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Zeineddine Y, Friedman MA, Buettmann EG, Abraham LB, Hoppock GA, Donahue HJ. Genetic diversity modulates the physical and transcriptomic response of skeletal muscle to simulated microgravity in male mice. NPJ Microgravity 2023; 9:86. [PMID: 38040743 PMCID: PMC10692100 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-023-00334-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Developments in long-term space exploration necessitate advancements in countermeasures against microgravity-induced skeletal muscle loss. Astronaut data shows considerable variation in muscle loss in response to microgravity. Previous experiments suggest that genetic background influences the skeletal muscle response to unloading, but no in-depth analysis of genetic expression has been performed. Here, we placed eight, male, inbred founder strains of the diversity outbred mice (129S1/SvImJ, A/J, C57BL/6J, CAST/EiJ, NOD/ShiLtJ, NZO/HILtJ, PWK/PhJ, and WSB/EiJ) in simulated microgravity (SM) via hindlimb unloading for three weeks. Body weight, muscle morphology, muscle strength, protein synthesis marker expression, and RNA expression were collected. A/J and CAST/EiJ mice were most susceptible to SM-induced muscle loss, whereas NOD/ShiLtJ mice were the most protected. In response to SM, A/J and CAST/EiJ mice experienced reductions in body weight, muscle mass, muscle volume, and muscle cross-sectional area. A/J mice had the highest number of differentially expressed genes (68) and associated gene ontologies (328). Downregulation of immunological gene ontologies and genes encoding anabolic immune factors suggest that immune dysregulation contributes to the response of A/J mice to SM. Several muscle properties showed significant interactions between SM and mouse strain and a high degree of heritability. These data imply that genetic background plays a role in the degree of muscle loss in SM and that more individualized programs should be developed for astronauts to protect their skeletal muscles against microgravity on long-term missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmina Zeineddine
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Michael A Friedman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Evan G Buettmann
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Lovell B Abraham
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Gabriel A Hoppock
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Henry J Donahue
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
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de Abreu MS, Giacomini ACVV, Genario R, Demin KA, Amstislavskaya TG, Costa F, Rosemberg DB, Sneddon LU, Strekalova T, Soares MC, Kalueff AV. Understanding early-life pain and its effects on adult human and animal emotionality: Translational lessons from rodent and zebrafish models. Neurosci Lett 2022; 768:136382. [PMID: 34861343 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Critical for organismal survival, pain evokes strong physiological and behavioral responses in various sentient species. Clinical and preclinical (animal) studies markedly increase our understanding of biological consequences of developmental (early-life) adversity, as well as acute and chronic pain. However, the long-term effects of early-life pain exposure on human and animal emotional responses remain poorly understood. Here, we discuss experimental models of nociception in rodents and zebrafish, and summarize mounting evidence of the role of early-life pain in shaping emotional traits later in life. We also call for further development of animal models to probe the impact of early-life pain exposure on behavioral traits, brain disorders and novel therapeutic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murilo S de Abreu
- Bioscreening Platform, School of Pharmacy, Southwest University, Chongqing, China; Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil; Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology and Neurobiology, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow, Russia; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), Slidell, LA, USA.
| | - Ana C V V Giacomini
- Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Environmental Sciences, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil
| | - Rafael Genario
- Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil
| | - Konstantin A Demin
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medcial Research Center, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia; Granov Russian Scientific Research Center of Radiology and Surgical Technologies, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Tamara G Amstislavskaya
- Scientific Research Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Novosibirsk, Russia; Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), Slidell, LA, USA
| | - Fabiano Costa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil; Neurobiology Program, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
| | - Denis B Rosemberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), Slidell, LA, USA
| | - Lynne U Sneddon
- University of Gothenburg, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Tatyana Strekalova
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands; Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Normal Physiology, Sechenov 1st Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia; Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Moscow, Russia; Department of Preventive Medicine, Maastricht Medical Center Annadal, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Marta C Soares
- CIBIO, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest University, Chongqing, China; Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia; Neurobiology Program, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia.
