Mechanism and therapeutic effectiveness of nerve growth factor in osteoarthritis pain

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of articular joint arthritis and a cause of significant morbidity. In this review, we present the role of nerve growth factor (NGF) in pain generation, relationship between NGF and OA pain, and pathogenic factors (interleukin-1β, transforming growth factor-β1, mechanical loading, and adipokines) involved in OA development. Since NGF blocking is an efficient way to inhibit OA-associated pain, we summarize four categories of drugs that target NGF/tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) signaling. In addition, we discuss the future of NGF/TrkA antagonists and underline their potential for use in OA pain relief. A better understanding of the causes and treatment of OA will facilitate the development of more effective methods of OA pain management.

Keywords:

• osteoarthritis
• pain
• nerve growth factor
• TRPV1
• TrkA

Introduction

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of articular joint arthritis, the primary symptom of which is pain.^1,2 It causes significant morbidity in elderly individuals, and its age of onset is gradually decreasing.³ It results in tissue disruption surrounding the affected joint, impairing its articular function and leading to disability.

Many etiologies contribute to OA development, including age, sex, hereditary factors, and trauma.² In recent years, the risk factors, molecular basis, and medications for OA have been investigated to prevent and treat OA.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) was found to be a sort of crucial protein for neurons’ growth and survival initially. But its role in mediating pain was identified later. NGF blocking was also effective in relieving OA pain.⁴ In this article, we outline the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of NGF in OA pain and review evidence supporting the attenuation of OA pain by NGF blockade with the aim of promoting the discovery of new analgesics based on the antagonism of NGF signaling.

Relationship between NGF and pain

NGF was the first growth factor to be identified, and its discovery dates back to the 1950s. It belongs to a family of neurotrophic factors that include brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neurotrophin-3, and neurotrophin-4. Initially, it was identified as a soluble factor produced by tumor tissue, which promotes the growth and survival of sensory neurons. Subsequent studies showed that it functions in nervous system development and tissue pain.^4,5 Hefti et al⁶ reported that NGF levels are elevated during injury, inflammation, and chronic pain. In rats, inhibition of endogenous NGF degradation by matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 induces mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia.⁷

The molecular mechanisms underlying these actions of NGF can be explained as follows: Thermal, chemical, or mechanical stimuli activate nociceptors located in peripheral tissues, causing NGF production and release. NGF binds to NGF receptors, promoting multiple pain signaling pathways, leading to nociceptive pain.^8,9 When NGF binds to tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk) A, the complex is endocytosed and retrogradely transported to neuronal cell bodies, where it modulates the expression of bradykinin receptors, acid-sensing ion channel 2/3, voltage-gated sodium channels, and transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1).¹⁰ These cell surface receptors involved in nociception initiate peripheral sensitization and pain hypersensitivity.^11,12 The NGF–TrkA complex causes rapid posttranslational changes in the pain receptor TRPV1, evoking sustained density and increased activity in peripheral and central neurons.¹¹ Once opened, TRPV1 facilitates Ca²⁺ influx and transmission of pain signals.¹³ Central sensitization results from transcriptional changes triggered by NGF–TrkA signaling, including increased expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide and substance P.^12,14 In addition, NGF stimulates mast cells to express histamine, serotonin/5-hydroxytryptamine, and protons, as well as NGF, forming a positive-feedback loop.^12,14 Thus, NGF signaling not only modulates the expression of peripheral and central pain-related substances but also sensitizes adjacent nociceptive neurons in response to inflammation (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Molecular mechanisms of NGF function leading to pain.

Notes: (A) The NGF–TrkA complex evokes sustained density and increased activity in peripheral and central neurons through the pain receptor TRPV1. Once opened, TRPV1 facilitates Ca²⁺ influx and increased expression of CGRP and SP, leading to central sensitization. (B) NGF stimulates mast cells to express histamine, serotonin/5-HT, protons, and NGF. (C) The NGF–TrkA complex is endocytosed and retrogradely transported to neuronal cell bodies, where it modulates the expression of bradykinin receptors, acid-sensing ion channel 2/3, voltage-gated sodium channels, and TRPV1, resulting in peripheral sensitization and pain hypersensitivity.
Abbreviations: 5-HT, 5-hydroxytryptamine; ASIC, acid-sensing ion channel; CGRP, calcitonin gene-related peptide; NGF, nerve growth factor; SP, substance P; TrkA, tropomyosin receptor kinase A; TRPV1, transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 1.

