1
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Romagnuolo M, Moltrasio C, Cavalli R, Brena M, Tadini G. A novel mutation in the SCN9A gene associated with congenital insensitivity to pain, anhidrosis, and mild cognitive impairment. Pediatr Dermatol 2024; 41:80-83. [PMID: 37345838 DOI: 10.1111/pde.15366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Congenital insensitivity to pain (CIP) is a rare phenotype characterized by the inability to perceive pain stimuli with subsequent self-injuries, whereas CIP associated with anhidrosis (CIPA) is an overlapping phenotype mainly characterized by insensitivity to noxious stimuli and anhidrosis. CIP is primarily associated with pathogenetic variants in the SCN9A gene while CIPA is associated with pathogenetic variants in NGF and NRTK genes. However, in recent years, a significant overlap between these two disorders has been observed highlighting the presence of anhidrosis in SCN9A variants. We report the cases of two siblings (age 4 and 6 years) born from consanguineous parents presenting with a previously undescribed phenotype due to a novel pathogenic variant in SCN9A clinically characterized by congenital insensitivity to pain, anhidrosis, and mild cognitive impairment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Romagnuolo
- Dermatology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Moltrasio
- Dermatology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Riccardo Cavalli
- Pediatric Dermatology Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Brena
- Pediatric Dermatology Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianluca Tadini
- Pediatric Dermatology Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Baker CA. Spying on specific splicing in spinal nerve injury. Neurotherapeutics 2024; 21:e00315. [PMID: 38216398 PMCID: PMC10903080 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurot.2024.e00315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Baker
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yammine T, Aprahamian R, Souaid M, Salem N, Awwad J, Farra C. Novel SCN9A variant associated with congenital insensitivity to pain. Mol Biol Rep 2023:10.1007/s11033-023-08507-0. [PMID: 37231219 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08507-0] [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: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital insensitivity to pain (CIP) is a rare autosomal recessive syndrome characterized by lack of pain perception and a wide spectrum of clinical signs such as anosmia and hyposmia. Variants in SCN9A gene are associated with CIP. We here report on a Lebanese family with three CIP patients referred for genetic investigations. METHODS AND RESULTS Whole exome sequencing analysis revealed the presence of a novel nonsense, homozygous SCN9A pathogenic variant: SCN9A (NM_001365536.1): c.4633G > T, p.(Glu1545*) in exon 26. CONCLUSION Our three Lebanese patients had CIP, urinary incontinence and normal olfactory function while two of them also presented with osteoporosis and osteoarthritis; this association of features has not been previously reported in the literature. We hope that this report would contribute to a better delineation of the phenotypic spectrum associated with SCN9A pathogenic variants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tony Yammine
- Medical Genetics Unit, Saint Joseph University, B.P.17-5208, Mar Mikhael, Beirut, 11042020, Lebanon
| | - Raffi Aprahamian
- Medical Genetics Unit, Saint Joseph University, B.P.17-5208, Mar Mikhael, Beirut, 11042020, Lebanon
| | - Mirna Souaid
- Medical Genetics Unit, Saint Joseph University, B.P.17-5208, Mar Mikhael, Beirut, 11042020, Lebanon
| | - Nabiha Salem
- Medical Genetics Unit, Saint Joseph University, B.P.17-5208, Mar Mikhael, Beirut, 11042020, Lebanon
| | - Johnny Awwad
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Chantal Farra
- Medical Genetics Unit, Saint Joseph University, B.P.17-5208, Mar Mikhael, Beirut, 11042020, Lebanon.
