TRPA1 mediates trigeminal neuropathic pain in mice downstream of monocytes/macrophages and oxidative stress

Despite intense investigation, the mechanisms of the different forms of trigeminal neuropathic pain remain substantially unidentified. The transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 channel (encoded by TRPA1) has been reported to contribute to allodynia or hyperalgesia in some neuropathic pain models, including those produced by sciatic nerve constriction. However, the role of TRPA1 and the processes that cause trigeminal pain-like behaviours from nerve insult are poorly understood. The role of TRPA1, monocytes and macrophages, and oxidative stress in pain-like behaviour evoked by the constriction of the infraorbital nerve in mice were explored. C57BL/6 and wild-type (Trpa1(+/+)) mice that underwent constriction of the infraorbital nerve exhibited prolonged (20 days) non-evoked nociceptive behaviour and mechanical, cold and chemical hypersensitivity in comparison to sham-operated mice (P < 0.05-P < 0.001). Both genetic deletion of Trpa1 (Trpa1(-/-)) and pharmacological blockade (HC-030031 and A-967079) abrogated pain-like behaviours (both P < 0.001), which were abated by the antioxidant, α-lipoic acid, and the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase inhibitor, apocynin (both P < 0.001). Nociception and hypersensitivity evoked by constriction of the infraorbital nerve was associated with intra- and perineural monocytic and macrophagic invasion and increased levels of oxidative stress by-products (hydrogen peroxide and 4-hydroxynonenal). Attenuation of monocyte/macrophage increase by systemic treatment with an antibody against the monocyte chemoattractant chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) or the macrophage-depleting agent, clodronate (both P < 0.05), was associated with reduced hydrogen peroxide and 4-hydroxynonenal perineural levels and pain-like behaviours (all P < 0.01), which were abated by perineural administration of HC-030031, α-lipoic acid or the anti-CCL2 antibody (all P < 0.001). The present findings propose that, in the constriction of the infraorbital nerve model of trigeminal neuropathic pain, pain-like behaviours are entirely mediated by the TRPA1 channel, targeted by increased oxidative stress by-products released from monocytes and macrophages clumping at the site of nerve injury.