Relationship between NGF and OA pain

Pain is the defining symptom of OA, and NGF expression is evident in joints affected by the condition. In humans, elevated NGF levels are found in the synovial fluid of patients with inflammatory or degenerative rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, and OA.¹⁵ In clinical trials, anti-NGF therapy provided significant pain relief.¹⁶ In a recent article,¹⁷ NGF and bradykinin receptors were found to be significantly upregulated in the joints of mice with OA displaying pain-related behavior. In a systematic review of 13 multicenter placebo-controlled trials about hip or knee OA, Schnitzer and Marks¹⁸ identified that NGF inhibition yielded extensive pain relief compared with placebos.

The OA process involves many chemical and physical factors. Next, we present the biologic mechanisms of the risk factors for OA, including interleukin (IL)-1β, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and mechanical stimulation with NGF.

IL-1β elevates NGF expression in the synovium and chondrocytes

Inflammatory factors, especially IL-1β, contribute to OA progression by downregulating the expression of cartilage extracellular matrix components and stimulating the synthesis of MMPs and other cytokines.^2,19 Symptoms are usually linked to inflammation.²⁰

Interestingly, inflammation-induced NGF expression is evident in OA. In a controlled trial,²¹ medial tibial plateaus and synovium samples were harvested from 29 asymptomatic donors (non-OA control group, postmortem) and 29 symptomatic donors (advanced OA group, during total knee replacement). The histopathologic analysis of samples indicated that patients with advanced OA presented more severe synovitis and increased synovial NGF. NGF staining was localized to fibroblasts and some macrophages.²¹ Pecchi et al¹⁹ examined whether proinflammatory cytokines influence NGF synthesis by chondrocytes. Human and mouse articular chondrocytes were cultured with IL-1β. Consequently, NGF mRNA expression was increased by IL-1β in a dose-dependent manner, paralleled by NGF protein release.¹⁹ These findings are consistent with those of Blaney Davidson et al,²² who found that IL-1β elevates NGF expression through TAK1 in the human chondrocyte cell line G6, murine H4 chondrocyte cell line, and bovine primary chondrocytes. This phenomenon was also observed in two other studies investigating the effects of IL-1β exposure on cartilage stem cells and synovial tissue.^23,24

TGF-β1 induces NGF expression in the synovium and chondrocytes

Although it is established that pain is linked to inflammation, some patients with OA pain lack detectable inflammation.²⁵ Iannone et al²⁶ reported that the interplay between NGF and pain perception or other nervous system-related functions may directly influence the growth factors and cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and TGF-β1, the roles of which have been extensively studied in the pathophysiology of cartilage.²⁷ Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Blaney Davidson et al²² identified that TGF-β1 induces NGF expression via the ALK5-Smad2/3 pathway in different cells, including human, murine, and bovine chondrocytes. This induction of NGF by TGF-β1 is more potent than IL-1β stimulus.²² In a recent article¹⁷ that examined damaged joint cartilage from modified mice and pigs with OA, it was demonstrated that injury produces pro-algesic molecules, including NGF. The molecular basis of this is partly dependent on TGF-β-activated kinase 1.¹⁷ Much evidence has been published on the promotion of the OA process by TGF-β1.^28–30

Mechanical loading stimulates NGF expression by chondrocytes

Mechanical overloading is considered the archetypal cause of cartilage damage and pain.³¹ Consequently, the influence of mechanical compression on NGF release in cartilage explants from joints with OA has become a focus of investigation. The accumulation of endogenous NGF was found to induce mechanical allodynia in rats, and similar evidence exists in humans and other models of OA.⁷ Recently, high-extension silicone rubber membranes were used on primary chondrocytes to examine the effect of low-frequency, high-magnitude mechanical strain.³² Mechanical strain was applied for the first 8 hours, followed by 16 hours’ rest, and then another 8 hours’ mechanical strain. Subsequently, NGF mRNA expression was significantly increased. Medium from the treated group was collected and applied to cultured PC12 cells, which are known to respond to NGF by sprouting axon-like neurites. The PC12 cells exposed to the mechanical strain-conditioned medium resembled the NGF-treated group, but differed from vehicle-treated controls or static conditioned medium-treated cells.³² Although 4 hours’ dynamic compression did not increase the NGF levels, the concentration of NGF in the medium surrounding murine costal cartilage explants after 24 hours had significantly increased (4.7-fold versus the control). These findings indicate that NGF is a mechanosensitive gene in chondrocytes.¹⁹ These findings are consistent with data obtained in neurocytes.³³

Other related stimuli

Increased levels of TNF-α and adipokines are found in joints with OA and are thought to play a role in OA progression.³⁴ In isolated synovial cells, synovial fibroblasts and macrophages form a model of OA in which the NGF gene expression increases significantly when exogenous TNF-α is added.²⁴ However, the role of TNF-α in OA pain is controversial because anti-TNF-α therapy is effective in the early, but not the late, phases of OA.³⁵

Anti-NGF therapies

Based on the mechanisms underlying OA, four categories of drugs have been developed and applied to relieve OA pain (Table 1). These drugs include agents that eliminate free NGF, molecules that prevent NGF from binding to the receptor, and drugs that inhibit TrkA activation. Desensitization or blocking of TRPV1 is used to prevent TrkA activation.