- Medical Genetics Department, Hotel Dieu de France, Beirut, Lebanon.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hummel T, T. Liu D, A. Müller C, A. Stuck B, Welge-Lüssen A, Hähner A. Olfactory Dysfunction: Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 120:146-154. [PMID: 36647581 PMCID: PMC10198165 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2022.0411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disorders of the sense of smell have received greater attention because of the frequency with which they occur as a symptom of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Olfactory dysfunction can lead to profound reduction in quality of life and may arise from many different causes. METHODS A selective literature review was conducted with consideration of the current version of the guideline issued by the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany. RESULTS The cornerstones of diagnosis are the relevant medical history and psychophysical testing of olfactory function using standardized validated tests. Modern treatment strategies are oriented on the cause of the dysfunction. While treatment of the underlying inflammation takes precedence in patients with sinunasal dysosmia, olfactory training is the primary treatment option for other forms of the disorder. The prognosis is determined not only by the cause of the olfactory dysfunction and the patient's age, but also by the olfactory performance as measured at the time of diagnosis. CONCLUSION Options for the treatment of olfactory dysfunction are available but limited, depending on the cause. It is therefore important to carry out a detailed diagnostic work-up and keep the patient informed of the expected course and prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hummel
- Interdisciplinary Center for Smell and Taste, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden
| | - David T. Liu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna General Hospital, Austria
| | - Christian A. Müller
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna General Hospital, Austria
| | - Boris A. Stuck
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Giessen and Marburg University Hospital Ltd., Marburg
| | - Antje Welge-Lüssen
- Interdisciplinary Center for Smell and Taste, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden
| | - Antje Hähner
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Basel University Hospital, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Dormer A, Narayanan M, Schentag J, Achinko D, Norman E, Kerrigan J, Jay G, Heydorn W. A Review of the Therapeutic Targeting of SCN9A and Nav1.7 for Pain Relief in Current Human Clinical Trials. J Pain Res 2023; 16:1487-1498. [PMID: 37168847 PMCID: PMC10166096 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s388896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction There is a great need to find alternative treatments for chronic pain which have become a healthcare problem. We discuss current therapeutic targeting Nav1.7. Areas Covered Nav1.7 is a sodium ion channel protein that is associated with several human pain genetic syndromes. It has been found that mutations associated with Nav1.7 lead to the loss of the ability to perceive pain in individuals that are otherwise normal. Several therapeutic interventions are presently undergoing preclinical and research using the methodology of damping Nav1.7 expressions as a methodology to decrease the sensation of pain leading to analgesia. Expert Opinion It is our strong belief that there is a viable future in the targeting of protein of Nav1.7 for the relief of chronic pain in humans. The review will look at the genomics associated with SCN1A and proteomic of Nav1.7 as a foundation to explain the mechanism of the therapeutic interventions targeting Nav1.7, the human disease that are associated with Nav1.7, and the current development of treatment for chronic pain whether in preclinical or clinical trials targeting Nav1.7 expressions. The development of therapeutic antagonists targeting Nav1.7 could be a viable alternative to the current treatments which have led to the opioid crisis. Therefore, Nav1.7 targeted treatment has a major clinical significance that will have positive consequences as it relates to chronic pain interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anton Dormer
- Research and Development, Pepvax, Inc, Silver Spring, MD, USA
- Correspondence: Anton Dormer, Research and Development, PepVax, Inc, 8720 Georgia Ave #1000, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, USA, Email
| | | | - Jerome Schentag
- Research and Development, Pepvax, Inc, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Daniel Achinko
- Research and Development, Pepvax, Inc, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Elton Norman
- Research and Development, Pepvax, Inc, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - James Kerrigan
- Research and Development, Navintus, Inc, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Gary Jay
- Research and Development, Navintus, Inc, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Marchi M, D'Amato I, Andelic M, Cartelli D, Salvi E, Lombardi R, Gumus E, Lauria G. Congenital insensitivity to pain: a novel mutation affecting a U12-type intron causes multiple aberrant splicing of SCN9A. Pain 2022; 163:e882-e887. [PMID: 34799533 PMCID: PMC9199108 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Mutations in the alpha subunit of voltage-gated sodium channel 1.7 (NaV1.7), encoded by SCN9A gene, play an important role in the regulation of nociception and can lead to a wide range of clinical outcomes, ranging from extreme pain syndromes to congenital inability to experience pain. To expand the phenotypic and genotypic spectrum of SCN9A-related channelopathies, we describe the proband, a daughter born from consanguineous parents, who had pain insensitivity, diminished temperature sensation, foot burns, and severe loss of