Inflammation-Induced Mitochondrial and Metabolic Disturbances in Sensory Neurons Control the Switch from Acute to Chronic Pain

The molecular mechanisms leading to this failure in pain resolution and the transition to chronic pain are poorly understood. Mitochondrial dysfunction in sensory neurons links to chronic pain, but its role in resolution of inflammatory pain is unclear.

Transient inflammation causes neuronal plasticity, called hyperalgesic priming, which impairs resolution of pain induced by a subsequent inflammatory stimulus. We identify that hyperalgesic priming in mice increases the expression of a mitochondrial protein (ATPSc-KMT) and causes mitochondrial and metabolic disturbances in sensory neurons. Inhibition of mitochondrial respiration, knockdown of ATPSCKMT expression or supplementation of the affected metabolite, is sufficient to restore resolution of inflammatory pain and prevent chronic pain development.