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Genetic variability affects the skeletal response to immobilization in founder strains of the diversity outbred mouse population. Bone Rep 2021; 15:101140. [PMID: 34761080 PMCID: PMC8566767 DOI: 10.1016/j.bonr.2021.101140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanical unloading decreases bone volume and strength. In humans and mice, bone mineral density is highly heritable, and in mice the response to changes in loading varies with genetic background. Thus, genetic variability may affect the response of bone to unloading. As a first step to identify genes involved in bones' response to unloading, we evaluated the effects of unloading in eight inbred mouse strains: C57BL/6J, PWK/PhJ, WSB/EiJ, A/J, 129S1/SvImJ, NOD/ShiLtJ, NZO/HlLtJ, and CAST/EiJ. C57BL/6J and NOD/ShiLtJ mice had the greatest unloading-induced loss of diaphyseal cortical bone volume and strength. NZO/HlLtJ mice had the greatest metaphyseal trabecular bone loss, and C57BL/6J, WSB/EiJ, NOD/ShiLtJ, and CAST/EiJ mice had the greatest epiphyseal trabecular bone loss. Bone loss in the epiphyses displayed the highest heritability. With immobilization, mineral:matrix was reduced, and carbonate:phosphate and crystallinity were increased. A/J mice displayed the greatest unloading-induced loss of mineral:matrix. Changes in gene expression in response to unloading were greatest in NOD/ShiLtJ and CAST/EiJ mice. The most upregulated genes in response to unloading were associated with increased collagen synthesis and extracellular matrix formation. Our results demonstrate a strong differential response to unloading as a function of strain. Diversity outbred (DO) mice are a high-resolution mapping population derived from these eight inbred founder strains. These results suggest DO mice will be highly suited for examining the genetic basis of the skeletal response to unloading. Mouse strain affects bone's response to immobilization. Magnitude of bone loss from immobilization is heritable. Bone transcriptomic response to immobilization is influenced by genetic variation.
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Keenan BT, Webster JC, Wiemken AS, Lavi-Romer N, Nguyen T, Svenson KL, Galante RJ, Churchill GA, Pickup S, Pack AI, Schwab RJ. Heritability of fat distributions in male mice from the founder strains of the Diversity Outbred mouse population. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2021; 11:6171186. [PMID: 33720343 PMCID: PMC8104956 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Specific fat distributions are risk factors for complex diseases, including coronary heart disease and obstructive sleep apnea. To demonstrate the utility of high-diversity mouse models for elucidating genetic associations, we describe the phenotyping and heritability of fat distributions within the five classical inbred and three wild-derived founder mouse strains of the Collaborative Cross and Diversity Outbred mice. Measurements of subcutaneous and internal fat volumes in the abdomen, thorax and neck, and fat volumes in the tongue and pericardium were obtained using magnetic resonance imaging in male mice from the A/J (n = 12), C57BL/6J (n = 17), 129S1/SvlmJ (n = 12), NOD/LtJ (n = 14), NZO/HILtJ (n = 12), CAST/EiJ (n = 14), PWK/PhJ (n = 12), and WSB/EiJ (n = 15) strains. Phenotypes were compared across strains using analysis of variance and heritability estimated as the proportion of phenotypic variability attributable to strain. Heritability ranged from 44 to 91% across traits, including >70% heritability of tongue fat. A majority of heritability estimates remained significant controlling for body weight, suggesting genetic influences independent of general obesity. Principal components analysis supports genetic influences on overall obesity and specific to increased pericardial and intra-neck fat. Thus, among the founder strains of the Collaborative Cross and Diversity Outbred mice, we observed significant heritability of subcutaneous and internal fat volumes in the neck, thorax and abdomen, pericardial fat volume and tongue fat volume, consistent with genetic architecture playing an important role in explaining trait variability. Findings pave the way for studies utilizing high-diversity mouse models to identify genes affecting fat distributions and, in turn, influencing risk for associated complex disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan T Keenan
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jeanette C Webster
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Andrew S Wiemken
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nir Lavi-Romer
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Teresa Nguyen
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | - Raymond J Galante
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | - Stephen Pickup
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Allan I Pack
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Richard J Schwab