nociceptive nerve fibers in the epidermis. Next-generation sequencing of SCN9A (NM_002977.3) revealed a novel homozygous substitution (c.377+7T>G) in the donor splice site of intron 3. As the RNA functional testing is challenging, the in silico analysis is the first approach to predict possible alterations. In this case, the computational analysis was unable to identify the splicing consensus and could not provide any prediction for splicing defects. The affected intron indeed belongs to the U12 type, a family of introns characterised by noncanonical consensus at the splice sites, accounting only for 0.35% of all human introns, and is not included in most of the training sets for splicing prediction. A functional study on proband RNA showed different aberrant transcripts, where exon 3 was missing and an intron fragment was included. A quantification study using real-time polymerase chain reaction showed a significant reduction of the NaV1.7 canonical transcript. Collectively, these data widen the spectrum of SCN9A-related insensitivity to pain by describing a mutation causing NaV1.7 deficiency, underlying the nociceptor dysfunction, and highlight the importance of molecular investigation of U12 introns' mutations despite the silent prediction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Marchi
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”, Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria D'Amato
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”, Milan, Italy
| | - Mirna Andelic
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neurology, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Daniele Cartelli
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”, Milan, Italy
| | - Erika Salvi
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”, Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaella Lombardi
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”, Milan, Italy
| | - Evren Gumus
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Harran, Sanliurfa, Turkey
| | - Giuseppe Lauria
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Deller M, Gellrich J, Lohrer EC, Schriever VA. Genetics of congenital olfactory dysfunction: a systematic review of the literature. Chem Senses 2022; 47:6847567. [PMID: 36433800 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjac028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Olfaction, as one of our 5 senses, plays an important role in our daily lives. It is connected to proper nutrition, social interaction, and protection mechanisms. Disorders affecting this sense consequently also affect the patients' general quality of life. Because the underlying genetics of congenital olfactory disorders (COD) have not been thoroughly investigated yet, this systematic review aimed at providing information on genes that have previously been reported to be mutated in patients suffering from COD. This was achieved by systematically reviewing existing literature on 3 databases, namely PubMed, Ovid Medline, and ISI Web of Science. Genes and the type of disorder, that is, isolated and/or syndromic COD were included in this study, as were the patients' associated abnormal features, which were categorized according to the affected organ(-system). Our research yielded 82 candidate genes/chromosome loci for isolated and/or syndromic COD. Our results revealed that the majority of these are implicated in syndromic COD, a few accounted for syndromic and isolated COD, and the least underly isolated COD. Most commonly, structures of the central nervous system displayed abnormalities. This study is meant to assist clinicians in determining the type of COD and detecting potentially abnormal features in patients with confirmed genetic variations. Future research will hopefully expand this list and thereby further improve our understanding of COD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Deller
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Pediatric Neurology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Janine Gellrich
- Abteilung Neuropädiatrie Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität, Dresden, Germany
| | - Elisabeth C Lohrer
- Abteilung Neuropädiatrie Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität, Dresden, Germany
| | - Valentin A Schriever
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Pediatric Neurology, Berlin, Germany.,Abteilung Neuropädiatrie Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität, Dresden, Germany.,Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Center for Chronically Sick Children (Sozialpädiatrisches Zentrum, SPZ), Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Neff RA, Wickenden AD. Selective Targeting of Nav1.7 with Engineered Spider Venom-Based Peptides. Channels (Austin) 2021; 15:179-193. [PMID: 33427574 PMCID: PMC7808416 DOI: 10.1080/19336950.2020.1860382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
A fundamental mechanism that drives the propagation of electrical signals in the nervous system is the activation of voltage-gated sodium channels. The sodium channel subtype Nav1.7 is critical for the transmission of pain-related signaling, with gain-of-function mutations in Nav1.7 resulting in various painful pathologies. Loss-of-function mutations cause complete insensitivity to pain and anosmia in humans that otherwise have normal nervous system function, rendering Nav1.7 an attractive target for the treatment of pain. Despite this, no Nav1.7 selective therapeutic has been approved for use as an analgesic to date. Here we present a summary of research that has focused on engineering peptides found in spider venoms to produce Nav1.7 selective antagonists. We discuss the progress that has been made on various scaffolds from different venom families and highlight the challenges that remain in the effort to produce a Nav1.7 selective, venom-based analgesic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert A. Neff
