Differential roles of serotonin receptor subtypes in regulation of neurotrophin receptor expression and intestinal hypernociception.

Objectives: Aberrant serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) metabolism and neurite outgrowth were associated with abdominal pain in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We previously demonstrated that 5-HT receptor subtype 7 (5-HT₇) was involved in visceral hypersensitivity of IBS-like mouse models. The aim was to compare the analgesic effects of a novel 5-HT₇ antagonist to reference standards in mouse models and investigate the mechanisms of 5-HT₇-dependent neuroplasticity.

Methods: Two mouse models, including Giardia post-infection combined with water avoidance stress (GW) and post-resolution of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis (PT) were used. Mice were orally administered CYY1005 (CYY, a novel 5-HT₇ antagonist), alosetron (ALN, a 5-HT₃ antagonist), and loperamide (LPM, an opioid receptor agonist) prior to measurement of visceromotor responses (VMR). Levels of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and neurotrophin receptors (NTRs) were assessed.

Results: Peroral CYY was more potent than ALN or LPM in reducing VMR values in GW and PT mice. Increased mucosal 5-HT₇-expressing nerve fibers were associated with elevated levels in the mouse colon. We observed higher colonic and expression in GW mice, and increased expression in PT mice compared with control mice. Human SH-SY5Y cells stimulated with mouse colonic supernatant or exogenous serotonin exhibited longer nerve fibers, which CYY dose-dependently inhibited. Serotonin increased and expression via 5-HT₇ but not 5-HT₃ or 5-HT₄, while upregulation was dependent on all three 5-HT receptor subtypes.

Conclusions: Stronger analgesic effects by peroral CYY were observed compared with reference standards in two IBS-like mouse models. The 5-HT₇-dependent NTR upregulation and neurite elongation may be involved in intestinal hypernociception.