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Navarro KL, Huss M, Smith JC, Sharp P, Marx JO, Pacharinsak C. Mouse Anesthesia: The Art and Science. ILAR J 2021; 62:238-273. [PMID: 34180990 PMCID: PMC9236661 DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilab016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an art and science to performing mouse anesthesia, which is a significant component to animal research. Frequently, anesthesia is one vital step of many over the course of a research project spanning weeks, months, or beyond. It is critical to perform anesthesia according to the approved research protocol using appropriately handled and administered pharmaceutical-grade compounds whenever possible. Sufficient documentation of the anesthetic event and procedure should also be performed to meet the legal, ethical, and research reproducibility obligations. However, this regulatory and documentation process may lead to the use of a few possibly oversimplified anesthetic protocols used for mouse procedures and anesthesia. Although a frequently used anesthetic protocol may work perfectly for each mouse anesthetized, sometimes unexpected complications will arise, and quick adjustments to the anesthetic depth and support provided will be required. As an old saying goes, anesthesia is 99% boredom and 1% sheer terror. The purpose of this review article is to discuss the science of mouse anesthesia together with the art of applying these anesthetic techniques to provide readers with the knowledge needed for successful anesthetic procedures. The authors include experiences in mouse inhalant and injectable anesthesia, peri-anesthetic monitoring, specific procedures, and treating common complications. This article utilizes key points for easy access of important messages and authors’ recommendation based on the authors’ clinical experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaela L Navarro
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Monika Huss
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jennifer C Smith
- Bioresources Department, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Patrick Sharp
- Office of Research and Economic Development, University of California, Merced, California, USA
- Animal Resources Authority, Murdoch, Australia
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - James O Marx
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Cholawat Pacharinsak
- Corresponding Author: Cholawat Pacharinsak, DVM, PhD, DACVAA, Stanford University, Department of Comparative Medicine, 287 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305-5410, USA. E-mail:
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Maroni CR, Friedman MA, Zhang Y, McClure MJ, Fulle S, Farber CR, Donahue HJ. Genetic variability affects the response of skeletal muscle to disuse. JOURNAL OF MUSCULOSKELETAL & NEURONAL INTERACTIONS 2021; 21:387-396. [PMID: 34465678 PMCID: PMC8426660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine whether genetic variability plays a role in skeletal muscle response to disuse. METHODS We examined skeletal muscle response to disuse in five different strains of mice: CAST/EiJ, NOD/ShiLtJ, NZO/HILtJ, 129S1/SvImJ and A/J. Mice had one limb immobilized by a cast for three weeks. RESULTS Response to immobilization was dependent on the strain of mice. Skeletal muscle mass/body weight was decreased by immobilization in all strains except 1291/SvImJ. Immobilization decreased absolute skeletal muscle mass in quadriceps and gastrocnemius in NOD/ShiltJ and NZO/HILtJ mice. Three weeks of immobilization resulted in an increase in quadriceps levels of atrogenes in CAST/EiJ. Immobilization resulted in an increase in quadriceps and gastrocnemius levels of Myh4 in CAST/EiJ. A similar trend was observed for Myh7 in gastrocnemius muscle. Immobilization resulted in a decrease of the p-p70S6K1/total p706SK1 ratio in quadriceps of NOD/ShiLtJ mice and the gastrocnemius of A/J mice. Immobilization did not affect the p-4EBP1/total 4EBP1 ratio in quadriceps of any of the strains examined. However, the p-4EBP1/total 4EBP1 ratio in gastrocnemius was greater in immobilized, relative to control, limbs in CAST/EiJ mice. CONCLUSION Genetic variability affects the response of skeletal muscle to disuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Reina Maroni
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti- Pescara, Chieti, Italy,Institute for Engineering and Medicine and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Michael A. Friedman
- Institute for Engineering and Medicine and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Yue Zhang
- Institute for Engineering and Medicine and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Michael J. McClure
- Institute for Engineering and Medicine and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Stefania Fulle
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti- Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Charles R. Farber
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Henry J. Donahue
- Institute for Engineering and Medicine and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA,Corresponding author: Henry J. Donahue, Ph.D., Institute for Engineering and Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America E-mail:
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7
