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Ghovanloo MR, Tyagi S, Zhao P, Effraim PR, Dib-Hajj SD, Waxman SG. Sodium currents in naïve mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons: No major differences between sexes. Channels (Austin) 2024; 18:2289256. [PMID: 38055732 PMCID: PMC10761158 DOI: 10.1080/19336950.2023.2289256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexual dimorphism has been reported in multiple pre-clinical and clinical studies on pain. Previous investigations have suggested that in at least some states, rodent dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons display differential sex-dependent regulation and expression patterns of various proteins involved in the pain pathway. Our goal in this study was to determine whether sexual dimorphism in the biophysical properties of voltage-gated sodium (Nav) currents contributes to these observations in rodents. We recently developed a novel method that enables high-throughput, unbiased, and automated functional analysis of native rodent sensory neurons from naïve WT mice profiled simultaneously under uniform experimental conditions. In our previous study, we performed all experiments in neurons that were obtained from mixed populations of adult males or females, which were combined into single (combined male/female) data sets. Here, we have re-analyzed the same previously published data and segregated the cells based on sex. Although the number of cells in our previously published data sets were uneven for some comparisons, our results do not show sex-dependent differences in the biophysical properties of Nav currents in these native DRG neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad-Reza Ghovanloo
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Neuroscience & Regeneration Research, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Neuro-Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sidharth Tyagi
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Neuroscience & Regeneration Research, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Neuro-Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Peng Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Neuroscience & Regeneration Research, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Neuro-Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Philip R. Effraim
- Center for Neuroscience & Regeneration Research, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Neuro-Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sulayman D. Dib-Hajj
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Neuroscience & Regeneration Research, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Neuro-Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Stephen G. Waxman
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Neuroscience & Regeneration Research, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Neuro-Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
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2
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Yu X, Zhao X, Li L, Huang Y, Cui C, Hu Q, Xu H, Yin B, Chen X, Zhao D, Qiu Y, Hou Y. Recent advances in small molecule Nav 1.7 inhibitors for cancer pain management. Bioorg Chem 2024; 150:107605. [PMID: 38971095 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
The dorsal root ganglion (DRG) is the primary neuron responsible for transmitting peripheral pain signals to the central nervous system and plays a crucial role in pain transduction. Modulation of DRG excitability is considered a viable approach for pain management. Neuronal excitability is intricately linked to the ion channels on the neurons. The small and medium-sized DRG neurons are chiefly engaged in pain conduction and have high levels of TTX-S sodium channels, with Nav1.7 accounting for approximately 80% of the current. Voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC or Nav) blockers are vital targets for the management of central nervous system diseases, particularly chronic pain. VGSCs play a key role in controlling cellular excitability. Clinical research has shown that Nav1.7 plays a crucial role in pain sensation, and there is strong genetic evidence linking Nav1.7 and its encoding gene SCN9A gene to painful disorders in humans. Many studies have shown that Nav1.7 plays an important role in pain management. The role of Nav1.7 in pain signaling pathways makes it an attractive target for the potential development of new pain drugs. Meanwhile, understanding the architecture of Nav1.7 may help to develop the next generation of painkillers. This review provides updates on the recently reported molecular inhibitors targeting the Nav1.7 pathway, summarizes their structure-activity relationships (SARs), and discusses their therapeutic effects on painful diseases. Pharmaceutical chemists are working to improve the therapeutic index of Nav1.7 inhibitors, achieve better analgesic effects, and reduce side effects. We hope that this review will contribute to the development of novel Nav1.7 inhibitors as potential drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoquan Yu
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Xingyi Zhao
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Lingjun Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yufeng Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Chaoyang Cui
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Qiaoguan Hu
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Haoyu Xu
- Yangtze River Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd., 1 South Yangtze River Road, Taizhou City, Jiangsu Province, 225321, China
| | - Bixi Yin
- Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group Jiangsu Haici Biological Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 8 Taizhen Road, Medical New & Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone, Taizhou City, Jiangsu Province, 225321, China
| | - Xiao Chen
- Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group Jiangsu Haici Biological Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 8 Taizhen Road, Medical New & Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone, Taizhou City, Jiangsu Province, 225321, China
| | - Dong Zhao
- Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group Jiangsu Haici Biological Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 8 Taizhen Road, Medical New & Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone, Taizhou City, Jiangsu Province, 225321, China
| | - Yue Qiu
- Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group Jiangsu Haici Biological Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 8 Taizhen Road, Medical New & Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone, Taizhou City, Jiangsu Province, 225321, China
| | - Yunlei Hou
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang 110016, China.
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3
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Mulcahy JV, Beckley JT, Klas SD, Odink DA, Delwig A, Pajouhesh H, Monteleone D, Zhou X, Du Bois J, Yeomans DC, Luu G, Hunter JC. ST-2560, a selective inhibitor of the Na V1.7 sodium channel, affects nocifensive and cardiovascular reflexes in non-human primates. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:3160-3171. [PMID: 38715413 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The voltage-gated sodium channel isoform NaV1.7 is a high-interest target for the development of non-opioid analgesics due to its preferential expression in pain-sensing neurons. NaV1.7 is also expressed in autonomic neurons, yet its contribution to involuntary visceral reflexes has received limited attention. The small molecule inhibitor ST-2560 was advanced into pain behaviour and cardiovascular models to understand the pharmacodynamic effects of selective inhibition of NaV1.7. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Potency of ST-2560 at NaV1.7 and off-target ion channels was evaluated by whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology. Effects on nocifensive reflexes were assessed in non-human primate (NHP) behavioural models, employing the chemical capsaicin and mechanical stimuli. Cardiovascular parameters were monitored continuously in freely-moving, telemetered NHPs following administration of vehicle and ST-2560. KEY RESULTS ST-2560 is a potent inhibitor (IC50 = 39 nM) of NaV1.7 in primates with ≥1000-fold selectivity over other isoforms of the human NaV1.x family. Following systemic administration, ST-2560 (0.1-0.3 mg·kg-1, s.c.) suppressed noxious mechanical- and chemical-evoked reflexes at free plasma concentrations threefold to fivefold above NaV1.7 IC50. ST-2560 (0.1-1.0 mg·kg-1, s.c.) also produced changes in haemodynamic parameters, most notably a 10- to 20-mmHg reduction in systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressure, at similar exposures. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Acute pharmacological inhibition of NaV1.7 is antinociceptive, but also has the potential to impact the cardiovascular system. Further work is merited to understand the role of NaV1.7 in autonomic ganglia involved in the control of heart rate and blood pressure, and the effect of selective NaV1.7 inhibition on cardiovascular function.
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Affiliation(s)
- John V Mulcahy
- SiteOne Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jacob T Beckley
- SiteOne Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Sheri D Klas
- SiteOne Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Debra A Odink
- SiteOne Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Anton Delwig
- SiteOne Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Hassan Pajouhesh
- SiteOne Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Xiang Zhou
- SiteOne Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Justin Du Bois
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - David C Yeomans
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - George Luu
- SiteOne Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - John C Hunter
- SiteOne Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
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Zhou R, Fu W, Vasylyev D, Waxman SG, Liu CJ. Ion channels in osteoarthritis: emerging roles and potential targets. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2024; 20:545-564. [PMID: 39122910 DOI: 10.1038/s41584-024-01146-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent joint disease that causes substantial disability, yet effective approaches to disease prevention or to the delay of OA progression are lacking. Emerging evidence has pinpointed ion channels as pivotal mediators in OA pathogenesis and as promising targets for disease-modifying treatments. Preclinical studies have assessed the potential of a variety of ion channel modulators to modify disease pathways involved in cartilage degeneration, synovial inflammation, bone hyperplasia and pain, and to provide symptomatic relief in models of OA. Some of these modulators are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. This review explores the structures and functions of ion channels, including transient receptor potential channels, Piezo channels, voltage-gated sodium channels, voltage-dependent calcium channels, potassium channels, acid-sensing ion channels, chloride channels and the ATP-dependent P2XR channels in the osteoarthritic joint. The discussion spans channel-targeting drug discovery and potential clinical applications, emphasizing opportunities for further research, and underscoring the growing clinical impact of ion channel biology in OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renpeng Zhou
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Wenyu Fu
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Dmytro Vasylyev
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Stephen G Waxman
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Chuan-Ju Liu
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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5
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Catterall WA, Gamal El-Din TM, Wisedchaisri G. The chemistry of electrical signaling in sodium channels from bacteria and beyond. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:1405-1421. [PMID: 39151407 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2024.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
Electrical signaling is essential for all fast processes in biology, but its molecular mechanisms have been uncertain. This review article focuses on studies of bacterial sodium channels in order to home in on the essential molecular and chemical mechanisms underlying transmembrane ion conductance and voltage-dependent gating without the overlay of complex protein interactions and regulatory mechanisms in mammalian sodium channels. This minimalist approach has yielded a nearly complete picture of sodium channel function at the atomic level that are mostly conserved in mammalian sodium channels, including sodium selectivity and conductance, voltage sensing and activation, electromechanical coupling to pore opening and closing, slow inactivation, and pathogenic dysfunction in a debilitating channelopathy. Future studies of nature's simplest sodium channels may continue to yield key insights into the fundamental molecular and chemical principles of their function and further elucidate the chemical basis of electrical signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- William A Catterall
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98195-7280, USA.
| | - Tamer M Gamal El-Din
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98195-7280, USA.
| | - Goragot Wisedchaisri
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98195-7280, USA.
