Effect of regional crosstalk between sympathetic nerves and sensory nerves on temporomandibular joint osteoarthritic pain.
10.1038/s41368-024-00336-6
- Author:
Zhangyu MA
1
;
Qianqian WAN
2
;
Wenpin QIN
1
;
Wen QIN
2
;
Janfei YAN
1
;
Yina ZHU
2
;
Yuzhu WANG
2
;
Yuxuan MA
2
;
Meichen WAN
2
;
Xiaoxiao HAN
1
;
Haoyan ZHAO
1
;
Yuxuan HOU
1
;
Franklin R TAY
3
;
Lina NIU
4
,
5
;
Kai JIAO
5
,
6
Author Information
1. Department of Stomatology, Tangdu Hospital & State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
2. State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
3. The Graduate School, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
4. State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China. niulina831013@
5. com.
6. Department of Stomatology, Tangdu Hospital & State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China. kjiao1@
- Publication Type:Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- MeSH:
Animals;
Osteoarthritis/physiopathology*;
Mice;
Sympathetic Nervous System/physiopathology*;
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/physiopathology*;
Arthralgia;
Sensory Receptor Cells;
Disease Models, Animal;
Norepinephrine;
Male;
Temporomandibular Joint/physiopathology*;
Pain Measurement
- From:
International Journal of Oral Science
2025;17(1):3-3
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) is a common disease often accompanied by pain, seriously affecting physical and mental health of patients. Abnormal innervation at the osteochondral junction has been considered as a predominant origin of arthralgia, while the specific mechanism mediating pain remains unclear. To investigate the underlying mechanism of TMJ-OA pain, an abnormal joint loading model was used to induce TMJ-OA pain. We found that during the development of TMJ-OA, the increased innervation of sympathetic nerve of subchondral bone precedes that of sensory nerves. Furthermore, these two types of nerves are spatially closely associated. Additionally, it was discovered that activation of sympathetic neural signals promotes osteoarthritic pain in mice, whereas blocking these signals effectively alleviates pain. In vitro experiments also confirmed that norepinephrine released by sympathetic neurons promotes the activation and axonal growth of sensory neurons. Moreover, we also discovered that through releasing norepinephrine, regional sympathetic nerves of subchondral bone were found to regulate growth and activation of local sensory nerves synergistically with other pain regulators. This study identified the role of regional sympathetic nerves in mediating pain in TMJ-OA. It sheds light on a new mechanism of abnormal innervation at the osteochondral junction and the regional crosstalk between peripheral nerves, providing a potential target for treating TMJ-OA pain.