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The influence of rat strain on the development of neuropathic pain and comorbid anxio-depressive behaviour after nerve injury. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20981. [PMID: 33262364 PMCID: PMC7708988 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77640-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Back-translating the clinical manifestations of human disease burden into animal models is increasingly recognized as an important facet of preclinical drug discovery. We hypothesized that inbred rat strains possessing stress hyper-reactive-, depressive- or anxiety-like phenotypes may possess more translational value than common outbred strains for modeling neuropathic pain. Rats (inbred: LEW, WKY, F344/ICO and F344/DU, outbred: Crl:SD) were exposed to Spared Nerve Injury (SNI) and evaluated routinely for 6 months on behaviours related to pain (von Frey stimulation and CatWalk-gait analysis), anxiety (elevated plus maze, EPM) and depression (sucrose preference test, SPT). Markers of stress reactivity together with spinal/brain opioid receptor expression were also measured. All strains variously developed mechanical allodynia after SNI with the exception of stress-hyporesponsive LEW rats, despite all strains displaying similar functional gait-deficits after injury. However, affective changes reflective of anxiety- and depressive-like behaviour were only observed for F344/DU in the EPM, and for Crl:SD in SPT. Although differences in stress reactivity and opioid receptor expression occurred, overall they were relatively unaffected by SNI. Thus, anxio-depressive behaviours did not develop in all strains after nerve injury, and correlated only modestly with degree of pain sensitivity or with genetic predisposition to stress and/or affective disturbances.
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Doolittle ML, Calabrese GM, Mesner LD, Godfrey DA, Maynard RD, Ackert-Bicknell CL, Farber CR. Genetic analysis of osteoblast activity identifies Zbtb40 as a regulator of osteoblast activity and bone mass. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008805. [PMID: 32497039 PMCID: PMC7326283 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteoporosis is a genetic disease characterized by progressive reductions in bone mineral density (BMD) leading to an increased risk of fracture. Over the last decade, genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified over 1000 associations for BMD. However, as a phenotype BMD is challenging as bone is a multicellular tissue affected by both local and systemic physiology. Here, we focused on a single component of BMD, osteoblast-mediated bone formation in mice, and identified associations influencing osteoblast activity on mouse Chromosomes (Chrs) 1, 4, and 17. The locus on Chr. 4 was in an intergenic region between Wnt4 and Zbtb40, homologous to a locus for BMD in humans. We tested both Wnt4 and Zbtb40 for a role in osteoblast activity and BMD. Knockdown of Zbtb40, but not Wnt4, in osteoblasts drastically reduced mineralization. Additionally, loss-of-function mouse models for both genes exhibited reduced BMD. Our results highlight that investigating the genetic basis of in vitro osteoblast mineralization can be used to identify genes impacting bone formation and BMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison L. Doolittle
- Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Gina M. Calabrese
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Larry D. Mesner
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Dana A. Godfrey
- Department of Orthopedics, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Robert D. Maynard
- Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Department of Orthopedics, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Cheryl L. Ackert-Bicknell
- Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Department of Orthopedics, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Charles R. Farber
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
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9
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Smith JC. A Review of Strain and Sex Differences in Response to Pain and Analgesia in Mice. Comp Med 2019; 69:490-500. [PMID: 31822324 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-cm-19-000066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Pain and its alleviation are currently a highly studied issue in human health. Research on pain and response to analgesia has evolved to include the effects of genetics, heritability, and sex as important components in both humans and animals. The laboratory mouse is the major animal studied in the field of pain and analgesia. Studying the inbred mouse to understand how genetic heritable traits and/or sex influence pain and analgesia has added valuable information to the complex nature of pain as a human disease. In the context of biomedical research, identifying pain and ensuring its control through analgesia in research animals remains one of the hallmark responsibilities of the research community. Advancements in both human and mouse genomic research shed light not only on the need to understand how both strain and sex affect the mouse pain response but also on how these research achievements can be used to improve the humane use of all research animal species. A better understanding of how strain and sex affect the response to pain may allow researchers to improve study design and thereby the reproducibility of animal research studies. The need to use both sexes, along with an improved understanding of how genetic heritability affects nociception and analgesic sensitivity, remains a key priority for pain researchers working with mice. This review summarizes the current literature on how strain and sex alter the response to pain and analgesia in the modern research mouse, and highlights the importance of both strain and sex selection in pain research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer C Smith