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6
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Hestehave S, Allen HN, Gomez K, Duran P, Calderon-Rivera A, Loya-López S, Rodríguez-Palma EJ, Khanna R. Small molecule targeting NaV1.7 via inhibition of CRMP2-Ubc9 interaction reduces pain-related outcomes in a rodent osteoarthritic model. Pain 2024:00006396-990000000-00667. [PMID: 39106443 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent and disabling joint disease, characterized by pathological progressive joint deformation and clinical symptoms of pain. Disease-modifying treatments remain unavailable, and pain-mitigation is often suboptimal, but recent studies suggest beneficial effects by inhibition of the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.7. We previously identified compound 194 as an indirect inhibitor of NaV1.7 by preventing SUMOylation of the NaV1.7-trafficking protein, collapsin response mediator protein 2. Compound 194 reduces the functional activity of NaV1.7 channels and produces effective analgesia in a variety of acute and neuropathic pain models. However, its effectiveness has not yet been evaluated in models of OA. Here, we explore the effects of 194 on pain-related outcomes in the OA-like monoiodoacetate model using behavioral assessment, biochemistry, novel in vivo fiber photometry, and patch clamp electrophysiology. We found that the monoiodoacetate model induced (1) increased pain-like behaviors and calcium responses of glutamatergic neurons in the parabrachial nucleus after evoked cold and mechanical stimuli, (2) conditioned place aversion to mechanical stimulation, (3) functional weight bearing asymmetry, (4) increased sodium currents in dorsal root ganglia neurons, and (5) increased calcitonin gene-related peptide-release in the spinal cord. Crucially, administration of 194 improved all these pain-related outcomes. Collectively, these findings support indirect inhibition of NaV1.7 as an effective treatment of OA-related pain through the inhibition of collapsin response mediator protein 2-SUMOylation via compound 194.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Hestehave
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- Pain Research Center, New York University, New York, NY, United States. Dr. Hestehave is now with the Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark. Dr. Allen, Dr. Gomez, Dr. Calderon-Rivera, Dr. Loya-López, Dr. Rodríguez-Palma, and Dr. Khanna are now with the Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Heather N Allen
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- Pain Research Center, New York University, New York, NY, United States. Dr. Hestehave is now with the Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark. Dr. Allen, Dr. Gomez, Dr. Calderon-Rivera, Dr. Loya-López, Dr. Rodríguez-Palma, and Dr. Khanna are now with the Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Kimberly Gomez
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- Pain Research Center, New York University, New York, NY, United States. Dr. Hestehave is now with the Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark. Dr. Allen, Dr. Gomez, Dr. Calderon-Rivera, Dr. Loya-López, Dr. Rodríguez-Palma, and Dr. Khanna are now with the Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Paz Duran
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- Pain Research Center, New York University, New York, NY, United States. Dr. Hestehave is now with the Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark. Dr. Allen, Dr. Gomez, Dr. Calderon-Rivera, Dr. Loya-López, Dr. Rodríguez-Palma, and Dr. Khanna are now with the Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Aida Calderon-Rivera
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- Pain Research Center, New York University, New York, NY, United States. Dr. Hestehave is now with the Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark. Dr. Allen, Dr. Gomez, Dr. Calderon-Rivera, Dr. Loya-López, Dr. Rodríguez-Palma, and Dr. Khanna are now with the Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Santiago Loya-López
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- Pain Research Center, New York University, New York, NY, United States. Dr. Hestehave is now with the Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark. Dr. Allen, Dr. Gomez, Dr. Calderon-Rivera, Dr. Loya-López, Dr. Rodríguez-Palma, and Dr. Khanna are now with the Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Erick J Rodríguez-Palma
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- Pain Research Center, New York University, New York, NY, United States. Dr. Hestehave is now with the Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark. Dr. Allen, Dr. Gomez, Dr. Calderon-Rivera, Dr. Loya-López, Dr. Rodríguez-Palma, and Dr. Khanna are now with the Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Rajesh Khanna
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- Pain Research Center, New York University, New York, NY, United States. Dr. Hestehave is now with the Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark. Dr. Allen, Dr. Gomez, Dr. Calderon-Rivera, Dr. Loya-López, Dr. Rodríguez-Palma, and Dr. Khanna are now with the Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
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7
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Pukkanasut P, Jaskula-Sztul R, Gomora JC, Velu SE. Therapeutic targeting of voltage-gated sodium channel Na V1.7 for cancer metastasis. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1416705. [PMID: 39045054 PMCID: PMC11263763 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1416705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
This review focuses on the expression and function of voltage-gated sodium channel subtype NaV1.7 in various cancers and explores its impact on the metastasis driving cell functions such as proliferation, migration, and invasiveness. An overview of its structural characteristics, drug binding sites, inhibitors and their likely mechanisms of action are presented. Despite the lack of clarity on the precise mechanism by which NaV1.7 contributes to cancer progression and metastasis; many studies have suggested a connection between NaV1.7 and proteins involved in multiple signaling pathways such as PKA and EGF/EGFR-ERK1/2. Moreover, the functional activity of NaV1.7 appears to elevate the expression levels of MACC1 and NHE-1, which are controlled by p38 MAPK activity, HGF/c-MET signaling and c-Jun activity. This cascade potentially enhances the secretion of extracellular matrix proteases, such as MMPs which play critical roles in cell migration and invasion activities. Furthermore, the NaV1.7 activity may indirectly upregulate Rho GTPases Rac activity, which is critical for cytoskeleton reorganization, cell adhesion, and actin polymerization. The relationship between NaV1.7 and cancer progression has prompted researchers to investigate the therapeutic potential of targeting NaV1.7 using inhibitors. The positive outcome of such studies resulted in the discovery of several inhibitors with the ability to reduce cancer cell migration, invasion, and tumor growth underscoring the significance of NaV1.7 as a promising pharmacological target for attenuating cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. The research findings summarized in this review suggest that the regulation of NaV1.7 expression and function by small molecules and/or by genetic engineering is a viable approach to discover novel therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of metastasis of cancers with elevated NaV1.7 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piyasuda Pukkanasut
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Renata Jaskula-Sztul
- Department of Surgery, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
- O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Juan Carlos Gomora
- Departamento de Neuropatología Molecular, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Sadanandan E. Velu
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
- O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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8
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Chow CY, King GF. Shining a Light on Venom-Peptide Receptors: Venom Peptides as Targeted Agents for In Vivo Molecular Imaging. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:307. [PMID: 39057947 PMCID: PMC11281729 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16070307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Molecular imaging has revolutionised the field of biomedical research by providing a non-invasive means to visualise and understand biochemical processes within living organisms. Optical fluorescent imaging in particular allows researchers to gain valuable insights into the dynamic behaviour of a target of interest in real time. Ion channels play a fundamental role in cellular signalling, and they are implicated in diverse pathological conditions, making them an attractive target in the field of molecular imaging. Many venom peptides exhibit exquisite selectivity and potency towards ion channels, rendering them ideal agents for molecular imaging applications. In this review, we illustrate the use of fluorescently-labelled venom peptides for disease diagnostics and intraoperative imaging of brain tumours and peripheral nerves. Finally, we address challenges for the development and clinical translation of venom peptides as nerve-targeted imaging agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Yuen Chow
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Australia Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Glenn F. King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Australia Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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9
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Kim JS, Meeker S, Ru F, Tran M, Zabka TS, Hackos D, Undem BJ. Role of Na V1.7 in postganglionic sympathetic nerve function in human and guinea-pig arteries. J Physiol 2024; 602:3505-3518. [PMID: 38743485 PMCID: PMC11250678 DOI: 10.1113/jp286538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
NaV1.7 plays a crucial role in inducing and conducting action potentials in pain-transducing sensory nociceptor fibres, suggesting that NaV1.7 blockers could be effective non-opioid analgesics. While SCN9A is expressed in both sensory and autonomic neurons, its functional role in the autonomic system remains less established. Our single neuron rt-PCR analysis revealed that 82% of sympathetic neurons isolated from guinea-pig stellate ganglia expressed NaV1.7 mRNA, with NaV1.3 being the only other tetrodotoxin-sensitive channel expressed in approximately 50% of neurons. We investigated the role of NaV1.7 in conducting action potentials in postganglionic sympathetic nerves and in the sympathetic adrenergic contractions of blood vessels using selective NaV1.7 inhibitors. Two highly selective NaV1.7 blockers, GNE8493 and PF 05089771, significantly inhibited postganglionic compound action potentials by approximately 70% (P < 0.01), with residual activity being blocked by the NaV1.3 inhibitor, ICA 121431. Electrical field stimulation (EFS) induced rapid contractions in guinea-pig isolated aorta, pulmonary arteries, and human isolated pulmonary arteries via stimulation of intrinsic nerves, which were inhibited by prazosin or the NaV1 blocker tetrodotoxin. Our results demonstrated that blocking NaV1.7 with GNE8493, PF 05089771, or ST2262 abolished or strongly inhibited sympathetic adrenergic responses in guinea-pigs and human vascular smooth muscle. These findings support the hypothesis that pharmacologically inhibiting NaV1.7 could potentially reduce sympathetic and parasympathetic function in specific vascular beds and airways. KEY POINTS: 82% of sympathetic neurons isolated from the stellate ganglion predominantly express NaV1.7 mRNA. NaV1.7 blockers inhibit action potential conduction in postganglionic sympathetic nerves. NaV1.7 blockade substantially inhibits sympathetic nerve-mediated adrenergic contractions in human and guinea-pig blood vessels. Pharmacologically blocking NaV1.7 profoundly affects sympathetic and parasympathetic responses in addition to sensory fibres, prompting exploration into the broader physiological consequences of NaV1.7 mutations on autonomic nerve activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce S Kim
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Division of Clinical Immunology, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sonya Meeker
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Division of Clinical Immunology, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Fei Ru
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Division of Clinical Immunology, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Minh Tran
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Division of Clinical Immunology, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Bradley J Undem
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Division of Clinical Immunology, Baltimore, MD, USA
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10
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Pozzi E, Terribile G, Cherchi L, Di Girolamo S, Sancini G, Alberti P. Ion Channel and Transporter Involvement in Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neurotoxicity. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6552. [PMID: 38928257 PMCID: PMC11203899 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The peripheral nervous system can encounter alterations due to exposure to some of the most commonly used anticancer drugs (platinum drugs, taxanes, vinca alkaloids, proteasome inhibitors, thalidomide), the so-called chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN). CIPN can be long-lasting or even permanent, and it is detrimental for the quality of life of cancer survivors, being associated with persistent disturbances such as sensory loss and neuropathic pain at limb extremities due to a mostly sensory axonal polyneuropathy/neuronopathy. In the state of the art, there is no efficacious preventive/curative treatment for this condition. Among the reasons for this unmet clinical and scientific need, there is an uncomplete knowledge of the pathogenetic mechanisms. Ion channels and transporters are pivotal elements in both the central and peripheral nervous system, and there is a growing body of literature suggesting that they might play a role in CIPN development. In this review, we first describe the biophysical properties of these targets and then report existing data for the involvement of ion channels and transporters in CIPN, thus paving the way for new approaches/druggable targets to cure and/or prevent CIPN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Pozzi
- Experimental Neurology Unit, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (E.P.); (L.C.); (S.D.G.)
| | - Giulia Terribile
- Human Physiology Unit, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (G.T.); (G.S.)
| | - Laura Cherchi
- Experimental Neurology Unit, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (E.P.); (L.C.); (S.D.G.)
| | - Sara Di Girolamo
- Experimental Neurology Unit, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (E.P.); (L.C.); (S.D.G.)
| | - Giulio Sancini
- Human Physiology Unit, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (G.T.); (G.S.)
| | - Paola Alberti
- Experimental Neurology Unit, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (E.P.); (L.C.); (S.D.G.)
- Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy
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11
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Shu J, Wang Y, Guo W, Liu T, Cai S, Shi T, Hu W. Carbenoid-involved reactions integrated with scaffold-based screening generates a Nav1.7 inhibitor. Commun Chem 2024; 7:135. [PMID: 38866907 PMCID: PMC11169417 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-024-01213-3] [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: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The discovery of selective Nav1.7 inhibitors is a promising approach for developing anti-nociceptive drugs. In this study, we present a novel oxindole-based readily accessible library (OREAL), which is characterized by readily accessibility, unique chemical space, ideal drug-like properties, and structural diversity. We used a scaffold-based approach to screen the OREAL and discovered compound C4 as a potent Nav1.7 inhibitor. The bioactivity characterization of C4 reveals that it is a selective Nav1.7 inhibitor and effectively reverses Paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain (PINP) in rodent models. Preliminary toxicology study shows C4 is negative to hERG. The consistent results of molecular docking and molecular simulations further support the reasonability of the in-silico screening and show the insight of the binding mode of C4. Our discovery of C4 paves the way for pushing the Nav1.7-based anti-nociceptive drugs forward to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jirong Shu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yuwei Wang
- Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Weijie Guo
- Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Song Cai
- Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Taoda Shi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Wenhao Hu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
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12
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Bhagavan H, Wei AD, Oliveira LM, Aldinger KA, Ramirez JM. Chronic intermittent hypoxia elicits distinct transcriptomic responses among neurons and oligodendrocytes within the brainstem of mice. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2024; 326:L698-L712. [PMID: 38591125 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00320.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) is a prevalent condition characterized by recurrent episodes of oxygen deprivation, linked to respiratory and neurological disorders. Prolonged CIH is known to have adverse effects, including endothelial dysfunction, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and impaired neuronal function. These factors can contribute to serious comorbidities, including metabolic disorders and cardiovascular diseases. To investigate the molecular impact of CIH, we examined male C57BL/6J mice exposed to CIH for 21 days, comparing with normoxic controls. We used single-nucleus RNA sequencing to comprehensively examine the transcriptomic impact of CIH on key cell classes within the brainstem, specifically excitatory neurons, inhibitory neurons, and oligodendrocytes. These cell classes regulate essential physiological functions, including autonomic tone, cardiovascular control, and respiration. Through analysis of 10,995 nuclei isolated from pontine-medullary tissue, we identified seven major cell classes, further subdivided into 24 clusters. Our findings among these cell classes, revealed significant differential gene expression, underscoring their distinct responses to CIH. Notably, neurons exhibited transcriptional dysregulation of genes associated with synaptic transmission, and structural remodeling. In addition, we found dysregulated genes encoding ion channels and inflammatory response. Concurrently, oligodendrocytes exhibited dysregulated genes associated with oxidative phosphorylation and oxidative stress. Utilizing CellChat network analysis, we uncovered CIH-dependent altered patterns of diffusible intercellular signaling. These insights offer a comprehensive transcriptomic cellular atlas of the pons-medulla and provide a fundamental resource for the analysis of molecular adaptations triggered by CIH.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study on chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) from pons-medulla provides initial insights into the molecular effects on excitatory neurons, inhibitory neurons, and oligodendrocytes, highlighting our unbiased approach, in comparison with earlier studies focusing on single target genes. Our findings reveal that CIH affects cell classes distinctly, and the dysregulated genes in distinct cell classes are associated with synaptic transmission, ion channels, inflammation, oxidative stress, and intercellular signaling, advancing our understanding of CIH-induced molecular responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemalatha Bhagavan