- Neuroscience Discovery, Janssen Research and Development, LLC, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Alan D. Wickenden
- Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Janssen Research and Development, LLC, San Diego, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
The cellular and molecular basis of somatosensory neuron development. Neuron 2021; 109:3736-3757. [PMID: 34592169 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Primary somatosensory neurons convey salient information about our external environment and internal state to the CNS, allowing us to detect, perceive, and react to a wide range of innocuous and noxious stimuli. Pseudo-unipolar in shape, and among the largest (longest) cells of most mammals, dorsal root ganglia (DRG) somatosensory neurons have peripheral axons that extend into skin, muscle, viscera, or bone and central axons that innervate the spinal cord and brainstem, where they synaptically engage the central somatosensory circuitry. Here, we review the diversity of mammalian DRG neuron subtypes and the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms that control their development. We describe classical and contemporary advances that frame our understanding of DRG neurogenesis, transcriptional specification of DRG neurons, and the establishment of morphological, physiological, and synaptic diversification across somatosensory neuron subtypes.
Collapse
|
11
|
MacDonald DI, Sikandar S, Weiss J, Pyrski M, Luiz AP, Millet Q, Emery EC, Mancini F, Iannetti GD, Alles SRA, Arcangeletti M, Zhao J, Cox JJ, Brownstone RM, Zufall F, Wood JN. A central mechanism of analgesia in mice and humans lacking the sodium channel Na V1.7. Neuron 2021; 109:1497-1512.e6. [PMID: 33823138 PMCID: PMC8110947 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Deletion of SCN9A encoding the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.7 in humans leads to profound pain insensitivity and anosmia. Conditional deletion of NaV1.7 in sensory neurons of mice also abolishes pain, suggesting that the locus of analgesia is the nociceptor. Here we demonstrate, using in vivo calcium imaging and extracellular recording, that NaV1.7 knockout mice have essentially normal nociceptor activity. However, synaptic transmission from nociceptor central terminals in the spinal cord is greatly reduced by an opioid-dependent mechanism. Analgesia is also reversed substantially by central but not peripheral application of opioid antagonists. In contrast, the lack of neurotransmitter release from olfactory sensory neurons is opioid independent. Male and female humans with NaV1.7-null mutations show naloxone-reversible analgesia. Thus, inhibition of neurotransmitter release is the principal mechanism of anosmia and analgesia in mouse and human Nav1.7-null mutants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donald Iain MacDonald
- Molecular Nociception Group, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
| | - Shafaq Sikandar
- Centre for Experimental Medicine & Rheumatology, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Jan Weiss
- Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Martina Pyrski
- Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Ana P Luiz
- Molecular Nociception Group, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Queensta Millet
- Molecular Nociception Group, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Edward C Emery
- Molecular Nociception Group, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Flavia Mancini
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Gian D Iannetti
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK; Neuroscience and Behaviour Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Sascha R A Alles
- Molecular Nociception Group, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Manuel Arcangeletti
- Molecular Nociception Group, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Jing Zhao
- Molecular Nociception Group, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - James J Cox
- Molecular Nociception Group, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | | | - Frank Zufall
- Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - John N Wood
- Molecular Nociception Group, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Goodwin G, McMahon SB. The physiological function of different voltage-gated sodium channels in pain. Nat Rev Neurosci 2021; 22:263-274. [PMID: 33782571 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-021-00444-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Evidence from human genetic pain disorders shows that voltage-gated sodium channel α-subtypes Nav1.7, Nav1.8 and Nav1.9 are important in the peripheral signalling of pain. Nav1.7 is of particular interest because individuals with Nav1.7 loss-of-function mutations are congenitally insensitive to acute and chronic pain, and there is considerable hope that phenocopying these effects with a pharmacological antagonist will produce a new class of analgesic drug. However, studies in these rare individuals do not reveal how and where voltage-gated sodium channels contribute to pain signalling, which is of critical importance for drug development. More than a decade of research utilizing rodent genetic models and pharmacological tools to study voltage-gated sodium channels in pain has begun to unravel the role of different subtypes. Here, we review the contribution of individual channel subtypes in three key physiological processes necessary for transmission of sensory information to the CNS: transduction of stimuli at peripheral nerve terminals, axonal transmission of action potentials and neurotransmitter release from central terminals. These data suggest that drugs seeking to recapitulate the analgesic effects of loss of function of Nav1.7 will need to be brain-penetrant - which most of those developed to date are not.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George Goodwin
- Pain and Neurorestoration Group, King's College London, London, UK.