- Department of Bioresources, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan;,
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10
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Hestehave S, Abelson KSP, Brønnum Pedersen T, Munro G. Stress sensitivity and cutaneous sensory thresholds before and after neuropathic injury in various inbred and outbred rat strains. Behav Brain Res 2019; 375:112149. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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11
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Hestehave S, Abelson KSP, Brønnum Pedersen T, Munro G. The analgesic efficacy of morphine varies with rat strain and experimental pain model: implications for target validation efforts in pain drug discovery. Eur J Pain 2018; 23:539-554. [PMID: 30318662 PMCID: PMC6587867 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Background Translating efficacy of analgesic drugs from animal models to humans remains challenging. Reasons are multifaceted, but lack of sufficiently rigorous preclinical study design criteria and phenotypically relevant models may be partly responsible. To begin to address this fundamental issue, we assessed the analgesic efficacy of morphine in three inbred rat strains (selected based on stress reactivity and affective/pain phenotypes), and outbred Sprague Dawley (SD) rats supplied from two vendors. Methods Sensitivity to morphine (0.3–6.0 mg/kg, s.c.) was evaluated in the hot plate test of acute thermal nociception, the Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) model of inflammatory‐induced mechanical hyperalgesia, and in a locomotor motility assay in male rats from the following strains; Lewis (LEW), Fischer (F344), Wistar Kyoto (WKY), and SD's from Envigo and Charles River. Results F344 and SD rats were similarly sensitive to morphine in hot plate and CFA‐induced inflammatory hyperalgesia (Minimum Effective Dose (MED) = 3.0 mg/kg). WKY rats developed a less robust mechanical hypersensitivity after CFA injection, and were less sensitive to morphine in both pain tests (MED = 6.0 mg/kg). LEW rats were completely insensitive to morphine in the hot plate test, in contrast to the reversal of CFA‐induced hyperalgesia (MED = 3.0 mg/kg). All strains exhibited a dose‐dependent reduction in locomotor activity at 3.0–6.0 mg/kg. Conclusion Sensory phenotyping in response to acute thermal and inflammatory‐induced pain, and sensitivity to morphine in various inbred and outbred rat strains indicates that different pathophysiological mechanisms are engaged after injury. This could have profound implications for translating preclinical drug discovery efforts into pain patients. Significance The choice of rat strain used in preclinical pain research can profoundly affect the outcome of experiments in relation to (a) nociceptive threshold responses, and (b) efficacy to analgesic treatment, in assays of acute and tonic inflammatory nociceptive pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Hestehave
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,H. Lundbeck A/S, Valby, Denmark
| | - Klas S P Abelson
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Gordon Munro
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Glostrup Research Institute, Glostrup, Copenhagen, Denmark
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12
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Cooper MA, Jack MM, Ryals JM, Hayley P, Escher T, Koch LG, Britton SL, Raupp SM, Winter MK, McCarson KE, Geiger PC, Thyfault JP, Wright DE. Rats bred for low and high running capacity display alterations in peripheral tissues and nerves relevant to neuropathy and pain. Brain Behav 2017; 7:e00780. [PMID: 29075557 PMCID: PMC5651381 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Diet and activity are recognized as modulators of nervous system disease, including pain. Studies of exercise consistently reveal a benefit on pain. This study focused on female rats to understand differences related to metabolic status and peripheral nerve function in females. METHODS Here, we investigated parameters of peripheral nerve function relevant to pain in rats selectively bred for high (high-capacity runners; HCR) or low endurance exercise capacity (low-capacity runners; LCR) resulting in divergent intrinsic aerobic capacities and susceptibility for metabolic conditions. RESULTS LCR female rats have reduced mechanical sensitivity, higher intraepidermal nerve fiber density and TrkA-positive epidermal axons, increased numbers of Langerhans and mast cells in cutaneous tissues, and a higher fat content despite similar overall body weights compared to female HCR rats. Sensory and motor nerve conduction velocities, thermal sensitivity, and mRNA expression of selected genes relevant to peripheral sensation were not different. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that aerobic capacity and metabolic status influence sensory sensitivity and aspects of inflammation in peripheral tissues that could lead to poor responses to tissue damage and painful stimuli. The LCR and HCR rats should prove useful as models to assess how the metabolic status impacts pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Cooper
