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The α6 subunit-containing GABA A receptor: A novel drug target for inhibition of trigeminal activation

The α6 subunit-containing GABA A receptor: A novel drug target for inhibition of trigeminal activation

Pi-Chuan Fan, Tzu-Hsuan Lai, Chia Chun Hor, Ming Tatt Lee, Pokai Huang, Werner Sieghart, Margot Ernst, Daniel E Knutson, James Cook, Lih-Chu Chiou

Neuropharmacology. 2018 Sep 15;140:1-13.

PMID: 30016665

Abstract:

Novel treatments against migraine are an urgent medical requirement. The α6 subunit-containing GABAA receptors (α6GABAARs) are expressed in trigeminal ganglia (TG), the hub of the trigeminal vascular system (TGVS) that is involved in the pathogenesis of migraine. Here we reveal an unprecedented role of α6GABAARs in ameliorating TGVS activation using several pharmacological approaches in an animal model mimicking pathological changes in migraine. TGVS activation was induced by intra-cisternal (i.c.) instillation of capsaicin in Wistar rats. Centrally, i.c. capsaicin activated the trigeminal cervical complex (TCC) measured by the increased number of c-Fos-immunoreactive (c-Fos-ir) TCC neurons. Peripherally, it elevated calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactivity (CGRP-ir) in TG and depleted CGRP-ir in the dura mater. Pharmacological approaches included a recently identified α6GABAAR-selective positive allosteric modulator (PAM), the pyrazoloquinolinone Compound 6, two α6GABAAR-active PAMs (Ro15-4513 and loreclezole), an α6GABAAR-inactive benzodiazepine (diazepam), an α6GABAAR-selective antagonist (furosemide), and a clinically effective antimigraine agent (topiramate). We examined effects of these compounds on both central and peripheral TGVS responses induced by i.c. capsaicin. Compound 6 (3-10 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly attenuated the TCC neuronal activation and TG CGRP-ir elevation, and dural CGRP depletion induced by capsaicin. All these effects of Compound 6 were mimicked by topiramate, Ro15-4513 and loreclezole, but not by diazepam. The brain-impermeable furosemide antagonized the peripheral, but not central, effects of Compound 6. These results suggest that the α6GABAAR in TG is a novel drug target for TGVS activation and that α6GABAAR-selective PAMs have the potential to be developed as a novel pharmacotherapy for migraine.

Chemicals Related in the Paper:

Catalog Number	Product Name	CAS Number	Price
AP164025449	PZ-II-029	164025-44-9	Price
AP20880926	Topiramate Related Compound A	20880-92-6	Price
AP4818591	Furosemide Related Compound A	4818-59-1	Price

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