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Aguan D Wei
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Luiz M Oliveira
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Kimberly A Aldinger
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Jan-Marino Ramirez
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
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13
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Tang C, Duran P, Calderon-Rivera A, Loya-Lopez S, Gomez K, Perez-Miller S, Khanna R. Regulating neuronal excitability: The role of S-palmitoylation in Na V1.7 activity and voltage sensitivity. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae222. [PMID: 38894876 PMCID: PMC11184981 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
S-palmitoylation, a reversible lipid post-translational modification, regulates the functions of numerous proteins. Voltage-gated sodium channels (NaVs), pivotal in action potential generation and propagation within cardiac cells and sensory neurons, can be directly or indirectly modulated by S-palmitoylation, impacting channel trafficking and function. However, the role of S-palmitoylation in modulating NaV1.7, a significant contributor to pain pathophysiology, has remained unexplored. Here, we addressed this knowledge gap by investigating if S-palmitoylation influences NaV1.7 channel function. Acyl-biotin exchange assays demonstrated that heterologously expressed NaV1.7 channels are modified by S-palmitoylation. Blocking S-palmitoylation with 2-bromopalmitate resulted in reduced NaV1.7 current density and hyperpolarized steady-state inactivation. We identified two S-palmitoylation sites within NaV1.7, both located in the second intracellular loop, which regulated different properties of the channel. Specifically, S-palmitoylation of cysteine 1126 enhanced NaV1.7 current density, while S-palmitoylation of cysteine 1152 modulated voltage-dependent inactivation. Blocking S-palmitoylation altered excitability of rat dorsal root ganglion neurons. Lastly, in human sensory neurons, NaV1.7 undergoes S-palmitoylation, and the attenuation of this post-translational modification results in alterations in the voltage-dependence of activation, leading to decreased neuronal excitability. Our data show, for the first time, that S-palmitoylation affects NaV1.7 channels, exerting regulatory control over their activity and, consequently, impacting rodent and human sensory neuron excitability. These findings provide a foundation for future pharmacological studies, potentially uncovering novel therapeutic avenues in the modulation of S-palmitoylation for NaV1.7 channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Tang
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY 10010, USA
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
- Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Platform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Paz Duran
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Aida Calderon-Rivera
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY 10010, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Santiago Loya-Lopez
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY 10010, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Kimberly Gomez
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY 10010, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Samantha Perez-Miller
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY 10010, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Rajesh Khanna
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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14
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Scheliga S, Dohrn MF, Habel U, Lampert A, Rolke R, Lischka A, van den Braak N, Spehr M, Jo HG, Kellermann T. Reduced Gray Matter Volume and Cortical Thickness in Patients With Small-Fiber Neuropathy. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2024; 25:104457. [PMID: 38211845 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Small-fiber neuropathy (SFN) is defined by degeneration or dysfunction of peripheral sensory nerve endings. Central correlates have been identified on the level of gray matter volume (GMV) and cortical thickness (CT) changes. However, across SFN etiologies knowledge about a common structural brain signature is still lacking. Therefore, we recruited 26 SFN patients and 25 age- and sex-matched healthy controls to conduct voxel-based- and surface-based morphometry. Across all patients, we found reduced GMV in widespread frontal regions, left caudate, insula and superior parietal lobule. Surface-based morphometry analysis revealed reduced CT in the right precentral gyrus of SFN patients. In a region-based approach, patients had reduced GMV in the left caudate. Since pathogenic gain-of-function variants in voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav) have been associated with SFN pathophysiology, we explored brain morphological patterns in a homogenous subsample of patients carrying rare heterozygous missense variants. Whole brain- and region-based approaches revealed GMV reductions in the bilateral caudate for Nav variant carriers. Further research is needed to analyze the specific role of Nav variants for structural brain alterations. Together, we conclude that SFN patients have specific GMV and CT alterations, potentially forming potential new central biomarkers for this condition. Our results might help to better understand underlying or compensatory mechanisms of chronic pain perception in the future. PERSPECTIVE: This study reveals structural brain changes in small-fiber neuropathy (SFN) patients, particularly in frontal regions, caudate, insula, and parietal lobule. Notably, individuals with SFN and specific Nav variants exhibit bilateral caudate abnormalities. These findings may serve as potential central biomarkers for SFN and provide insights into chronic pain perception mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Scheliga
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Maike F Dohrn
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ute Habel
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine: JARA-Institute Brain Structure Function Relationship (INM 10), Research Center Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Angelika Lampert
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Roman Rolke
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Annette Lischka
- Institute for Human Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Marc Spehr
- Department of Chemosensation, RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Biology II, Aachen, Germany
| | - Han-Gue Jo
- School of Computer Information and Communication Engineering, Kunsan National University, Gunsan, South Korea
| | - Thilo Kellermann
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine: JARA-Institute Brain Structure Function Relationship (INM 10), Research Center Jülich, Jülich, Germany
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15
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You Y, Tang Y, Yin W, Liu X, Gao P, Zhang C, Tembrock LR, Zhao Y, Yang Z. From genome to proteome: Comprehensive identification of venom toxins from the Chinese funnel-web spider (Macrothelidae: Macrothele yani). Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 268:131780. [PMID: 38657926 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Macrothelidae is a family of mygalomorph spiders containing the extant genera Macrothele and Vacrothele. China is an important center of diversity for Macrothele with 65 % of the known species occurring there. Previous work on Macrothele was able to uncover several important toxin compounds including Raventoxin which may have applications in biomedicine and agricultural chemistry. Despite the importance of Macrothele spiders, high-quality reference genomes are still lacking, which hinders our understanding and application of the toxin compounds. In this study, we assembled the genome of the Macrothele yani to help fill gaps in our understanding of toxin biology in this lineage of spiders to encourage the future study and applications of these compounds. The final assembled genome was 6.79 Gb in total length, had a contig N50 of 21.44 Mb, and scaffold N50 of 156.16 Mb. Hi-C scaffolding assigned 98.19 % of the genome to 46 pseudo-chromosomes with a BUSCO score of 95.7 % for the core eukaryotic gene set. The assembled genome was found to contain 75.62 % repetitive DNA and a total of 39,687 protein-coding genes were annotated making it the spider genome with highest number of genes. Through integrated analysis of venom gland transcriptomics and venom proteomics, a total of 194 venom toxins were identified, including 38 disulfide-rich peptide neurotoxins, among which 12 were ICK knottin peptides. In summary, we present the first high-quality genome assembly at the chromosomal level for any Macrothelidae spider, filling an important gap in our knowledge of these spiders. Such high-quality genomic data will be invaluable as a reference in resolving Araneae spider phylogenies and in screening different spider species for novel compounds applicable to numerous medical and agricultural applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongming You
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Yani Tang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Palaeobiology, Institute of Palaeontology, Yunnan University, South Waihuan Road, Chenggong District, Kunming 650500, China; MEC International Joint Laboratory for Palaeobiology and Palaeoenvironment, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Wenhao Yin
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Xinxin Liu
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Pengfei Gao
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Chenggui Zhang
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Luke R Tembrock
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA..
| | - Yu Zhao
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China.
| | - Zizhong Yang
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China.
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16
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Xie YF, Yang J, Ratté S, Prescott SA. Similar excitability through different sodium channels and implications for the analgesic efficacy of selective drugs. eLife 2024; 12:RP90960. [PMID: 38687187 PMCID: PMC11060714 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Nociceptive sensory neurons convey pain-related signals to the CNS using action potentials. Loss-of-function mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.7 cause insensitivity to pain (presumably by reducing nociceptor excitability) but clinical trials seeking to treat pain by inhibiting NaV1.7 pharmacologically have struggled. This may reflect the variable contribution of NaV1.7 to nociceptor excitability. Contrary to claims that NaV1.7 is necessary for nociceptors to initiate action potentials, we show that nociceptors can achieve similar excitability using different combinations of NaV1.3, NaV1.7, and NaV1.8. Selectively blocking one of those NaV subtypes reduces nociceptor excitability only if the other subtypes are weakly expressed. For example, excitability relies on NaV1.8 in acutely dissociated nociceptors but responsibility shifts to NaV1.7 and NaV1.3 by the fourth day in culture. A similar shift in NaV dependence occurs in vivo after inflammation, impacting ability of the NaV1.7-selective inhibitor PF-05089771 to reduce pain in behavioral tests. Flexible use of different NaV subtypes exemplifies degeneracy - achieving similar function using different components - and compromises reliable modulation of nociceptor excitability by subtype-selective inhibitors. Identifying the dominant NaV subtype to predict drug efficacy is not trivial. Degeneracy at the cellular level must be considered when choosing drug targets at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Feng Xie
- Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick ChildrenTorontoCanada
| | - Jane Yang
- Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick ChildrenTorontoCanada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - Stéphanie Ratté
- Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick ChildrenTorontoCanada
| | - Steven A Prescott
- Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick ChildrenTorontoCanada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of TorontoTorontoCanada
- Department of Physiology, University of TorontoTorontoCanada
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17
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Mondal R, Vaissier Welborn V. Dynamics accelerate the kinetics of ion diffusion through channels: Continuous-time random walk models beyond the mean field approximation. J Chem Phys 2024; 160:144109. [PMID: 38597306 DOI: 10.1063/5.0188469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Ion channels are proteins that play a significant role in physiological processes, including neuronal excitability and signal transduction. However, the precise mechanisms by which these proteins facilitate ion diffusion through cell membranes are not well understood. This is because experimental techniques to characterize ion channel activity operate on a time scale too large to understand the role of the various protein conformations on diffusion. Meanwhile, computational approaches operate on a time scale too short to rationalize the observed behavior at the microscopic scale. In this paper, we present a continuous-time random walk model that aims to bridge the scales between the atomistic models of ion channels and the experimental measurement of their conductance. We show how diffusion slows down in complex systems by using 3D lattices that map out the pore geometry of two channels: Nav1.7 and gramicidin. We also introduce spatial and dynamic site disorder to account for system heterogeneity beyond the mean field approximation. Computed diffusion coefficients show that an increase in spatial disorder slows down diffusion kinetics, while dynamic disorder has the opposite effect. Our results imply that microscopic or phenomenological models based on the potential of mean force data overlook the functional importance of protein dynamics on ion diffusion through channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronnie Mondal
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
- Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
| | - Valerie Vaissier Welborn
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
- Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
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18
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Gomez K, Allen HN, Duran P, Loya-Lopez S, Calderon-Rivera A, Moutal A, Tang C, Nelson TS, Perez-Miller S, Khanna R. Targeted transcriptional upregulation of SENP1 by CRISPR activation enhances deSUMOylation pathways to elicit antinociception in the spinal nerve ligation model of neuropathic pain. Pain 2024; 165:866-883. [PMID: 37862053 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The voltage-gated sodium channel Na V 1.7 is an essential component of human pain signaling. Changes in Na V 1.7 trafficking are considered critical in the development of neuropathic pain. SUMOylation of collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2) regulates the membrane trafficking and function of Na V 1.7. Enhanced CRMP2 SUMOylation in neuropathic pain correlates with increased Na V 1.7 activity. Pharmacological and genetic interventions that interfere with CRMP2 SUMOylation in rodents with neuropathic pain have been shown to reverse mechanical allodynia. Sentrin or SUMO-specific proteases (SENPs) are vital for balancing SUMOylation and deSUMOylation of substrates. Overexpression of SENP1 and/or SENP2 in CRMP2-expressing cells results in increased deSUMOylation and decreased membrane expression and currents of Na V 1.7. Although SENP1 is present in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia, its role in regulating Na V 1.7 function and pain is not known. We hypothesized that favoring SENP1 expression can enhance CRMP2 deSUMOylation to modulate Na V 1.7 channels. In this study, we used a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats activation (CRISPRa) SENP1 lentivirus to overexpress SENP1 in dorsal root ganglia neurons. We found that SENP1 lentivirus reduced CRMP2 SUMOylation, Na V 1.7-CRMP2 interaction, and Na V 1.7 membrane expression. SENP1 overexpression decreased Na V 1.7 currents through clathrin-mediated endocytosis, directly linked to CRMP2 deSUMOylation. Moreover, enhancing SENP1 expression did not affect the activity of TRPV1 channels or voltage-gated calcium and potassium channels. Intrathecal injection of CRISPRa SENP1 lentivirus reversed mechanical allodynia in male and female rats with spinal nerve injury. These results provide evidence that the pain-regulating effects of SENP1 overexpression involve, in part, the modulation of Na V 1.7 channels through the indirect mechanism of CRMP2 deSUMOylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly Gomez
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- NYU Pain Research Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Heather N Allen
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- NYU Pain Research Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Paz Duran
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- NYU Pain Research Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Santiago Loya-Lopez
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- NYU Pain Research Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Aida Calderon-Rivera
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- NYU Pain Research Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Aubin Moutal
- School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO, United States
| | - Cheng Tang
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- NYU Pain Research Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Tyler S Nelson
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- NYU Pain Research Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Samantha Perez-Miller
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- NYU Pain Research Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Rajesh Khanna
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- NYU Pain Research Center, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology and Neuroscience Institute, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, United States
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19
