Adiponectin Receptor Expression In Peripheral Sensory Neurons

Objectives: Adiponectin is an adipokine that has been shown to have both anti-inflammatory and insulin sensitizing properties. Adiponectin receptors activated by adiponectin may be functionally expressed in peripheral sensory neurons, such as the trigeminal and dorsal root ganglia (DRG). We hypothesize that adiponectin receptor activation stimulates PPARa activation to initiate calcium influx, which has been demonstrated to be involved in modulating pain.
Methods: Western blotting biochemical protocols to establish adiponectin receptor expression pattern. Trigeminal (TG) or Dorsal Root Ganglia (DRG) from male, adult Sprague Dawley rats were dissected and cultured for primary sensory neuronal cultures. On day 5, cultures were harvested, with cleared general lysates resolved by SDS-PAGE and observed by WB for expression. Also, real-time Calcium imaging was employed with the adiponectin receptor agonist, AdipoRon, to determine calcium-responses in cultured sensory neurons.
Results: Adiponectin receptors are functionally expressed in peripheral sensory neurons.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates that circulating adiponectin in the body may act to provide a chemical buffer for peripheral pain. In the event that adiponectin receptor function directs small but sustained PPARa stimulation, we will direct future studies to blocking this endogenous effect and analyze for changes in neuronal and behavioral responses.