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology University of Kansas Medical Center Kansas City KS
| | - Megan M Jack
- Department of Neurosurgery University of Kansas Medical Center Kansas City KS
| | - Janelle M Ryals
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology University of Kansas Medical Center Kansas City KS
| | - Page Hayley
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology University of Kansas Medical Center Kansas City KS
| | - Taylor Escher
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology University of Kansas Medical Center Kansas City KS
| | - Lauren G Koch
- Department of Anesthesiology University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI
| | - Steven L Britton
- Department of Anesthesiology University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI.,Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI
| | - Shelby M Raupp
- Department of Anesthesiology University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI
| | - Michelle K Winter
- Kansas Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research University of Kansas Medical Center Kansas City KS
| | - Kenneth E McCarson
- Department of Pharmacology Toxicology and Therapeutics University of Kansas Medical Center Kansas City KS
| | - Paige C Geiger
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology University of Kansas Medical Center Kansas City KS
| | - John P Thyfault
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology University of Kansas Medical Center Kansas City KS.,Research Service Kansas City Medical Center Kansas City MO
| | - Douglas E Wright
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology University of Kansas Medical Center Kansas City KS
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Ciszek BP, O'Buckley SC, Nackley. AG. Persistent Catechol-O-methyltransferase-dependent Pain Is Initiated by Peripheral β-Adrenergic Receptors. Anesthesiology 2016; 124:1122-35. [PMID: 26950706 PMCID: PMC5015695 DOI: 10.1097/aln.0000000000001070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with chronic pain disorders exhibit increased levels of catecholamines alongside diminished activity of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), an enzyme that metabolizes catecholamines. The authors found that acute pharmacologic inhibition of COMT in rodents produces hypersensitivity to mechanical and thermal stimuli via β-adrenergic receptor (βAR) activation. The contribution of distinct βAR populations to the development of persistent pain linked to abnormalities in catecholamine signaling requires further investigation. METHODS Here, the authors sought to determine the contribution of peripheral, spinal, and supraspinal βARs to persistent COMT-dependent pain. They implanted osmotic pumps to deliver the COMT inhibitor OR486 (Tocris, USA) for 2 weeks. Behavioral responses to mechanical and thermal stimuli were evaluated before and every other day after pump implantation. The site of action was evaluated in adrenalectomized rats receiving sustained OR486 or in intact rats receiving sustained βAR antagonists peripherally, spinally, or supraspinally alongside OR486. RESULTS The authors found that male (N = 6) and female (N = 6) rats receiving sustained OR486 exhibited decreased paw withdrawal thresholds (control 5.74 ± 0.24 vs. OR486 1.54 ± 0.08, mean ± SEM) and increased paw withdrawal frequency to mechanical stimuli (control 4.80 ± 0.22 vs. OR486 8.10 ± 0.13) and decreased paw withdrawal latency to thermal heat (control 9.69 ± 0.23 vs. OR486 5.91 ± 0.11). In contrast, adrenalectomized rats (N = 12) failed to develop OR486-induced hypersensitivity. Furthermore, peripheral (N = 9), but not spinal (N = 4) or supraspinal (N = 4), administration of the nonselective βAR antagonist propranolol, the β2AR antagonist ICI-118,511, or the β3AR antagonist SR59230A blocked the development of OR486-induced hypersensitivity. CONCLUSIONS Peripheral adrenergic input is necessary for the development of persistent COMT-dependent pain, and peripherally-acting βAR antagonists may benefit chronic pain patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittney P. Ciszek
- Center for Pain Research and Innovation, Koury Oral Health Sciences Building, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill NC 27599-7455
| | - Sandra C. O'Buckley
- Center for Pain Research and Innovation, Koury Oral Health Sciences Building, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill NC 27599-7455
| | - Andrea G. Nackley.