Table 1 The four categories of drugs that have been applied to relieve OA pain

Category	Target	Mechanism	References
1	NGF	NGF-capturing agents	^Citation18, ^Citation37
2	NGF	Antagonists at the NGF-binding site	^Citation44^–^Citation46
3	TrkA	Antagonists of TrkA function	^Citation47^–^Citation49
4	TRPV1	Antagonists of TRPV1	^Citation52, ^Citation53

Abbreviations: NGF, nerve growth factor; OA, osteoarthritis; TrkA, tropomyosin receptor kinase A; TRPV1, transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 1.

The NGF-capturing agent RN624, now known as tanezumab, is a highly selective humanized immunoglobulin G2 monoclonal antibody. It can bind NGF directly and neutralize NGF bioactivity. Tanezumab has demonstrated promising therapeutic potential for the treatment of pain, including pain related to cancer³⁶ and OA,³⁷ in animals^38–40 and in clinical trials³⁷ involving acute and chronic pain.^39,41 In a proof-of-concept study by Lane et al,³⁷ 450 patients with or without moderate-to-severe knee OA were examined. With clinically significant reductions ranging from 45% to 62%, tanezumab improved knee pain, stiffness, and limitations of physical function.³⁷ Other antibodies that have been evaluated in Phase III clinical trials include fasinumab (Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY, USA) and fulranumab (Janssen [Beerse, Belgium] and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) and PG110 (PanGenetics BV, Utrecht, the Netherlands). In recent a systematic review, Schnitzer and Marks¹⁸ reviewed the efficacy of these antibodies. They were effective at relieving OA pain when compared with placebos, and of them, tanezumab performed the best.^18,42

Molecules targeting NGF-binding sites have been developed as a result of identification of NGF–TrkA interaction domains.⁴³ They interfere with these domains and block receptor activation. One such molecule, known as ALE0540, inhibits NGF binding to TrkA and p75^NTR and is reportedly effective for the treatment of rat neuropathic and inflammatory pain.⁴⁴ The identity of the molecules that bind to NGF or its receptors is an issue of debate. Recently, the development of surface plasmon resonance technology has enabled evaluation of the inhibitory potential of ALE-0540, PD90780, Ro 08-2750, and PQC083. These compounds bind NGF, rather than the TrkA and p75NTR receptors. PD90780 is the most effective, inhibiting both the NGF–TrkA and NGF–p75NTR interactions, whereas ALE-0540 only inhibits NGF–TrkA binding. Four molecules and novel bivalent naphthalimide derivatives of ALE-0540 also reportedly inhibit the binding of proNGF to the p75NTR receptor.^45,46

It took a long time to develop a drug with high levels of homology for TrkA, TrkB, and TrkC. In mice, the anti-TrkA monoclonal antibody MNAC13 demonstrates a significant antiallodynic effect on neuropathic pain, promoting functional recovery.⁴⁷ Intrathecal administration of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides for TrkA cause a dose-related reduction in hyperalgesia.⁴⁸ In a recent study by Nwosu et al,⁴⁹ AR786, a selective TrkA inhibitor, reduced pain behavior in intra-articular monosodium-iodoacetate injection-induced and meniscal transection-induced models of OA. Thus, selective inhibitors of TrkA exhibit the potential for OA pain relief in the future.

Once opened, TRPV1 promotes Ca²⁺ influx and calcitonin gene-related peptide and substance P expression, leading to central sensitization; therefore, agonists of TRPV1 may be effective for the treatment of OA pain. Anandamide is a TRPV1 agonist that desensitizes TRPV1, reducing Ca²⁺ influx.⁵⁰ However, it failed to show a benefit in clinical trials.⁵¹ Recently, interfering with TRPV1 subunit association using a plasma membrane-tethered peptide was found to relieve mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity in mouse models. This may offer a new method of analgesic treatment.⁵² Kelly et al⁵³ identified the clinical and mechanistic rationale for intra-articular application of TRPV1 antagonists (JNJ-17203212) to treat OA pain.

We reviewed the relationship between NGF and OA pain. It convinced us that targeting NGF/TrkA signaling is an effective method to treat OA pain. In the future, other mechanisms between NGF expression and related pro-algesic mediators will be identified, and specific NGF/TrkA antagonists will play a key role in OA pain relief.

Author contributions

All authors contributed toward data analysis, drafting and revising the paper and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Acknowledgments

We thank Professor Wenjie Jin for his help and guidance. This work was supported by the Scientific Research Fund of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Healthy and Family Planning (grant number 201540274).

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.