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Chen L, Jiang J, Dou B, Feng H, Liu J, Zhu Y, Zhang B, Zhou T, Wei GW. Machine learning study of the extended drug-target interaction network informed by pain related voltage-gated sodium channels. Pain 2024; 165:908-921. [PMID: 37851391 PMCID: PMC11021136 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Pain is a significant global health issue, and the current treatment options for pain management have limitations in terms of effectiveness, side effects, and potential for addiction. There is a pressing need for improved pain treatments and the development of new drugs. Voltage-gated sodium channels, particularly Nav1.3, Nav1.7, Nav1.8, and Nav1.9, play a crucial role in neuronal excitability and are predominantly expressed in the peripheral nervous system. Targeting these channels may provide a means to treat pain while minimizing central and cardiac adverse effects. In this study, we construct protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks based on pain-related sodium channels and develop a corresponding drug-target interaction network to identify potential lead compounds for pain management. To ensure reliable machine learning predictions, we carefully select 111 inhibitor data sets from a pool of more than 1000 targets in the PPI network. We employ 3 distinct machine learning algorithms combined with advanced natural language processing (NLP)-based embeddings, specifically pretrained transformer and autoencoder representations. Through a systematic screening process, we evaluate the side effects and repurposing potential of more than 150,000 drug candidates targeting Nav1.7 and Nav1.8 sodium channels. In addition, we assess the ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) properties of these candidates to identify leads with near-optimal characteristics. Our strategy provides an innovative platform for the pharmacological development of pain treatments, offering the potential for improved efficacy and reduced side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Chen
- Research Center of Nonlinear Science, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan, P R. China
| | - Jian Jiang
- Research Center of Nonlinear Science, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan, P R. China
- Department of Mathematics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Bozheng Dou
- Research Center of Nonlinear Science, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan, P R. China
| | - Hongsong Feng
- Department of Mathematics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Jie Liu
- Research Center of Nonlinear Science, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan, P R. China
| | - Yueying Zhu
- Research Center of Nonlinear Science, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan, P R. China
| | - Bengong Zhang
- Research Center of Nonlinear Science, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan, P R. China
| | - Tianshou Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Computational Mathematics, Guangdong Province, and School of Mathematics, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P R. China
| | - Guo-Wei Wei
- Department of Mathematics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
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20
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Zhang L, Tian J, Lin Z, Dong Z. Efficient Sodium Transmembrane Permeation through Helically Folded Nanopores with Natural Channel-Like Ion Selectivity. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:8500-8507. [PMID: 38483183 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c14736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
The selective transmembrane permeation of sodium ions achieved by biomimetic chemistry shows great potential to solve the problem of sodium ion transport blockade in diseases, but its implementation faces enormous difficulties. Herein, we design and synthesize a series of helically folded nanopores by employing a quinoline-oxadiazole structural sequence to finely replicate the pentahydrate structure of sodium ions. Surprisingly, these nanopores are capable of achieving sodium transmembrane permeation with ion selectivity at the level of natural sodium channels, as observed in rationally designed nanopores (M1-M5) with Na+/K+ ion selectivity ratio of up to 20.4. Moreover, slight structural variations in nanopore structures can switch ion transport modes between the channel and carrier. We found that, compared to the carrier mode, the channel mode not only transports ions faster but also has higher ion selectivity during transmembrane conduction, clearly illustrating that the trade-off phenomenon between ion selectivity and transport activity does not occur between the two transport modes of channel and carrier. At the same time, we also found that the spatial position and numbers of coordination sites are crucial for the sodium ion selectivity of the nanopores. Moreover, carrier M1 reported in this work is totally superior to the commercial Na+ carrier ETH2120, especially in terms of Na+/K+ ion selectivity, thus being a potentially practical Na+ carrier. Our study provides a new paradigm on the rational design of sodium-specific synthetic nanopores, which will open up the possibility for the application of artificial sodium-specific transmembrane permeation in biomedicine and disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, and Center for Supramolecular Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Jun Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, and Center for Supramolecular Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Ze Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, and Center for Supramolecular Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Zeyuan Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, and Center for Supramolecular Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
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21
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Weng HR. Emerging Molecular and Synaptic Targets for the Management of Chronic Pain Caused by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3602. [PMID: 38612414 PMCID: PMC11011483 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) frequently experience chronic pain due to the limited effectiveness and safety profiles of current analgesics. Understanding the molecular and synaptic mechanisms underlying abnormal neuronal activation along the pain signaling pathway is essential for developing new analgesics to address SLE-induced chronic pain. Recent studies, including those conducted by our team and others using the SLE animal model (MRL/lpr lupus-prone mice), have unveiled heightened excitability in nociceptive primary sensory neurons within the dorsal root ganglia and increased glutamatergic synaptic activity in spinal dorsal horn neurons, contributing to the development of chronic pain in mice with SLE. Nociceptive primary sensory neurons in lupus animals exhibit elevated resting membrane potentials, and reduced thresholds and rheobases of action potentials. These changes coincide with the elevated production of TNFα and IL-1β, as well as increased ERK activity in the dorsal root ganglion, coupled with decreased AMPK activity in the same region. Dysregulated AMPK activity is linked to heightened excitability in nociceptive sensory neurons in lupus animals. Additionally, the increased glutamatergic synaptic activity in the spinal dorsal horn in lupus mice with chronic pain is characterized by enhanced presynaptic glutamate release and postsynaptic AMPA receptor activation, alongside the reduced activity of glial glutamate transporters. These alterations are caused by the elevated activities of IL-1β, IL-18, CSF-1, and thrombin, and reduced AMPK activities in the dorsal horn. Furthermore, the pharmacological activation of spinal GPR109A receptors in microglia in lupus mice suppresses chronic pain by inhibiting p38 MAPK activity and the production of both IL-1β and IL-18, as well as reducing glutamatergic synaptic activity in the spinal dorsal horn. These findings collectively unveil crucial signaling molecular and synaptic targets for modulating abnormal neuronal activation in both the periphery and spinal dorsal horn, offering insights into the development of analgesics for managing SLE-induced chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Rong Weng
- Department of Basic Sciences, California Northstate University College of Medicine, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA
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22
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Lin Y, Tao E, Champion JP, Corry B. A binding site for phosphoinositides described by multiscale simulations explains their modulation of voltage-gated sodium channels. eLife 2024; 12:RP91218. [PMID: 38465747 DOI: 10.7554/elife.91218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium channels (Naᵥ) are membrane proteins which open to facilitate the inward flux of sodium ions into excitable cells. In response to stimuli, Naᵥ channels transition from the resting, closed state to an open, conductive state, before rapidly inactivating. Dysregulation of this functional cycle due to mutations causes diseases including epilepsy, pain conditions, and cardiac disorders, making Naᵥ channels a significant pharmacological target. Phosphoinositides are important lipid cofactors for ion channel function. The phosphoinositide PI(4,5)P2 decreases Naᵥ1.4 activity by increasing the difficulty of channel opening, accelerating fast inactivation and slowing recovery from fast inactivation. Using multiscale molecular dynamics simulations, we show that PI(4,5)P2 binds stably to inactivated Naᵥ at a conserved site within the DIV S4-S5 linker, which couples the voltage-sensing domain (VSD) to the pore. As the Naᵥ C-terminal domain is proposed to also bind here during recovery from inactivation, we hypothesize that PI(4,5)P2 prolongs inactivation by competitively binding to this site. In atomistic simulations, PI(4,5)P2 reduces the mobility of both the DIV S4-S5 linker and the DIII-IV linker, responsible for fast inactivation, slowing the conformational changes required for the channel to recover to the resting state. We further show that in a resting state Naᵥ model, phosphoinositides bind to VSD gating charges, which may anchor them and impede VSD activation. Our results provide a mechanism by which phosphoinositides alter the voltage dependence of activation and the rate of recovery from inactivation, an important step for the development of novel therapies to treat Naᵥ-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiechang Lin
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Elaine Tao
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - James P Champion
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Ben Corry
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
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23
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Loya-Lopez SI, Allen HN, Duran P, Calderon-Rivera A, Gomez K, Kumar U, Shields R, Zeng R, Dwivedi A, Saurabh S, Korczeniewska OA, Khanna R. Intranasal CRMP2-Ubc9 inhibitor regulates Na V 1.7 to alleviate trigeminal neuropathic pain. Pain 2024; 165:573-588. [PMID: 37751532 PMCID: PMC10922202 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Dysregulation of voltage-gated sodium Na V 1.7 channels in sensory neurons contributes to chronic pain conditions, including trigeminal neuropathic pain. We previously reported that chronic pain results in part from increased SUMOylation of collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2), leading to an increased CRMP2/Na V 1.7 interaction and increased functional activity of Na V 1.7. Targeting this feed-forward regulation, we developed compound 194 , which inhibits CRMP2 SUMOylation mediated by the SUMO-conjugating enzyme Ubc9. We further demonstrated that 194 effectively reduces the functional activity of Na V 1.7 channels in dorsal root ganglia neurons and alleviated inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Here, we used a comprehensive array of approaches, encompassing biochemical, pharmacological, genetic, electrophysiological, and behavioral analyses, to assess the functional implications of Na V 1.7 regulation by CRMP2 in trigeminal ganglia (TG) neurons. We confirmed the expression of Scn9a , Dpysl2 , and UBE2I within TG neurons. Furthermore, we found an interaction between CRMP2 and Na V 1.7, with CRMP2 being SUMOylated in these sensory ganglia. Disrupting CRMP2 SUMOylation with compound 194 uncoupled the CRMP2/Na V 1.7 interaction, impeded Na V 1.7 diffusion on the plasma membrane, and subsequently diminished Na V 1.7 activity. Compound 194 also led to a reduction in TG neuron excitability. Finally, when intranasally administered to rats with chronic constriction injury of the infraorbital nerve, 194 significantly decreased nociceptive behaviors. Collectively, our findings underscore the critical role of CRMP2 in regulating Na V 1.7 within TG neurons, emphasizing the importance of this indirect modulation in trigeminal neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago I. Loya-Lopez
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY 10010, United States of America
| | - Heather N. Allen
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY 10010, United States of America
| | - Paz Duran
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY 10010, United States of America
| | - Aida Calderon-Rivera
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY 10010, United States of America
| | - Kimberly Gomez
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY 10010, United States of America
| | - Upasana Kumar
- Center for Orofacial Pain and Temporomandibular Disorders, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Newark, NJ 07101, United States of America
| | - Rory Shields
- Rutgers School of Graduate Studies, Newark Health Science Campus, Newark, NJ 07101, United States of America
| | - Rui Zeng
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, New York, NY 10003, United States of America
| | - Akshat Dwivedi
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, New York, NY 10003, United States of America
| | - Saumya Saurabh
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, New York, NY 10003, United States of America
| | - Olga A. Korczeniewska
- Center for Orofacial Pain and Temporomandibular Disorders, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Newark, NJ 07101, United States of America
- Rutgers School of Graduate Studies, Newark Health Science Campus, Newark, NJ 07101, United States of America
| | - Rajesh Khanna
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY 10010, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology and Neuroscience Institute, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, 10010, USA
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24
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Caldito EG, Kaul S, Caldito NG, Piette W, Mehta S. Erythromelalgia. Part I: Pathogenesis, clinical features, evaluation, and complications. J Am Acad Dermatol 2024; 90:453-462. [PMID: 37364617 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2023.02.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Erythromelalgia is a rare pain disorder that is underrecognized and difficult-to-treat. It is characterized by episodes of extremity erythema and pain that can be disabling; it may be genetic, related to an underlying systemic disease, or idiopathic. Considering the prominent cutaneous features characteristic of the condition, dermatologists can play an important role in early recognition and limitation of morbidity. The first article in this 2-part continuing medical education series reviews the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, evaluation, and complications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Subuhi Kaul
- Division of Dermatology, John H Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | - Warren Piette
- Division of Dermatology, John H Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Dermatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Shilpa Mehta
- Division of Dermatology, John H Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, Illinois.
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25
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Tyagi S, Higerd-Rusli GP, Ghovanloo MR, Dib-Hajj F, Zhao P, Liu S, Kim DH, Shim JS, Park KS, Waxman SG, Choi JS, Dib-Hajj SD. Compartment-specific regulation of Na V1.7 in sensory neurons after acute exposure to TNF-α. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113685. [PMID: 38261513 PMCID: PMC10947185 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) is a major pro-inflammatory cytokine, important in many diseases, that sensitizes nociceptors through its action on a variety of ion channels, including voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channels. We show here that TNF-α acutely upregulates sensory neuron excitability and current density of threshold channel NaV1.7. Using electrophysiological recordings and live imaging, we demonstrate that this effect on NaV1.7 is mediated by p38 MAPK and identify serine 110 in the channel's N terminus as the phospho-acceptor site, which triggers NaV1.7 channel insertion into the somatic membrane. We also show that the N terminus of NaV1.7 is sufficient to mediate this effect. Although acute TNF-α treatment increases NaV1.7-carrying vesicle accumulation at axonal endings, we did not observe increased channel insertion into the axonal membrane. These results identify molecular determinants of TNF-α-mediated regulation of NaV1.7 in sensory neurons and demonstrate compartment-specific effects of TNF-α on channel insertion in the neuronal plasma membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidharth Tyagi
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, West Haven, CT 06516, USA; Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06516, USA; Center for Restoration of Nervous System Function, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT 06516, USA.
| | - Grant P Higerd-Rusli
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, West Haven, CT 06516, USA; Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06516, USA; Center for Restoration of Nervous System Function, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Mohammad-Reza Ghovanloo
- Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, West Haven, CT 06516, USA; Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06516, USA; Center for Restoration of Nervous System Function, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Fadia Dib-Hajj
- Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, West Haven, CT 06516, USA; Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06516, USA; Center for Restoration of Nervous System Function, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Peng Zhao
- Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, West Haven, CT 06516, USA; Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06516, USA; Center for Restoration of Nervous System Function, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Shujun Liu
- Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, West Haven, CT 06516, USA; Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06516, USA; Center for Restoration of Nervous System Function, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Dong-Hyun Kim
- Integrated Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon 14662, South Korea; New Drug Development Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation (DGMIF), Daegu 41061, South Korea
| | - Ji Seon Shim
- Department of Physiology, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul 02447, South Korea
| | - Kang-Sik Park
- Department of Physiology, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul 02447, South Korea
| | - Stephen G Waxman
- Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, West Haven, CT 06516, USA; Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06516, USA; Center for Restoration of Nervous System Function, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT 06516, USA.
| | - Jin-Sung Choi
- Integrated Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon 14662, South Korea.
| | - Sulayman D Dib-Hajj
- Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, West Haven, CT 06516, USA; Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06516, USA; Center for Restoration of Nervous System Function, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT 06516, USA.
