BDNF and IL-33 Dynamics in an Ultrasound Stress Model of Fibromyalgia-like Phenotypes

Fibromyalgia, a syndrome characterized by hyperalgesia and ‘negative emotionality’, and major depressive disorder (MDD) demonstrate substantial overlaps in clinical, neurobiological, and therapeutic domains. Currently, treatment options for fibromyalgia remain limited; however, the epidemiology of this syndrome continues to grow worldwide. The use of animal models is indispensable for developing new treatment strategies for fibromyalgia. Meanwhile, the choice of animal paradigms is limited. Here, we used the ultrasound exposure of emotional stress on CBA, BALB/c, and C57BL/6 mouse strains to model this condition and to identify new molecular targets of fibromyalgia treatment. We exposed young male mice of three common strains to a three-week ultrasound stress (US) comprising emotionally negative and neutral frequencies of 20–25 kHz and 25–45 kHz, resulting in the development of altered pain sensitivity and signs of ‘negative emotionality’. Specifically, mice were studied for timid-like/aggressive behaviors and the tail flick response. Serum levels of corticosterone, cortisol, β-Endorphin, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), as well as brain gene expression of interleukin-33 (Il-33), Bdnf, and its receptor Trkb were investigated. Among the stressed mouse strains, C57BL/6 mice displayed augmented pain sensitivity, allodynia, and suppressed dominant behavior, whereas CBA and BALB/c mice demonstrated opposing changes. Glucocorticoid levels were increased in all stressed groups. Stressed C57BL/6 mice showed downregulated gene and protein expression of functionally inter-related BDNF and IL-33 molecules in the hippocampus, amygdala, and striatum, significantly correlating with behavioral outcomes, as well as lowered blood levels of β-Endorphin and elevated cortisol concentrations. Altogether, our study identified the BDNF/IL-33 regulatory pathway as a molecular correlate of fibromyalgia, and the use of US-exposed young C57BL/6 mice as a potential model that recapitulates this syndrome.