
Jianxiang Zhang
author_sort Wenkai Wang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Neuropathic pain, one of the most refractory pain diseases, remains a formidable medical challenge. There is still an unmet demand for effective and safe therapies to address this condition. Herein, a rat model of nerve injury‐induced neuropathic pain is first established to explore its pathophysiological characteristics. Recognizing the role of neuroinflammation, an inflammation‐resolving amphiphilic conjugate PPT is designed and synthesized by simultaneously conjugating polyethylene glycol, phenylboronic acid pinacol ester, and Tempol onto a cyclic scaffold. PPT can self‐assemble into nanomicelles (termed PPTN). Following intravenous injection, PPTN preferentially accumulates in the injured nerve, ameliorates the neuroinflammatory milieu, and promotes nerve regeneration, thereby shortening neuropathic pain duration in rats. Moreover, the Ca2+ channel α2δ1 subunit is identified as a therapeutic target by RNA‐sequencing analysis of the injured nerve. Based on this target, a mimicking peptide (AD peptide) is screened as an analgesic. By packaging AD peptide into PPTN, a combination nano‐analgesic APTN is developed. Besides potentiated anti‐hyperalgesic effects due to site‐specific delivery and on‐demand release of AD peptide at target sites, APTN simultaneously inhibits neuroinflammation and promotes nerve regeneration by reprogramming macrophages via regulating MAPK/NF‐kB signaling pathways and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, thus affording synergistic efficacies in treating nerve injury‐induced neuropathic pain.
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spelling doaj-art-d3c9606345eb44da8b16935f50a1bad82025-08-20T01:51:48ZengWileyAdvanced Science2198-38442025-02-01128n/an/a10.1002/advs.202405483Pathophysiology‐Directed Engineering of a Combination Nanoanalgesic for Neuropathic PainWenkai Wang0Yan Wang1Xinle Huang2Peng Wu3Lanlan Li4Yang Zhang5Yihui Chen6Zhiyu Chen7Changqing Li8Yue Zhou9Jianxiang Zhang10Department of Orthopedics Xinqiao Hospital Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing 400037 P. R. ChinaDepartment of Pharmaceutics College of Pharmacy Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing 400038 P. R. ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics Xinqiao Hospital Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing 400037 P. R. ChinaDepartment of Pharmaceutics College of Pharmacy Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing 400038 P. R. ChinaDepartment of Pharmaceutics College of Pharmacy Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing 400038 P. R. ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics Xinqiao Hospital Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing 400037 P. R. ChinaDepartment of General Surgery Xinqiao Hospital Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing 400037 P. R. ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics The First Affiliated Hospital Chongqing Medical University Chongqing 400016 P. R. ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics Xinqiao Hospital Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing 400037 P. R. ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics Xinqiao Hospital Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing 400037 P. R. ChinaDepartment of Pharmaceutics College of Pharmacy Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing 400038 P. R. ChinaAbstract Neuropathic pain, one of the most refractory pain diseases, remains a formidable medical challenge. There is still an unmet demand for effective and safe therapies to address this condition. Herein, a rat model of nerve injury‐induced neuropathic pain is first established to explore its pathophysiological characteristics. Recognizing the role of neuroinflammation, an inflammation‐resolving amphiphilic conjugate PPT is designed and synthesized by simultaneously conjugating polyethylene glycol, phenylboronic acid pinacol ester, and Tempol onto a cyclic scaffold. PPT can self‐assemble into nanomicelles (termed PPTN). Following intravenous injection, PPTN preferentially accumulates in the injured nerve, ameliorates the neuroinflammatory milieu, and promotes nerve regeneration, thereby shortening neuropathic pain duration in rats. Moreover, the Ca2+ channel α2δ1 subunit is identified as a therapeutic target by RNA‐sequencing analysis of the injured nerve. Based on this target, a mimicking peptide (AD peptide) is screened as an analgesic. By packaging AD peptide into PPTN, a combination nano‐analgesic APTN is developed. Besides potentiated anti‐hyperalgesic effects due to site‐specific delivery and on‐demand release of AD peptide at target sites, APTN simultaneously inhibits neuroinflammation and promotes nerve regeneration by reprogramming macrophages via regulating MAPK/NF‐kB signaling pathways and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, thus affording synergistic efficacies in treating nerve injury‐induced neuropathic pain.https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202405483nanoanalgesicnerve regenerationneuroinflammationneuropathic paintargeted therapy
spellingShingle Wenkai Wang
Yan Wang
Xinle Huang
Peng Wu
Lanlan Li
Yang Zhang
Yihui Chen
Zhiyu Chen
Changqing Li
Yue Zhou
Jianxiang Zhang
Pathophysiology‐Directed Engineering of a Combination Nanoanalgesic for Neuropathic Pain
Advanced Science
nanoanalgesic
nerve regeneration
neuroinflammation
neuropathic pain
targeted therapy
title Pathophysiology‐Directed Engineering of a Combination Nanoanalgesic for Neuropathic Pain
title_full Pathophysiology‐Directed Engineering of a Combination Nanoanalgesic for Neuropathic Pain
title_fullStr Pathophysiology‐Directed Engineering of a Combination Nanoanalgesic for Neuropathic Pain
title_full_unstemmed Pathophysiology‐Directed Engineering of a Combination Nanoanalgesic for Neuropathic Pain
title_short Pathophysiology‐Directed Engineering of a Combination Nanoanalgesic for Neuropathic Pain
title_sort pathophysiology directed engineering of a combination nanoanalgesic for neuropathic pain
topic nanoanalgesic
nerve regeneration
neuroinflammation
neuropathic pain
targeted therapy
url https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202405483
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