TACAN (Tmem120A), a mechanotransducing
ion channel highly expressed in a subset of nociceptors, has recently been shown to contribute to detection of noxious mechanical stimulation. In the present study we evaluated its role in sensitization to mechanical stimuli associated with preclinical models of inflammatory and
chemotherapy-induced
neuropathic pain (CIPN). Intrathecal administration of an
oligodeoxynucleotide antisense (AS-ODN) to TACAN
mRNA attenuated TACAN
protein expression in rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG). While TACAN AS-ODN produced only a modest increase in mechanical nociceptive threshold, it markedly reduced
mechanical hyperalgesia produced by intradermal administration of
prostaglandin E2,
tumor necrosis factor alpha, and low molecular weight
hyaluronan, and systemic administration of
lipopolysaccharide, compatible with a prominent role of TACAN in
mechanical hyperalgesia produced by
inflammation. In contrast, TACAN AS-ODN had no effect on
mechanical hyperalgesia associated with CIPN produced by
oxaliplatin or
paclitaxel. Our results provide evidence that TACAN plays a role in
mechanical hyperalgesia induced by pronociceptive inflammatory mediators, but not CIPN, compatible with multiple mechanisms mediating mechanical nociception, and sensitization to mechanical stimuli in preclinical models of inflammatory versus CIPN. PERSPECTIVE: We evaluated the role of TACAN, a mechanotransducing
ion channel in nociceptors, in preclinical models of inflammatory and CIPN. Attenuation of TACAN expression reduced
hyperalgesia produced by inflammatory mediators but had not chemotherapeutic agents. Our findings support the presence of multiple mechanotransducers in nociceptors.