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Contribution of Skin Biopsy in Peripheral Neuropathies. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10120989. [PMID: 33333929 PMCID: PMC7765344 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10120989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last three decades the study of cutaneous innervation through 3 mm-punch-biopsy has provided an important contribution to the knowledge of small fiber somatic and autonomic neuropathies but also of large fiber neuropathies. Skin biopsy is a minimally invasive technique with the advantage, compared to sural nerve biopsy, of being suitable to be applied to any site in our body, of being repeatable over time, of allowing the identification of each population of nerve fiber through its target. In patients with symptoms and signs of small fiber neuropathy the assessment of IntraEpidermal Nerve Fiber density is the gold standard to confirm the diagnosis while the quantification of sudomotor, pilomotor, and vasomotor nerve fibers allows to evaluate and characterize the autonomic involvement. All these parameters can be re-evaluated over time to monitor the disease process and to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatments. Myelinated fibers and their receptors can also be evaluated to detect a “dying back” neuropathy early when nerve conduction study is still normal. Furthermore, the morphometry of dermal myelinated fibers has provided new insight into pathophysiological mechanisms of different types of inherited and acquired large fibers neuropathies. In genetic neuropathies skin biopsy has become a surrogate for sural nerve biopsy, no longer necessary in the diagnostic process, to study genotype–phenotype correlations.
Collapse
|
14
|
Abstract
Primary nociceptors are a heterogeneous class of peripheral somatosensory neurons, responsible for detecting noxious, pruriceptive, and thermal stimuli. These neurons are further divided into several molecularly defined subtypes that correlate with their functional sensory modalities and morphological features. During development, all nociceptors arise from a common pool of embryonic precursors, and then segregate progressively into their mature specialized phenotypes. In this review, we summarize the intrinsic transcriptional programs and extrinsic trophic factor signaling mechanisms that interact to control nociceptor diversification. We also discuss how recent transcriptome profiling studies have significantly advanced the field of sensory neuron development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suna L Cranfill
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Wenqin Luo
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Slepukhina MA, Ivashchenko DV, Sheina MA, Muradian AA, Blagovestnov DA, Sychev DA. Pain pharmacogenetics. Drug Metab Pers Ther 2020; 35:dmpt-2020-2939. [PMID: 32776897 DOI: 10.1515/dmpt-2020-2939] [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: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Pain is a significant problem in medicine. The use of PGx markers to personalize postoperative analgesia can increase its effectiveness and avoid undesirable reactions. This article describes the mechanisms of nociception and antinociception and shows the pathophysiological mechanisms of pain in the human body. The main subject of this article is pharmacogenetic approach to the selection of anesthetics. Current review presents data for local and general anesthetics, opioids, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. None of the anesthetics currently has clinical guidelines for pharmacogenetic testing. This literature review summarizes the results of original research available, to date, and draws attention to this area.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Dmitriy V Ivashchenko
- Child Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Department, Department of Personalized Medicine, Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria A Sheina
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | - Dmitriy A Sychev
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Moscow, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Stunnenberg B, Haaxma C, van Haelst M, Ponson-Wever M, Verberne E, Peters I, Gerrits M. Novel SCN9A Mutations in a Compound Heterozygous Girl with Congenital Insensitivity to Pain. JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1714067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