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26
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Waheed S, Ramzan K, Ahmad S, Khan MS, Wajid M, Ullah H, Umar A, Iqbal R, Ullah R, Bari A. Identification and In-Silico study of non-synonymous functional SNPs in the human SCN9A gene. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297367. [PMID: 38394191 PMCID: PMC10889873 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Single nucleotide polymorphisms are the most common form of DNA alterations at the level of a single nucleotide in the genomic sequence. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were carried to identify potential risk genes or genomic regions by screening for SNPs associated with disease. Recent studies have shown that SCN9A comprises the NaV1.7 subunit, Na+ channels have a gene encoding of 1988 amino acids arranged into 4 domains, all with 6 transmembrane regions, and are mainly found in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and sympathetic ganglion neurons. Multiple forms of acute hypersensitivity conditions, such as primary erythermalgia, congenital analgesia, and paroxysmal pain syndrome have been linked to polymorphisms in the SCN9A gene. Under this study, we utilized a variety of computational tools to explore out nsSNPs that are potentially damaging to heath by modifying the structure or activity of the SCN9A protein. Over 14 potentially damaging and disease-causing nsSNPs (E1889D, L1802P, F1782V, D1778N, C1370Y, V1311M, Y1248H, F1237L, M936V, I929T, V877E, D743Y, C710W, D623H) were identified by a variety of algorithms, including SNPnexus, SNAP-2, PANTHER, PhD-SNP, SNP & GO, I-Mutant, and ConSurf. Homology modeling, structure validation, and protein-ligand interactions also were performed to confirm 5 notable substitutions (L1802P, F1782V, D1778N, V1311M, and M936V). Such nsSNPs may become the center of further studies into a variety of disorders brought by SCN9A dysfunction. Using in-silico strategies for assessing SCN9A genetic variations will aid in organizing large-scale investigations and developing targeted therapeutics for disorders linked to these variations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sana Waheed
- Faculty of Life Science, Department of Zoology, University of Okara, Okara, Pakistan
| | - Kainat Ramzan
- Faculty of Life Science, Department of Biochemistry, University of Okara, Okara, Pakistan
| | - Sibtain Ahmad
- Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Institute of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Saleem Khan
- Faculty of Life Science, Department of Zoology, University of Okara, Okara, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Wajid
- Faculty of Life Science, Department of Zoology, University of Okara, Okara, Pakistan
| | - Hayat Ullah
- Department of Chemistry, University of Okara, Okara, Pakistan
| | - Ali Umar
- Faculty of Life Science, Department of Zoology, University of Okara, Okara, Pakistan
| | - Rashid Iqbal
- Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Department of Agronomy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Riaz Ullah
- Department of Pharmacognosy College of Pharmacy King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Bari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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27
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Ngo K, Lopez Mateos D, Han Y, Rouen KC, Ahn SH, Wulff H, Clancy CE, Yarov-Yarovoy V, Vorobyov I. Elucidating molecular mechanisms of protoxin-II state-specific binding to the human NaV1.7 channel. J Gen Physiol 2024; 156:e202313368. [PMID: 38127314 PMCID: PMC10737443 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.202313368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Human voltage-gated sodium (hNaV) channels are responsible for initiating and propagating action potentials in excitable cells, and mutations have been associated with numerous cardiac and neurological disorders. hNaV1.7 channels are expressed in peripheral neurons and are promising targets for pain therapy. The tarantula venom peptide protoxin-II (PTx2) has high selectivity for hNaV1.7 and is a valuable scaffold for designing novel therapeutics to treat pain. Here, we used computational modeling to study the molecular mechanisms of the state-dependent binding of PTx2 to hNaV1.7 voltage-sensing domains (VSDs). Using Rosetta structural modeling methods, we constructed atomistic models of the hNaV1.7 VSD II and IV in the activated and deactivated states with docked PTx2. We then performed microsecond-long all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the systems in hydrated lipid bilayers. Our simulations revealed that PTx2 binds most favorably to the deactivated VSD II and activated VSD IV. These state-specific interactions are mediated primarily by PTx2's residues R22, K26, K27, K28, and W30 with VSD and the surrounding membrane lipids. Our work revealed important protein-protein and protein-lipid contacts that contribute to high-affinity state-dependent toxin interaction with the channel. The workflow presented will prove useful for designing novel peptides with improved selectivity and potency for more effective and safe treatment of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khoa Ngo
- Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Diego Lopez Mateos
- Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Yanxiao Han
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Kyle C. Rouen
- Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Surl-Hee Ahn
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Heike Wulff
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Colleen E. Clancy
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Center for Precision Medicine and Data Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Vladimir Yarov-Yarovoy
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Igor Vorobyov
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
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28
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Tan ZY, Wu B, Su X, Zhou Y, Ji YH. Differential expression of slow and fast-repriming tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium currents in dorsal root ganglion neurons. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 16:1336664. [PMID: 38273939 PMCID: PMC10808659 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1336664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Sodium channel Nav1.7 triggers the generation of nociceptive action potentials and is important in sending pain signals under physiological and pathological conditions. However, studying endogenous Nav1.7 currents has been confounded by co-expression of multiple sodium channel isoforms in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. In the current study, slow-repriming (SR) and fast-repriming (FR) tetrodotoxin-sensitive (TTX-S) currents were dissected electrophysiologically in small DRG neurons of both rats and mice. Three subgroups of small DRG neurons were identified based on the expression pattern of SR and FR TTX-S currents. A majority of rat neurons only expressed SR TTX-S currents, while a majority of mouse neurons expressed additional FR TTX-S currents. ProTx-II inhibited SR TTX-S currents with variable efficacy among DRG neurons. The expression of both types of TTX-S currents was higher in Isolectin B4-negative (IB4-) compared to Isolectin B4-positive (IB4+) neurons. Paclitaxel selectively increased SR TTX-S currents in IB4- neurons. In simulation experiments, the Nav1.7-expressing small DRG neuron displayed lower rheobase and higher frequency of action potentials upon threshold current injections compared to Nav1.6. The results suggested a successful dissection of endogenous Nav1.7 currents through electrophysiological manipulation that may provide a useful way to study the functional expression and pharmacology of endogenous Nav1.7 channels in DRG neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Yong Tan
- Department of Pathophysiology, Hebei University School of Basic Medicine, Baoding, China
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Bin Wu
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Institute of Special Environment Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Xiaolin Su
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - You Zhou
- Department of Physiology, Hebei University School of Basic Medicine, Baoding, China
| | - Yong-Hua Ji
- Department of Physiology, Hebei University School of Basic Medicine, Baoding, China
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Li AH, Kuo YY, Yang SB, Chen PC. Central Channelopathies in Obesity. CHINESE J PHYSIOL 2024; 67:15-26. [PMID: 38780269 DOI: 10.4103/ejpi.ejpi-d-23-00029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
As obesity has raised heightening awareness, researchers have attempted to identify potential targets that can be treated for therapeutic intervention. Focusing on the central nervous system (CNS), the key organ in maintaining energy balance, a plethora of ion channels that are expressed in the CNS have been inspected and determined through manipulation in different hypothalamic neural subpopulations for their roles in fine-tuning neuronal activity on energy state alterations, possibly acting as metabolic sensors. However, a remaining gap persists between human clinical investigations and mouse studies. Despite having delineated the pathways and mechanisms of how the mouse study-identified ion channels modulate energy homeostasis, only a few targets overlap with the obesity-related risk genes extracted from human genome-wide association studies. Here, we present the most recently discovered CNS-specific metabolism-correlated ion channels using reverse and forward genetics approaches in mice and humans, respectively, in the hope of illuminating the prospects for future therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athena Hsu Li
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ying Kuo
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shi-Bing Yang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chun Chen
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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Jang K, Garraway SM. A review of dorsal root ganglia and primary sensory neuron plasticity mediating inflammatory and chronic neuropathic pain. NEUROBIOLOGY OF PAIN (CAMBRIDGE, MASS.) 2024; 15:100151. [PMID: 38314104 PMCID: PMC10837099 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynpai.2024.100151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Pain is a sensory state resulting from complex integration of peripheral nociceptive inputs and central processing. Pain consists of adaptive pain that is acute and beneficial for healing and maladaptive pain that is often persistent and pathological. Pain is indeed heterogeneous, and can be expressed as nociceptive, inflammatory, or neuropathic in nature. Neuropathic pain is an example of maladaptive pain that occurs after spinal cord injury (SCI), which triggers a wide range of neural plasticity. The nociceptive processing that underlies pain hypersensitivity is well-studied in the spinal cord. However, recent investigations show maladaptive plasticity that leads to pain, including neuropathic pain after SCI, also exists at peripheral sites, such as the dorsal root ganglia (DRG), which contains the cell bodies of sensory neurons. This review discusses the important role DRGs play in nociceptive processing that underlies inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Specifically, it highlights nociceptor hyperexcitability as critical to increased pain states. Furthermore, it reviews prior literature on glutamate and glutamate receptors, voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSC), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling in the DRG as important contributors to inflammatory and neuropathic pain. We previously reviewed BDNF's role as a bidirectional neuromodulator of spinal plasticity. Here, we shift focus to the periphery and discuss BDNF-TrkB expression on nociceptors, non-nociceptor sensory neurons, and non-neuronal cells in the periphery as a potential contributor to induction and persistence of pain after SCI. Overall, this review presents a comprehensive evaluation of large bodies of work that individually focus on pain, DRG, BDNF, and SCI, to understand their interaction in nociceptive processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyeongran Jang
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Sandra M. Garraway
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
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Wisedchaisri G, Gamal El-Din TM, Powell NM, Zheng N, Catterall WA. Structural basis for severe pain caused by mutations in the voltage sensors of sodium channel NaV1.7. J Gen Physiol 2023; 155:e202313450. [PMID: 37903281 PMCID: PMC10616507 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.202313450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium channels in peripheral nerves conduct nociceptive signals from nerve endings to the spinal cord. Mutations in voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.7 are responsible for a number of severe inherited pain syndromes, including inherited erythromelalgia (IEM). Here, we describe the negative shifts in the voltage dependence of activation in the bacterial sodium channel NaVAb as a result of the incorporation of four different IEM mutations in the voltage sensor, which recapitulate the gain-of-function effects observed with these mutations in human NaV1.7. Crystal structures of NaVAb with these IEM mutations revealed that a mutation in the S1 segment of the voltage sensor facilitated the outward movement of S4 gating charges by widening the pathway for gating charge translocation. In contrast, mutations in the S4 segments modified hydrophobic interactions with surrounding amino acid side chains or membrane phospholipids that would enhance the outward movement of the gating charges. These results provide key structural insights into the mechanisms by which these IEM mutations in the voltage sensors can facilitate outward movements of the gating charges in the S4 segment and cause hyperexcitability and severe pain in IEM. Our work gives new insights into IEM pathogenesis at the near-atomic level and provides a molecular model for mutation-specific therapy of this debilitating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Natasha M. Powell
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ning Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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You Y, Yin W, Tembrock LR, Wu Z, Gu X, Yang Z, Zhang C, Zhao Y, Yang Z. Transcriptome sequencing of wolf spider Lycosa sp. (Araneae: Lycosidae) venom glands provides insights into the evolution and diversity of disulfide-rich toxins. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART D, GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2023; 48:101145. [PMID: 37748227 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2023.101145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Wolf spiders in the genus Lycosa are important pest predators in agroforestry ecosystems, capable of feeding on a wide range of pests through the use of complex venom which can to quickly immobilize and kill prey. Because of these characteristics the toxins in wolf spiders venom may prove to be natural sources for novel drug development and biopesticides. To better understand the toxins in Lycosa venom we sequenced the transcriptome from venom glands from an undescribed species of Lycosa and comparatively analyzed the data using known protein motifs. A series of 19 disulfide-rich peptide (DRP) toxin sequences were identified and categorized into seven groups based on the number and arrangement of cysteine residues. Notably, we identified three peptide sequences with low identity to any known toxin, which may be toxin peptides specific to this species of Lycosa. In addition, to further understand the evolutionary relationships of disulfide-rich peptide toxins in spider venom, we constructed phylogenetic trees of DRP toxins from three spiders species and found that the Lycosa sp. DRPs are comparatively diverse with previous research results. This study reveals the toxin diversity of wolf spiders (Lycosa sp.) at the transcriptomic level and provides initial insights into the evolution of DRP toxins in spiders, enriching our knowledge of toxin diversity and providing new compounds for functional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongming You
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China.
| | - Wenhao Yin
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Luke R Tembrock
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Zhiqiang Wu
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Xiaoliang Gu
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Zhibin Yang
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Chenggui Zhang
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Zizhong Yang
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China.
