Macrophage-to-sensory neuron crosstalk mediated by Angiotensin II type-2 receptor elicits neuropathic pain

ABSTRACT Peripheral nerve damage initiates a complex series of cellular and structural processes that culminate in chronic neuropathic pain. Our study defines local angiotensin signaling via activation of the Angiotensin II (Ang II) type-2 receptor (AT2R) on macrophages as the critical trigger of neuropathic pain. An AT2R-selective antagonist attenuates neuropathic, but not inflammatory pain hypersensitivity in mice, and requires the cell damage-sensing ion channel transient receptor potential family-A member-1 (TRPA1). Mechanical and cold pain hypersensitivity that are characteristic of neuropathic conditions can be attenuated by chemogenetic depletion of peripheral macrophages and AT2R-null hematopoietic cell transplantation. Our findings show no AT2R expression in mouse or human sensory neurons, rather AT2R expression and activation in macrophages triggers production of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, which trans-activate TRPA1 on sensory neurons. Our study defines the precise neuro-immune crosstalk underlying nociceptor sensitization at the site of nerve injury. This form of cell-to-cell signaling represents a critical peripheral mechanism for chronic neuropathic pain, and therefore identifies multiple analgesic targets.