- Center for Pain Research and Innovation, Koury Oral Health Sciences Building, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill NC 27599-7455
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14
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Enhanced spinal neuronal responses as a mechanism for the increased nociceptive sensitivity of interleukin-4 deficient mice. Exp Neurol 2015; 271:198-204. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2015.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Revised: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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15
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Belfer I. Nature and nurture of human pain. SCIENTIFICA 2013; 2013:415279. [PMID: 24278778 PMCID: PMC3820306 DOI: 10.1155/2013/415279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2013] [Accepted: 03/14/2013] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Humans are very different when it comes to pain. Some get painful piercings and tattoos; others can not stand even a flu shot. Interindividual variability is one of the main characteristics of human pain on every level including the processing of nociceptive impulses at the periphery, modification of pain signal in the central nervous system, perception of pain, and response to analgesic strategies. As for many other complex behaviors, the sources of this variability come from both nurture (environment) and nature (genes). Here, I will discuss how these factors contribute to human pain separately and via interplay and how epigenetic mechanisms add to the complexity of their effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inna Belfer
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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16
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Smith MT, Muralidharan A. Pharmacogenetics of pain and analgesia. Clin Genet 2012; 82:321-30. [PMID: 22779698 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.2012.01936.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2012] [Revised: 07/08/2012] [Accepted: 07/08/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Pain severity ratings and the analgesic dosing requirements of patients with apparently similar pain conditions may differ considerably between individuals. Contributing factors include those of genetic and environmental origin with epigenetic mechanisms that enable dynamic gene-environment interaction, more recently implicated in pain modulation. Insight into genetic factors underpinning inter-patient variability in pain sensitivity has come from rodent heritability studies as well as familial aggregation and twin studies in humans. Indeed, more than 350 candidate pain genes have been identified as potentially contributing to heritable differences in pain sensitivity. A large number of genetic association studies conducted in patients with a variety of clinical pain types or in humans exposed to experimentally induced pain stimuli in the laboratory setting, have examined the impact of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in various target genes on pain sensitivity and/or analgesic dosing requirements. However, the findings of such studies have generally failed to replicate or have been only partially replicated by independent investigators. Deficiencies in study conduct including use of small sample size, inappropriate statistical methods and inadequate attention to the possibility that between-study differences in environmental factors may alter pain phenotypes through epigenetic mechanisms, have been identified as being significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- M T Smith
- Centre for Integrated Preclinical Drug Development, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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17
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Delawary M, Tezuka T, Kiyama Y, Yokoyama K, Wada E, Wada K, Manabe T, Yamamoto T, Nakazawa T. NMDAR2B tyrosine phosphorylation is involved in thermal nociception. Neurosci Lett 2012; 516:270-3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2012.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2012] [Revised: 03/24/2012] [Accepted: 04/02/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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18
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Magerl W, Burkart D, Fernandez A, Schmidt LG, Treede RD. Persistent antinociception through repeated self-injury in patients with borderline personality disorder. Pain 2012; 153:575-584. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2011.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2011] [Revised: 11/16/2011] [Accepted: 11/18/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Ferdowsian H, Merskin D. Parallels in sources of trauma, pain, distress, and suffering in humans and nonhuman animals. J Trauma Dissociation 2012; 13:448-68. [PMID: 22651679 DOI: 10.1080/15299732.2011.652346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
It is widely accepted that animals often experience pain and distress as a result of their use in scientific experimentation. However, unlike human suffering, the wide range of acute, recurrent, and chronic stressors and trauma on animals is rarely evaluated. In order to better understand the cumulative effects of captivity and laboratory research conditions on animals, we explore parallels between human experiences of pain and psychological distress and those of animals based on shared brain structures and physiological mechanisms. We review anatomical, physiological, and behavioral similarities between humans and other animals regarding the potential for suffering. In addition, we examine associations between research conditions and indicators of pain and distress. We include 4 case studies of common animal research protocols in order to illustrate incidental and experimental factors that can lead to animal suffering. Finally, we identify parallels between established traumatic conditions for humans and existing laboratory conditions for animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hope Ferdowsian
- Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine, Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
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20
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES In the clinical setting, there is marked intersubject variability in the intensity of pain reported by patients with apparently similar pain states, as well as widely differing analgesic dosing requirements between individuals to produce satisfactory pain relief with tolerable side-effects. Genetic and environmental factors as well as their interaction are implicated, and these are discussed in this review. KEY FINDINGS Pioneering work undertaken in mice more than a decade ago, showed a strong genetic contribution to levels of nociception/hypersensitivity as well as levels of antinociception produced by commonly available analgesic agents. To date more than 300 candidate 'pain' genes have been identified as potentially contributing to heritable differences in pain sensitivity and analgesic responsiveness in animals and humans, with this information available in a publicly accessible database http://www.jbldesign.com/jmogil/enter.html. Since then, many genetic association studies have been conducted in humans to investigate the possibility that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in an individual gene may explain drug inefficacy or excessive toxicity experienced by a small subset of the whole population who have the rare allele for a particular SNP. SUMMARY Despite the fact that SNPs in more than 20 genes that affect pain sensitivity or contribute to interindividual variability in responses to analgesic medications have been identified in the human genome, much of the data is conflicting. Apart from deficiencies in the design and conduct of human genetic association studies, recent research from other fields has implicated epigenetic mechanisms that facilitate dynamic gene-environment communication, as a possible explanation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjun Muralidharan
- The University of Queensland, Centre for Integrated Preclinical Drug Development and School of Pharmacy, Steele Building, St Lucia Campus, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Genetic variability of pain perception and treatment—clinical pharmacological implications. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2011; 67:541-51. [DOI: 10.1007/s00228-011-1012-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2010] [Accepted: 02/02/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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CNS animal fMRI in pain and analgesia. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2010; 35:1125-43. [PMID: 21126534 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2010.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2010] [Revised: 11/22/2010] [Accepted: 11/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Animal imaging of brain systems offers exciting opportunities to better understand the neurobiology of pain and analgesia. Overall functional studies have lagged behind human studies as a result of technical issues including the use of anesthesia. Now that many of these issues have been overcome including the possibility of imaging awake animals, there are new opportunities to study whole brain systems neurobiology of acute and chronic pain as well as analgesic effects on brain systems de novo (using pharmacological MRI) or testing in animal models of pain. Understanding brain networks in these areas may provide new insights into translational science, and use neural networks as a "language of translation" between preclinical to clinical models. In this review we evaluate the role of functional and anatomical imaging in furthering our understanding in pain and analgesia.
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Abstract
Pain is an integral part of the defense mechanisms required for survival. Several hereditary syndromes of complete or almost complete insensitivity to pain have been identified and include channelopathy-associated pain insensitivity, of which the most likely candidate gene is the α-subunit of the voltage-gated sodium channel known as Na(v)1.7. Five hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy syndromes have been described. Variable pain sensitivity in the general population has been linked to common variants of the μ-opioid receptor and of the catecholamine-O-methyltransferase genes potentially leading to increased opioid tonus. Variants of the guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase 1/dopa-responsive dystonia gene appear to regulate nociception. Other candidate genes are the transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily 5 member 1, gene and the melanocortin-1 receptor gene. Candidate genes for predicting opioid efficacy are drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters-including cytochrome P450, uridine 5'-diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferases, and adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporters-that are involved in opioid metabolism. Most current knowledge on the genetic regulation of pain has been derived from animal models developed mainly in mice. Genomics has the potential to contribute to therapeutic advances with the promising approach of using small interfering RNA in the control of neuropathic pain. Knowledge of the genetic factors that affect opioid efficacy, metabolism, and adverse effects has the potential for personalizing both acute and chronic pain management, and for designing more useful opiate pain medications with lower adverse event profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanne Tremblay
- Research Centre, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM)-Technopôle Angus, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. johanne.tremblay.@umontreal.ca
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