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Lu H, Cao P. Neural Mechanisms Underlying the Coughing Reflex. Neurosci Bull 2023; 39:1823-1839. [PMID: 37606821 PMCID: PMC10661548 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01104-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Breathing is an intrinsic natural behavior and physiological process that maintains life. The rhythmic exchange of gases regulates the delicate balance of chemical constituents within an organism throughout its lifespan. However, chronic airway diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, affect millions of people worldwide. Pathological airway conditions can disrupt respiration, causing asphyxia, cardiac arrest, and potential death. The innervation of the respiratory tract and the action of the immune system confer robust airway surveillance and protection against environmental irritants and pathogens. However, aberrant activation of the immune system or sensitization of the nervous system can contribute to the development of autoimmune airway disorders. Transient receptor potential ion channels and voltage-gated Na+ channels play critical roles in sensing noxious stimuli within the respiratory tract and interacting with the immune system to generate neurogenic inflammation and airway hypersensitivity. Although recent studies have revealed the involvement of nociceptor neurons in airway diseases, the further neural circuitry underlying airway protection remains elusive. Unraveling the mechanism underpinning neural circuit regulation in the airway may provide precise therapeutic strategies and valuable insights into the management of airway diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haicheng Lu
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, 102206, China.
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Peng Cao
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, 102206, China
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 102206, China
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Gomez K, Duran P, Tonello R, Allen HN, Boinon L, Calderon-Rivera A, Loya-López S, Nelson TS, Ran D, Moutal A, Bunnett NW, Khanna R. Neuropilin-1 is essential for vascular endothelial growth factor A-mediated increase of sensory neuron activity and development of pain-like behaviors. Pain 2023; 164:2696-2710. [PMID: 37366599 PMCID: PMC10751385 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that binds numerous ligands including vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA). Binding of this ligand to NRP-1 and the co-receptor, the tyrosine kinase receptor VEGFR2, elicits nociceptor sensitization resulting in pain through the enhancement of the activity of voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels. We previously reported that blocking the interaction between VEGFA and NRP-1 with the Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 attenuates VEGFA-induced dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuronal excitability and alleviates neuropathic pain, pointing to the VEGFA/NRP-1 signaling as a novel therapeutic target of pain. Here, we investigated whether peripheral sensory neurons and spinal cord hyperexcitability and pain behaviors were affected by the loss of NRP-1. Nrp-1 is expressed in both peptidergic and nonpeptidergic sensory neurons. A CRIPSR/Cas9 strategy targeting the second exon of nrp-1 gene was used to knockdown NRP-1. Neuropilin-1 editing in DRG neurons reduced VEGFA-mediated increases in CaV2.2 currents and sodium currents through NaV1.7. Neuropilin-1 editing had no impact on voltage-gated potassium channels. Following in vivo editing of NRP-1, lumbar dorsal horn slices showed a decrease in the frequency of VEGFA-mediated increases in spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents. Finally, intrathecal injection of a lentivirus packaged with an NRP-1 guide RNA and Cas9 enzyme prevented spinal nerve injury-induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in both male and female rats. Collectively, our findings highlight a key role of NRP-1 in modulating pain pathways in the sensory nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly Gomez
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University; New York, NY, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Paz Duran
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University; New York, NY, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Raquel Tonello
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University; New York, NY, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Heather N. Allen
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University; New York, NY, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Lisa Boinon
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona; Tucson, AZ, United States of America
| | - Aida Calderon-Rivera
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University; New York, NY, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Santiago Loya-López
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University; New York, NY, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Tyler S. Nelson
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University; New York, NY, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Dongzhi Ran
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona; Tucson, AZ, United States of America
| | - Aubin Moutal
- School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University; Saint Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Nigel W. Bunnett
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University; New York, NY, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue; New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016 USA
| | - Rajesh Khanna
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University; New York, NY, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue; New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016 USA
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Chen M, Lu M, Feng X, Wu M, Luo X, Xiang R, Luo R, Wu H, Liu Z, Wang M, Zhou X. LmNaTx15, a novel scorpion toxin, enhances the activity of Nav channels and induces pain in mice. Toxicon 2023; 236:107331. [PMID: 37918718 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Polypeptide toxins are major bioactive components found in venomous animals. Many polypeptide toxins can specifically act on targets, such as ion channels and voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels, in the nervous, muscle, and cardiovascular systems of the recipient to increase defense and predation efficiency. In this study, a novel polypeptide toxin, LmNaTx15, was isolated from the venom of the scorpion Lychas mucronatus, and its activity was analyzed. LmNaTx15 slowed the fast inactivation of Nav1.2, Nav1.3, Nav1.4, Nav1.5, and Nav1.7 and inhibited the peak current of Nav1.5, but it did not affect Nav1.8. In addition, LmNaTx15 altered the voltage-dependent activation and inactivation of these Nav channel subtypes. Furthermore, like site 3 neurotoxins, LmNaTx15 induced pain in mice. These results show a novel scorpion toxin with a modulatory effect on specific Nav channel subtypes and pain induction in mice. Therefore, LmNaTx15 may be a key bioactive component for scorpion defense and predation. Besides, this study provides a basis for analyzing structure-function relationships of the scorpion toxins affecting Nav channel activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minzhi Chen
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China; Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China; Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Minjuan Lu
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China; Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China; Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Xujun Feng
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China; Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China; Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Meijing Wu
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China; Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China; Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoqing Luo
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China; Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China; Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Ruiqi Xiang
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China; Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China; Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Ren Luo
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China; Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China; Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Hang Wu
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China; Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China; Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Zhonghua Liu
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China; Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China; Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Meichi Wang
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China; Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China; Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China.
| | - Xi Zhou
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China; Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China; Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China.
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Becker J, Effraim PR, Dib-Hajj S, Rittner HL. Lessons learned in translating pain knowledge into practice. Pain Rep 2023; 8:e1100. [PMID: 37928204 PMCID: PMC10624476 DOI: 10.1097/pr9.0000000000001100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction During the past 2 decades, basic research deciphering the underlying mechanisms of nociception and chronic pain was thought to finally step beyond opioids and nonsteroidals and provide patients with new analgesics. But apart from calcitonin gene-related peptide antagonists, nothing arrived in hands of clinicians. Objectives To present existing evidence of 3 representative target molecules in the development of novel pain treatment that, so far, did not result in approved drugs. Methods This Clinical Update aligns with the 2022 IASP Global Year Translating Pain Knowledge into Practice and selectively reviews best available evidence and practice. Results We highlight 3 targets: a ion channel, a neuronal growth factor, and a neuropeptide to explore why these drug targets have been dropped in clinical phase II-III trials. Antibodies to nerve growth factor had very good effects in musculoskeletal pain but resulted into more patients requiring joint replacements. Blockers of NaV1.7 were often not effective enough-at least if patients were not stratified. Blockers of neurokinin receptor were similarly not successful enough. In general, failure was most often to the result of a lack of effect and to a lesser extend because of unexpected severe side effects. However, all studies and trials lead to an enormous move in the scientific community to better preclinical models and testing as well as revised methods to molecularly phenotype and stratify patients. Conclusion All stakeholders in the process can help in the future: better preclinical studies, phenotyping and stratifying patients, and participation in clinical trials to move the discovery of analgesics forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Becker
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care, Emergency and Pain Medicine, Center for Interdisciplinary Pain Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Philip R. Effraim
- Department of Anesthesiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Neurology, Center for Neuroscience & Regeneration Research, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sulayman Dib-Hajj
- Department of Neurology, Center for Neuroscience & Regeneration Research, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Rehabilitation Research Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Heike L. Rittner
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care, Emergency and Pain Medicine, Center for Interdisciplinary Pain Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Vasylyev DV, Liu S, Waxman SG. I h current stabilizes excitability in rodent DRG neurons and reverses hyperexcitability in a nociceptive neuron model of inherited neuropathic pain. J Physiol 2023; 601:5341-5366. [PMID: 37846879 PMCID: PMC10843455 DOI: 10.1113/jp284999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
We show here that hyperpolarization-activated current (Ih ) unexpectedly acts to inhibit the activity of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons expressing WT Nav1.7, the largest inward current and primary driver of DRG neuronal firing, and hyperexcitable DRG neurons expressing a gain-of-function Nav1.7 mutation that causes inherited erythromelalgia (IEM), a human genetic model of neuropathic pain. In this study we created a kinetic model of Ih and used it, in combination with dynamic-clamp, to study Ih function in DRG neurons. We show, for the first time, that Ih increases rheobase and reduces the firing probability in small DRG neurons, and demonstrate that the amplitude of subthreshold oscillations is reduced by Ih . Our results show that Ih , due to slow gating, is not deactivated during action potentials (APs) and has a striking damping action, which reverses from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing, close to the threshold for AP generation. Moreover, we show that Ih reverses the hyperexcitability of DRG neurons expressing a gain-of-function Nav1.7 mutation that causes IEM. In the aggregate, our results show that Ih unexpectedly has strikingly different effects in DRG neurons as compared to previously- and well-studied cardiac cells. Within DRG neurons where Nav1.7 is present, Ih reduces depolarizing sodium current inflow due to enhancement of Nav1.7 channel fast inactivation and creates additional damping action by reversal of Ih direction from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing close to the threshold for AP generation. These actions of Ih limit the firing of DRG neurons expressing WT Nav1.7 and reverse the hyperexcitability of DRG neurons expressing a gain-of-function Nav1.7 mutation that causes IEM. KEY POINTS: Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels, the molecular determinants of hyperpolarization-activated current (Ih ) have been characterized as a 'pain pacemaker', and thus considered to be a potential molecular target for pain therapeutics. Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons express Nav1.7, a channel that is not present in central neurons or cardiac tissue. Gain-of-function mutations (GOF) of Nav1.7 identified in inherited erythromelalgia (IEM), a human genetic model of neuropathic pain, produce DRG neuron hyperexcitability, which in turn produces severe pain. We found that Ih increases rheobase and reduces firing probability in small DRG neurons expressing WT Nav1.7, and demonstrate that the amplitude of subthreshold oscillations is reduced by Ih . We also demonstrate that Ih reverses the hyperexcitability of DRG neurons expressing a GOF Nav1.7 mutation (L858H) that causes IEM. Our results show that, in contrast to cardiac cells and CNS neurons, Ih acts to stabilize DRG neuron excitability and prevents excessive firing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmytro V. Vasylyev
- Department of Neurology and Center for Neuroscience & Regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT 06516
| | - Shujun Liu
- Department of Neurology and Center for Neuroscience & Regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT 06516
| | - Stephen G. Waxman
- Department of Neurology and Center for Neuroscience & Regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT 06516
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Fetell M, Sendel M, Li T, Marinelli L, Vollert J, Ruggerio E, Houk G, Dockum M, Albrecht PJ, Rice FL, Baron R. Cutaneous nerve fiber and peripheral Nav1.7 assessment in a large cohort of patients with postherpetic neuralgia. Pain 2023; 164:2435-2446. [PMID: 37366590 PMCID: PMC10578423 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The mechanisms of pain in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) are still unclear, with some studies showing loss of cutaneous sensory nerve fibers that seemed to correlate with pain level. We report results of skin biopsies and correlations with baseline pain scores, mechanical hyperalgesia, and the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI) in 294 patients who participated in a clinical trial of TV-45070, a topical semiselective sodium 1.7 channel (Nav1.7) blocker. Intraepidermal nerve fibers and subepidermal Nav1.7 immunolabeled fibers were quantified in skin punch biopsies from the area of maximal PHN pain, as well as from the contralateral, homologous (mirror image) region. Across the entire study population, a 20% reduction in nerve fibers on the PHN-affected side compared with that in the contralateral side was noted; however, the reduction was much higher in older individuals, approaching 40% in those aged 70 years or older. There was a decrease in contralateral fiber counts as well, also noted in prior biopsy studies, the mechanism of which is not fully clear. Nav1.7-positive immunolabeling was present in approximately one-third of subepidermal nerve fibers and did not differ on the PHN-affected vs contralateral sides. Using cluster analysis, 2 groups could be identified, with the first cluster showing higher baseline pain, higher NPSI scores for squeezing and cold-induced pain, higher nerve fiber density, and higher Nav1.7 expression. While Nav1.7 varies from patient to patient, it does not seem to be a key pathophysiological driver of PHN pain. Individual differences in Nav1.7 expression, however, may determine the intensity and sensory aspects of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Manon Sendel
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Germany
| | - Thomas Li
- Teva Pharmaceuticals, West Chester, PA, United States
| | | | - Jan Vollert
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Germany
- Pain Research, MSk Lab, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neurophysiology, Mannheim Center for Translational Neuroscience MCTN, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Ruprecht Karls University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | | | - George Houk
- Integrated Tissue Dynamics LLC, Rensselaer, NY, United States
| | - Marilyn Dockum
- Integrated Tissue Dynamics LLC, Rensselaer, NY, United States
| | | | - Frank L. Rice
- Integrated Tissue Dynamics LLC, Rensselaer, NY, United States
| | - Ralf Baron
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Germany
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Loose S, Lischka A, Kuehs S, Nau C, Heinemann SH, Kurth I, Leipold E. Peripheral temperature dysregulation associated with functionally altered Na V1.8 channels. Pflugers Arch 2023; 475:1343-1355. [PMID: 37695396 PMCID: PMC10567936 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-023-02856-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
The voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.8 is prominently expressed in the soma and axons of small-caliber sensory neurons, and pathogenic variants of the corresponding gene SCN10A are associated with peripheral pain and autonomic dysfunction. While most disease-associated SCN10A variants confer gain-of-function properties to NaV1.8, resulting in hyperexcitability of sensory neurons, a few affect afferent excitability through a loss-of-function mechanism. Using whole-exome sequencing, we here identify a rare heterozygous SCN10A missense variant resulting in alteration p.V1287I in NaV1.8 in a patient with a 15-year history of progressively worsening temperature dysregulation in the distal extremities, particularly in the feet. Further symptoms include increasingly intensifying tingling and numbness in the fingers and increased sweating. To assess the impact of p.V1287I on channel function, we performed voltage-clamp recordings demonstrating that the alteration confers loss- and gain-of-function characteristics to NaV1.8 characterized by a right-shifted voltage dependence of channel activation and inactivation. Current-clamp recordings from transfected mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons further revealed that NaV1.8-V1287I channels broaden the action potentials of sensory neurons and increase their firing rates in response to depolarizing current stimulations, indicating a gain-of-function mechanism of the variant at the cellular level in a heterozygous setting. The data support the hypothesis that the properties of NaV1.8 p.V1287I are causative for the patient's symptoms and that nonpainful peripheral paresthesias should be considered part of the clinical spectrum of NaV1.8-associated disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Loose
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care & CBBM - Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism, University of Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Annette Lischka
- Institute for Human Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Samuel Kuehs
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care & CBBM - Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism, University of Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Carla Nau
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care & CBBM - Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism, University of Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Stefan H Heinemann
- Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Department of Biophysics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena and Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Ingo Kurth
- Institute for Human Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Enrico Leipold
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care & CBBM - Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism, University of Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562, Luebeck, Germany.
