2. Academic Validation
  3. Astrocytes in preoptic area regulate acute nociception-induced hypothermia through adenosine receptors

Astrocytes in preoptic area regulate acute nociception-induced hypothermia through adenosine receptors

  • CNS Neurosci Ther. 2024 May;30(5):e14726. doi: 10.1111/cns.14726.
Junke Jia 1,  Ting Chen 1,  Chang Chen 1,  Tengxiao Si 2,  Chenyi Gao 1,  Yuanyuan Fang 1,  Jiahui Sun 1,  Jie Wang 2 3 4,  Zongze Zhang 1
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
  • 2 Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.
  • 3 Institute of Neuroscience and Brain Diseases, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, China.
  • 4 Shanghai Key Laboratory of Emotions and Affective Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Songjiang Hospital and Songjiang Research Institute, Shanghai, China.
PMID: 38715251 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14726
Abstract

Aims: The preoptic area (POA) of the hypothalamus, crucial in thermoregulation, has long been implicated in the pain process. However, whether nociceptive stimulation affects body temperature and its mechanism remains poorly studied.

Methods: We used capsaicin, formalin, and surgery to induce acute nociceptive stimulation and monitored rectal temperature. Optical fiber recording, chemical genetics, confocal imaging, and pharmacology assays were employed to confirm the role and interaction of POA astrocytes and extracellular adenosine. Immunofluorescence was utilized for further validation.

Results: Acute nociception could activate POA astrocytes and induce a decrease in body temperature. Manipulation of astrocytes allowed bidirectional control of body temperature. Furthermore, acute nociception and astrocyte activation led to increased extracellular adenosine concentration within the POA. Activation of adenosine A1 or A2A receptors contributed to decreased body temperature, while inhibition of these receptors mitigated the thermo-lowering effect of astrocytes.

Conclusion: Our results elucidate the interplay between acute nociception and thermoregulation, specifically highlighting POA astrocyte activation. This enriches our understanding of physiological responses to painful stimuli and contributes to the analysis of the anatomical basis involved in the process.

Keywords

adenosine receptor; astrocyte; hypothermia; pain; preoptic area.

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