Meteorin alleviates Paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy in mice

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a challenging condition to treat, and arises due to severe, dose-limiting toxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs such as paclitaxel. This often results in debilitating sensory and motor deficits that are not effectively prevented or alleviated by existing therapeutic interventions. Recent studies have demonstrated the therapeutic effects of Meteorin, a neurotrophic factor, in reversing neuropathic pain in rodent models of peripheral nerve injury induced by physical trauma. Here, we sought to investigate the potential antinociceptive effects of recombinant mouse Meteorin (rmMeteorin) using a paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy model in male and female mice. Paclitaxel treatment (4 x 4mg/kg, i.p.) induced hind paw mechanical hypersensitivity by day 8 after treatment. Thereafter, in a reversal dosing paradigm, five repeated injections of rmMeteorin (0.5 and 1.8mg/kg s.c. respectively) administered over 9 days produced a significant and long-lasting attenuation of mechanical hypersensitivity in both sexes. Additionally, administration of rmMeteorin (0.5 and 1.8mg/kg), initiated before and during paclitaxel treatment (prevention dosing paradigm), blocked the establishment of hind paw mechanical hypersensitivity. Repeated systemic administration of rmMeteorin in both dosing paradigms decreased histochemical signs of satellite glial cell reactivity as measured by glutamine synthetase and connexin43 protein expression in the DRG. Additionally, in the prevention administration paradigm rmMeteorin had a protective effect against paclitaxel-induced loss of intraepidermal nerve fibers. Our findings indicate that rmMeteorin has a robust and sustained antinociceptive effect in the paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy model and the development of recombinant human Meteorin could be a novel and effective therapeutic for CIPN treatment. HighlightsO_LIMeteorin produces an antinociceptive effect in both male and female mice treated with paclitaxel. C_LIO_LISatellite glial cell reactivity induced by paclitaxel treatment is reversed by Meteorin. C_LIO_LIRetraction of intraepidermal nerve fibre (IENF) is blocked by Meteorin treatment in paclitaxel treated mice. C_LIO_LIFindings suggest a disease modifying effect of Meteorin in the mouse model of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy. C_LI