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40
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Pérez R, Figueredo C, Burgos V, Cabrera-Pardo JR, Schmidt B, Heydenreich M, Koch A, Deuis JR, Vetter I, Paz C. Natural Compounds Purified from the Leaves of Aristotelia chilensis: Makomakinol, a New Alkaloid and the Effect of Aristoteline and Hobartine on Na V Channels. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15504. [PMID: 37958488 PMCID: PMC10650464 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Aristotelia chilensis or "maqui" is a tree native to Chile used in the folk medicine of the Mapuche people as an anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of digestive ailments, fever, and skin lesions. Maqui fruits are black berries which are considered a "superfruit" with notable potential health benefits, promoted to be an antioxidant, cardioprotective, and anti-inflammatory. Maqui leaves contain non-iridoid monoterpene indole alkaloids which have previously been shown to act on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, potassium channels, and calcium channels. Here, we isolated a new alkaloid from maqui leaves, now called makomakinol, together with the known alkaloids aristoteline, hobartine, and 3-formylindole. Moreover, the polyphenols quercetine, ethyl caffeate, and the terpenes, dihydro-β-ionone and terpin hydrate, were also obtained. In light of the reported analgesic and anti-nociceptive properties of A. chilensis, in particular a crude mixture of alkaloids containing aristoteline and hobartinol (PMID 21585384), we therefore evaluated the activity of aristoteline and hobartine on NaV1.8, a key NaV isoform involved in nociception, using automated whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology. Aristoteline and hobartine both inhibited Nav1.8 with an IC50 of 68 ± 3 µM and 54 ± 1 µM, respectively. Hobartine caused a hyperpolarizing shift of the voltage-dependence of the activation, whereas aristoteline did not change the voltage-dependence of the activation or inactivation. The inhibitory activity of these alkaloids on NaV channels may contribute to the reported analgesic properties of Aristotelia chilensis used by the Mapuche people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebeca Pérez
- Laboratory of Natural Products & Drug Discovery, Center CEBIM, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Francisco Salazar 01145, Temuco 4780000, Chile; (R.P.); (C.F.)
| | - Claudia Figueredo
- Laboratory of Natural Products & Drug Discovery, Center CEBIM, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Francisco Salazar 01145, Temuco 4780000, Chile; (R.P.); (C.F.)
| | - Viviana Burgos
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Químicas, Facultad de Recursos Naturales, Universidad Católica de Temuco, Rudecindo Ortega 02950, Temuco 4780000, Chile;
| | - Jaime R. Cabrera-Pardo
- Laboratorio de Química Aplicada y Sustentable (LabQAS), Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Concepción 4081112, Chile;
| | - Bernd Schmidt
- Institut für Chemie, Universität Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, D-14476 Potsdam, Germany; (B.S.); (A.K.)
| | - Matthias Heydenreich
- Institut für Chemie, Universität Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, D-14476 Potsdam, Germany; (B.S.); (A.K.)
| | - Andreas Koch
- Institut für Chemie, Universität Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, D-14476 Potsdam, Germany; (B.S.); (A.K.)
| | - Jennifer R. Deuis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (J.R.D.); (I.V.)
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (J.R.D.); (I.V.)
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Cristian Paz
- Laboratory of Natural Products & Drug Discovery, Center CEBIM, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Francisco Salazar 01145, Temuco 4780000, Chile; (R.P.); (C.F.)
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Bouhassira D, Attal N. Personalized treatment of neuropathic pain: Where are we now? Eur J Pain 2023; 27:1084-1098. [PMID: 37114461 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.2120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The treatment of neuropathic pain remains a major unmet need that the development of personalized and refined treatment strategies may contribute to address. DATABASE In this narrative review, we summarize the various approaches based on objective biomarkers or clinical markers that could be used. RESULTS In principle, the validation of objective biomarkers would be the most robust approach. However, although promising results have been reported demonstrating a potential value of genomics, anatomical or functional markers, the clinical validation of these markers has only just begun. Thus, most of the strategies documented to date have been based on the development of clinical markers. In particular, many studies have suggested that the identification of specific subgroups of patients presenting with specific combinations of symptoms and signs would be a relevant approach. Two main approaches have been used to identify relevant sensory profiles: quantitative sensory testing and specific patients reported outcomes based on description of pain qualities. CONCLUSION We discuss here the advantages and limitations of these approaches, which are not mutually exclusive. SIGNIFICANCE Recent data indicate that various new treatment strategies based on predictive biological and/or clinical markers could be helpful to better personalized and therefore improve the management of neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Didier Bouhassira
- Inserm U987, UVSQ-Paris-Saclay University, Ambroise Pare Hospital, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Nadine Attal
- Inserm U987, UVSQ-Paris-Saclay University, Ambroise Pare Hospital, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
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Banderali U, Moreno M, Martina M. The elusive Na v1.7: From pain to cancer. CURRENT TOPICS IN MEMBRANES 2023; 92:47-69. [PMID: 38007269 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctm.2023.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav) are protein complexes that play fundamental roles in the transmission of signals in the nervous system, at the neuromuscular junction and in the heart. They are mainly present in excitable cells where they are responsible for triggering action potentials. Dysfunctions in Nav ion conduction give rise to a wide range of conditions, including neurological disorders, hypertension, arrhythmia, pain and cancer. Nav family 1 is composed of nine members, named numerically from 1 to 9. A Nax family also exists and is involved in body-fluid homeostasis. Of particular interest is Nav1.7 which is highly expressed in the sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglions, where it is involved in the propagation of pain sensation. Gain-of-function mutations in Nav1.7 cause pathologies associated with increased pain sensitivity, while loss-of-function mutations cause reduced sensitivity to pain. The last decade has seen considerable effort in developing highly specific Nav1.7 blockers as pain medications, nonetheless, sufficient efficacy has yet to be achieved. Evidence is now conclusively showing that Navs are also present in many types of cancer cells, where they are involved in cell migration and invasiveness. Nav1.7 is anomalously expressed in endometrial, ovarian and lung cancers. Nav1.7 is also involved in Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN). We propose that the knowledge and tools developed to study the role of Nav1.7 in pain can be exploited to develop novel cancer therapies. In this chapter, we illustrate the various aspects of Nav1.7 function in pain, cancer and CIPN, and outline therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umberto Banderali
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council of Canada, Montreal road, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Maria Moreno
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council of Canada, Montreal road, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Marzia Martina
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council of Canada, Montreal road, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Smith PA. Neuropathic pain; what we know and what we should do about it. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2023; 4:1220034. [PMID: 37810432 PMCID: PMC10559888 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2023.1220034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain can result from injury to, or disease of the nervous system. It is notoriously difficult to treat. Peripheral nerve injury promotes Schwann cell activation and invasion of immunocompetent cells into the site of injury, spinal cord and higher sensory structures such as thalamus and cingulate and sensory cortices. Various cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, monoamines and neuropeptides effect two-way signalling between neurons, glia and immune cells. This promotes sustained hyperexcitability and spontaneous activity in primary afferents that is crucial for onset and persistence of pain as well as misprocessing of sensory information in the spinal cord and supraspinal structures. Much of the current understanding of pain aetiology and identification of drug targets derives from studies of the consequences of peripheral nerve injury in rodent models. Although a vast amount of information has been forthcoming, the translation of this information into the clinical arena has been minimal. Few, if any, major therapeutic approaches have appeared since the mid 1990's. This may reflect failure to recognise differences in pain processing in males vs. females, differences in cellular responses to different types of injury and differences in pain processing in humans vs. animals. Basic science and clinical approaches which seek to bridge this knowledge gap include better assessment of pain in animal models, use of pain models which better emulate human disease, and stratification of human pain phenotypes according to quantitative assessment of signs and symptoms of disease. This can lead to more personalized and effective treatments for individual patients. Significance statement: There is an urgent need to find new treatments for neuropathic pain. Although classical animal models have revealed essential features of pain aetiology such as peripheral and central sensitization and some of the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved, they do not adequately model the multiplicity of disease states or injuries that may bring forth neuropathic pain in the clinic. This review seeks to integrate information from the multiplicity of disciplines that seek to understand neuropathic pain; including immunology, cell biology, electrophysiology and biophysics, anatomy, cell biology, neurology, molecular biology, pharmacology and behavioral science. Beyond this, it underlines ongoing refinements in basic science and clinical practice that will engender improved approaches to pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A. Smith
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute and Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Pacifico P, Coy-Dibley JS, Miller RJ, Menichella DM. Peripheral mechanisms of peripheral neuropathic pain. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1252442. [PMID: 37781093 PMCID: PMC10537945 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1252442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP), neuropathic pain that arises from a damage or disease affecting the peripheral nervous system, is associated with an extremely large disease burden, and there is an increasing and urgent need for new therapies for treating this disorder. In this review we have highlighted therapeutic targets that may be translated into disease modifying therapies for PNP associated with peripheral neuropathy. We have also discussed how genetic studies and novel technologies, such as optogenetics, chemogenetics and single-cell RNA-sequencing, have been increasingly successful in revealing novel mechanisms underlying PNP. Additionally, consideration of the role of non-neuronal cells and communication between the skin and sensory afferents is presented to highlight the potential use of drug treatment that could be applied topically, bypassing drug side effects. We conclude by discussing the current difficulties to the development of effective new therapies and, most importantly, how we might improve the translation of targets for peripheral neuropathic pain identified from studies in animal models to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Pacifico
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - James S. Coy-Dibley
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Richard J. Miller
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Daniela M. Menichella
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
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Marchi M, Salvi E, Andelic M, Mehmeti E, D'Amato I, Cazzato D, Chiappori F, Lombardi R, Cartelli D, Devigili G, Dalla Bella E, Gerrits M, Almomani R, Malik RA, Ślęczkowska M, Mazzeo A, Gentile L, Dib-Hajj S, Waxman SG, Faber CG, Vecchio E, de Tommaso M, Lauria G. TRPA1 rare variants in chronic neuropathic and nociplastic pain patients. Pain 2023; 164:2048-2059. [PMID: 37079850 PMCID: PMC10443199 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. TRPA1 gene is significantly enriched of rare variants in neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia patients, with itch or cold-induced pain as the most common features, opening new treatment opportunities. Missing aspects of the heritability of chronic neuropathic pain, as a complex adult-onset trait, may be hidden within rare variants with low effect on disease risk, unlikely to be resolved by a single-variant approach. To identify new risk genes, we performed a next-generation sequencing of 107 pain genes and collapsed the rare variants through gene-wise aggregation analysis. The optimal unified sequence kernel association test was applied to 169 patients with painful neuropathy, 223 patients with nociplastic pain (82 diagnosed with chronic widespread pain and 141 with fibromyalgia), and 216 healthy controls. Frequency and features of variants in TRPA1 , which was the most significant gene, were further validated in 2 independent cohorts of 140 patients with chronic pain (90 with painful neuropathy and 50 with chronic widespread pain) and 34 with painless neuropathy. The effect of aminoacidic changes were modeled in silico according to physicochemical characteristics. TRPA1 was significantly enriched of rare variants which significantly discriminated chronic pain patients from healthy controls after Bonferroni correction (P = 6.7 × 10−4, ρ = 1), giving a risk of 4.8-fold higher based on the simple burden test (P = 0.0015, OR = 4.8). Among the 32 patients harboring TRPA1 variants, 24 (75%) were diagnosed with nociplastic pain, either fibromyalgia (12; 37.5%) or chronic widespread pain (12; 37.5%), whereas 8 (25%) with painful neuropathy. Irrespective of the clinical diagnosis, 12 patients (38%) complained of itch and 10 (31.3%) of cold-induced or cold-accentuated pain, mostly episodic. Our study widens the spectrum of channelopathy-related chronic pain disorders and contributes to bridging the gap between phenotype and targeted therapies based on patients' molecular profile. 1_tzjjvsic Kaltura
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Marchi
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Erika Salvi
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Mirna Andelic
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
- School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Elkadia Mehmeti