AbstractCongenital Insensitivity to Pain (CIP) is a rare disorder that is characterized by the inability to perceive pain. It is caused by bi-allelic inactivating mutations in the SCN9A gene, which encodes the pore-forming α-subunit of the nerve voltage-gated sodium channel (Nav1.7). Patients with CIP are unable to feel pain from noxious stimuli, including heat, but all other peripheral somatosensory modalities function normally. Often anosmia is present as an additional feature. We reported a patient with CIP caused by compound heterozygous SCN9A mutations: a novel in-frame deletion of exon 7 and a novel frameshift mutation. The identification of these mutations expands the spectrum of mutations associated with CIP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bas Stunnenberg
- Department of Neurology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Charlotte Haaxma
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mieke van Haelst
- Department of Clinical Genetics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Ponson-Wever
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Horacio E. Oduber Hospital, Oranjestad, Aruba
| | - Eline Verberne
- Department of Clinical Genetics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ivo Peters
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Monique Gerrits
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Painful and painless mutations of SCN9A and SCN11A voltage-gated sodium channels. Pflugers Arch 2020; 472:865-880. [PMID: 32601768 PMCID: PMC7351857 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-020-02419-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Chronic pain is a global problem affecting up to 20% of the world’s population and has a significant economic, social and personal cost to society. Sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) detect noxious stimuli and transmit this sensory information to regions of the central nervous system (CNS) where activity is perceived as pain. DRG neurons express multiple voltage-gated sodium channels that underlie their excitability. Research over the last 20 years has provided valuable insights into the critical roles that two channels, NaV1.7 and NaV1.9, play in pain signalling in man. Gain of function mutations in NaV1.7 cause painful conditions while loss of function mutations cause complete insensitivity to pain. Only gain of function mutations have been reported for NaV1.9. However, while most NaV1.9 mutations lead to painful conditions, a few are reported to cause insensitivity to pain. The critical roles these channels play in pain along with their low expression in the CNS and heart muscle suggest they are valid targets for novel analgesic drugs.
Collapse
|
18
|
Grubinska B, Chen L, Alsaloum M, Rampal N, Matson DJ, Yang C, Taborn K, Zhang M, Youngblood B, Liu D, Galbreath E, Allred S, Lepherd M, Ferrando R, Kornecook TJ, Lehto SG, Waxman SG, Moyer BD, Dib-Hajj S, Gingras J. Rat Na V1.7 loss-of-function genetic model: Deficient nociceptive and neuropathic pain behavior with retained olfactory function and intra-epidermal nerve fibers. Mol Pain 2020; 15:1744806919881846. [PMID: 31550995 PMCID: PMC6831982 DOI: 10.1177/1744806919881846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Recapitulating human disease pathophysiology using genetic animal models is a
powerful approach to enable mechanistic understanding of genotype–phenotype
relationships for drug development. NaV1.7 is a sodium channel
expressed in the peripheral nervous system with strong human genetic validation
as a pain target. Efforts to identify novel analgesics that are nonaddictive
resulted in industry exploration of a class of sulfonamide compounds that bind
to the fourth voltage-sensor domain of NaV1.7. Due to sequence
differences in this region, sulfonamide blockers generally are potent on human
but not rat NaV1.7 channels. To test sulfonamide-based chemical
matter in rat models of pain, we generated a humanized NaV1.7 rat
expressing a chimeric NaV1.7 protein containing the
sulfonamide-binding site of the human gene sequence as a replacement for the
equivalent rat sequence. Unexpectedly, upon transcription, the human insert was
spliced out, resulting in a premature stop codon. Using a validated antibody,
NaV1.7 protein was confirmed to be lost in the brainstem, dorsal
root ganglia, sciatic nerve, and gastrointestinal tissue but not in nasal
turbinates or olfactory bulb in rats homozygous for the knock-in allele
(HOM-KI). HOM-KI rats exhibited normal intraepidermal nerve fiber density with
reduced tetrodotoxin-sensitive current density and action potential firing in
small diameter dorsal root ganglia neurons. HOM-KI rats did not exhibit
nociceptive pain responses in hot plate or capsaicin-induced flinching assays
and did not exhibit neuropathic pain responses following spinal nerve ligation.
