Functional Upregulation of TRPM3 Channels Contributes to Acute Pancreatitis-associated Pain and Inflammation

Transient receptor potential melastatin M3 (TRPM3) channels have been recognized as a pain transducer in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in recent years. TRPM3 activation initiates neurogenic inflammation and is required for the development of inflammatory hyperalgesia. We aimed to evaluate the role of TRPM3 in pancreas sensory afferents in pancreatic nociception, neurogenic inflammation, and acute pancreatitis (AP)-associated pain. AP was induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of L-arginine in rats. TRPM3 expression in pancreatic DRG neurons, spontaneous or mechanical-stimulation-evoked pain behaviors, and the extent of inflammation were evaluated. We found that TRPM3 channels were expressed on pancreatic primary afferent nerve terminals containing calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Activation of TRPM3 in the pancreas by injection of its specific agonist CIM0216 (10 μM) induced pain, CGRP and substance P release, and neurogenic inflammation, as evidenced by edema, plasma extravasation, and inflammatory cell accumulation in the pancreas. Increased TRPM3 functional expression was detected in pancreatic DRG neurons from AP rats, and blocking TRPM3 activity with its antagonist (Primidone, 5 mg/kg, i.p.) attenuated AP-associated pain behaviors and pancreatic inflammation. Pre-incubation of pancreatic DRG neurons with nerve growth factor (NGF) enhanced the increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ induced by the TRPM3 agonist (CIM0216, 1 μM). Our findings indicate that, in addition to TRPV1 and TRPA1 channels, TRPM3 is another pain channel that has a critical role in pancreatic nociception, neurogenic inflammation, and AP-associated pain behaviors. TRPM3 may be a promising pharmaceutical target for AP pain treatment.