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria D'Amato
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Cazzato
- Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Chiappori
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Tecnologie Biomediche (CNR-ITB), Segrate (Milan), Italy
| | - Raffaella Lombardi
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Cartelli
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Grazia Devigili
- Movement Disorders Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Eleonora Dalla Bella
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Monique Gerrits
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Rowida Almomani
- Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Toxicogenomics, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Rayaz A. Malik
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiac Centre, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, The University of Manchester and NIHR/WellcomeTrust Clinical Research Facility, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Research Division, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar
| | - Milena Ślęczkowska
- School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Toxicogenomics, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Anna Mazzeo
- Unit of Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Luca Gentile
- Unit of Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Sulayman Dib-Hajj
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Stephen G. Waxman
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Catharina G. Faber
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Eleonora Vecchio
- Neurophysiopathology Unit, DiBrain Department, Aldo Moro University, Bari, Italy
| | - Marina de Tommaso
- Neurophysiopathology Unit, DiBrain Department, Aldo Moro University, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lauria
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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46
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Stratton HJ, Boinon L, Gomez K, Martin L, Duran P, Ran D, Zhou Y, Luo S, Perez-Miller S, Patek M, Ibrahim MM, Patwardhan A, Moutal A, Khanna R. Targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor A/neuropilin 1 axis for relief of neuropathic pain. Pain 2023; 164:1473-1488. [PMID: 36729125 PMCID: PMC10277229 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) is a pronociceptive factor that causes neuronal sensitization and pain. We reported that blocking the interaction between the membrane receptor neuropilin 1 (NRP1) and VEGF-A-blocked VEGF-A-mediated sensory neuron hyperexcitability and reduced mechanical hypersensitivity in a rodent chronic neuropathic pain model. These findings identified the NRP1-VEGF-A signaling axis for therapeutic targeting of chronic pain. In an in-silico screening of approximately 480 K small molecules binding to the extracellular b1b2 pocket of NRP1, we identified 9 chemical series, with 6 compounds disrupting VEGF-A binding to NRP1. The small molecule with greatest efficacy, 4'-methyl-2'-morpholino-2-(phenylamino)-[4,5'-bipyrimidin]-6(1H)-one, designated NRP1-4, was selected for further evaluation. In cultured primary sensory neurons, VEGF-A enhanced excitability and decreased firing threshold, which was blocked by NRP1-4. In addition, NaV1.7 and CaV2.2 currents and membrane expression were potentiated by treatment with VEGF-A, and this potentiation was blocked by NRP1-4 cotreatment. Neuropilin 1-4 reduced VEGF-A-mediated increases in the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents in dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Neuropilin 1-4 did not bind to more than 300 G-protein-coupled receptors and receptors including human opioids receptors, indicating a favorable safety profile. In rats with spared nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain, intrathecal administration of NRP1-4 significantly attenuated mechanical allodynia. Intravenous treatment with NRP1-4 reversed both mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in rats with L5/L6 spinal nerve ligation-induced neuropathic pain. Collectively, our findings show that NRP1-4 is a first-in-class compound targeting the NRP1-VEGF-A signaling axis to control voltage-gated ion channel function, neuronal excitability, and synaptic activity that curb chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harrison J. Stratton
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona; Tucson, Arizona, 85724 United States of America
| | - Lisa Boinon
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona; Tucson, Arizona, 85724 United States of America
| | - Kimberly Gomez
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY 10010, United States of America
| | - Laurent Martin
- Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona; Tucson, Arizona, 85724 United States of America
| | - Paz Duran
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY 10010, United States of America
| | - Dongzhi Ran
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona; Tucson, Arizona, 85724 United States of America
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona; Tucson, Arizona, 85724 United States of America
| | - Shizhen Luo
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona; Tucson, Arizona, 85724 United States of America
| | - Samantha Perez-Miller
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY 10010, United States of America
| | - Marcel Patek
- BrightRock Path, LLC, Tucson, Arizona 85704, United States
| | - Mohab M. Ibrahim
- Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona; Tucson, Arizona, 85724 United States of America
| | - Amol Patwardhan
- Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona; Tucson, Arizona, 85724 United States of America
| | - Aubin Moutal
- Saint Louis University - School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, 1402 S. Grand Blvd., Schwitalla Hall, Room 432, Saint Louis, MO 63104
| | - Rajesh Khanna
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
- NYU Pain Research Center, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY 10010, United States of America
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47
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Liu B, Wu W, Cui L, Zheng X, Li N, Zhang X, Duan G. A novel co-target of ACY1 governing plasma membrane translocation of SphK1 contributes to inflammatory and neuropathic pain. iScience 2023; 26:106989. [PMID: 37378314 PMCID: PMC10291574 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies validate that inhibiting sodium channel 1.8 (Nav1.8) effectively relieves inflammatory and neuropathic pain. However, Nav1.8 blockers have cardiac side effects in addition to analgesic effects. Here, we constructed a spinal differential protein expression profile using Nav1.8 knockout mice to screen common downstream proteins of Nav1.8 in inflammatory and neuropathic pain. We found that aminoacylase 1 (ACY1) expression was increased in wild-type mice compared to Nav1.8 knockout mice in both pain models. Moreover, spinal ACY1 overexpression induced mechanical allodynia in naive mice, while ACY1 suppression alleviated inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Further, ACY1 could interact with sphingosine kinase 1 and promote its membrane translocation, resulting in sphingosine-1-phosphate upregulation and the activation of glutamatergic neurons and astrocytes. In conclusion, ACY1 acts as a common downstream effector protein of Nav1.8 in inflammatory and neuropathic pain and could be a new and precise therapeutic target for chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baowen Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, and Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenyao Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - LingLing Cui
- Department of Anesthesiology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, and Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Wuhan third Hospital/Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xuemei Zheng
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ningbo Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, and Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xianwei Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, and Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Guangyou Duan
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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48
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Wu Q, Huang J, Fan X, Wang K, Jin X, Huang G, Li J, Pan X, Yan N. Structural mapping of Na v1.7 antagonists. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3224. [PMID: 37270609 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38942-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels are targeted by a number of widely used and investigational drugs for the treatment of epilepsy, arrhythmia, pain, and other disorders. Despite recent advances in structural elucidation of Nav channels, the binding mode of most Nav-targeting drugs remains unknown. Here we report high-resolution cryo-EM structures of human Nav1.7 treated with drugs and lead compounds with representative chemical backbones at resolutions of 2.6-3.2 Å. A binding site beneath the intracellular gate (site BIG) accommodates carbamazepine, bupivacaine, and lacosamide. Unexpectedly, a second molecule of lacosamide plugs into the selectivity filter from the central cavity. Fenestrations are popular sites for various state-dependent drugs. We show that vinpocetine, a synthetic derivative of a vinca alkaloid, and hardwickiic acid, a natural product with antinociceptive effect, bind to the III-IV fenestration, while vixotrigine, an analgesic candidate, penetrates the IV-I fenestration of the pore domain. Our results permit building a 3D structural map for known drug-binding sites on Nav channels summarized from the present and previous structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiurong Wu
- Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structures, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Jian Huang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA.
| | - Xiao Fan
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA.
| | - Kan Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Xueqin Jin
- Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structures, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Gaoxingyu Huang
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou, 310024, Zhejiang Province, China
- Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou, 310024, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jiaao Li
- Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structures, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Xiaojing Pan
- Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structures, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Nieng Yan
- Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structures, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA.
- Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation, Guangming District, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong Province, China.
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49
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Tran P, Tran HNT, McMahon KL, Deuis JR, Ragnarsson L, Norman A, Sharpe SJ, Payne RJ, Vetter I, Schroeder CI. Changes in Potency and Subtype Selectivity of Bivalent Na V Toxins are Knot-Specific. Bioconjug Chem 2023. [PMID: 37262436 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Disulfide-rich peptide toxins have long been studied for their ability to inhibit voltage-gated sodium channel subtype NaV1.7, a validated target for the treatment of pain. In this study, we sought to combine the pore blocking activity of conotoxins with the gating modifier activity of spider toxins to design new bivalent inhibitors of NaV1.7 with improved potency and selectivity. To do this, we created an array of heterodimeric toxins designed to target human NaV1.7 by ligating a conotoxin to a spider toxin and assessed the potency and selectivity of the resulting bivalent toxins. A series of spider-derived gating modifier toxins (GpTx-1, ProTx-II, gHwTx-IV, JzTx-V, CcoTx-1, and Pn3a) and two pore-blocker μ-conotoxins, SxIIIC and KIIIA, were used for this study. We employed either enzymatic ligation with sortase A for C- to N-terminal ligation or click chemistry for N- to N-terminal ligation. The bivalent peptide resulting from ligation of ProTx-II and SxIIIC (Pro[LPATG6]Sx) was shown to be the best combination as native ProTx-II potency at hNaV1.7 was conserved following ligation. At hNaV1.4, a synergistic effect between the pore blocker and gating modifier toxin moieties was observed, resulting in altered sodium channel subtype selectivity compared to the parent peptides. Further studies including mutant bivalent peptides and mutant hNaV1.7 channels suggested that gating modifier toxins have a greater contribution to the potency of the bivalent peptides than pore blockers. This study delineated potential benefits and drawbacks of designing pharmacological hybrid peptides targeting hNaV1.7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poanna Tran
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Hue N T Tran
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Kirsten L McMahon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Jennifer R Deuis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Lotten Ragnarsson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Alexander Norman
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Simon J Sharpe
- Molecular Medicine Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Richard J Payne
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Christina I Schroeder
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201, United States
- Genentech, 1 DNA Way South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
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50
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Syed O, Jancic P, Knezevic NN. A Review of Recent Pharmacological Advances in the Management of Diabetes-Associated Peripheral Neuropathy. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:801. [PMID: 37375749 DOI: 10.3390/ph16060801] [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: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of longstanding diabetes mellitus. These neuropathies can present in various forms, and with the increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus, a subsequent increase in peripheral neuropathy cases has been noted. Peripheral neuropathy has a significant societal and economic burden, with patients requiring concomitant medication and often experiencing a decline in their quality of life. There is currently a wide variety of pharmacological interventions, including serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, gapentanoids, sodium channel blockers, and tricyclic antidepressants. These medications will be discussed, as well as their respective efficacies. Recent advances in the treatment of diabetes mellitus with incretin system-modulating drugs, specifically glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists, have been promising, and their potential implication in the treatment of peripheral diabetic neuropathy is discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osman Syed
- Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Chicago, IL 60657, USA
- Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA
| | - Predrag Jancic
- Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Chicago, IL 60657, USA
| | - Nebojsa Nick Knezevic
- Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Chicago, IL 60657, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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