Consistent with expression of chimeric NaV1.7 in olfactory tissue,
HOM-KI rats retained olfactory function. This new genetic model highlights the
necessity of NaV1.7 for pain behavior in rats and indicates that
sufficient inhibition of NaV1.7 in humans may reduce pain in
neuropathic conditions. Due to preserved olfactory function, this rat model
represents an alternative to global NaV1.7 knockout mice that require
time-intensive hand feeding during early postnatal development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B Grubinska
- Neuroscience Department, Amgen Research, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Voyager Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - L Chen
- Department of Neurology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.,Center for Neuroscience & Regeneration Research, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA.,Center for Rehabilitation Research, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - M Alsaloum
- Department of Neurology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.,Center for Neuroscience & Regeneration Research, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA.,Center for Rehabilitation Research, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA.,Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Yale Medical Scientist Training Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - N Rampal
- Neuroscience Department, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
| | - D J Matson
- Neuroscience Department, Amgen Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - C Yang
- Neuroscience Department, Amgen Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - K Taborn
- Neuroscience Department, Amgen Research, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Wave Life Sciences, Ltd, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - M Zhang
- Neuroscience Department, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
| | - B Youngblood
- Neuroscience Department, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
| | - D Liu
- Neuroscience Department, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
| | - E Galbreath
- Comparative Biology and Safety Sciences, Amgen Research, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - S Allred
- Comparative Biology and Safety Sciences, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, USA.,Seattle Genetics, Bothell, WA, USA
| | - M Lepherd
- Comparative Biology and Safety Sciences, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, USA.,Genentech, Inc. South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - R Ferrando
- Comparative Biology and Safety Sciences, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, USA.,AbbVie Stemcentrx, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - T J Kornecook
- Neuroscience Department, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA.,Biogen Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - S G Lehto
- Neuroscience Department, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
| | - S G Waxman
- Department of Neurology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.,Center for Neuroscience & Regeneration Research, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA.,Center for Rehabilitation Research, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - B D Moyer
- Neuroscience Department, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
| | - S Dib-Hajj
- Department of Neurology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.,Center for Neuroscience & Regeneration Research, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA.,Center for Rehabilitation Research, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - J Gingras
- Neuroscience Department, Amgen Research, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Homology Medicine Inc., Bedford, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Zhang P, Southey BR, Rodriguez-Zas SL. Co-expression networks uncover regulation of splicing and transcription markers of disease. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ... ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIOINFORMATICS AND COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY 2020; 70:119-128. [PMID: 35047432 DOI: 10.29007/rl4h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Gene co-expression networks based on gene expression data are usually used to capture biologically significant patterns, enabling the discovery of biomarkers and interpretation of regulatory relationships. However, the coordination of numerous splicing changes within and across genes can exert a substantial impact on the function of these genes. This is particularly impactful in studies of the properties of the nervous system, which can be masked in the networks that only assess the correlation between gene expression levels. A bioinformatics approach was developed to uncover the role of alternative splicing and associated transcriptional networks using RNA-seq profiles. Data from 40 samples, including control and two treatments associated with sensitivity to stimuli across two central nervous system regions that can present differential splicing, were explored. The gene expression and relative isoform levels were integrated into a transcriptome-wide matrix, and then Graphical Lasso was applied to capture the interactions between genes and isoforms. Next, functional enrichment analysis enabled the discovery of pathways dysregulated at the isoform or gene levels and the interpretation of these interactions within a central nervous region. In addition, a Bayesian biclustering strategy was used to reconstruct treatment-specific networks from gene expression profile, allowing the identification of hub molecules and visualization of highly connected modules of isoforms and genes in specific conditions. Our bioinformatics approach can offer comparable insights into the discovery of biomarkers and therapeutic targets for a wide range of diseases and conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pan Zhang
- Illinois Informatics Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, the U.S.,Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, the U.S
| | - Bruce R Southey
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, the U.S
| | - Sandra L Rodriguez-Zas
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, the U.S.,Department of Statistics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, the U.S.,Carle Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, the U.S
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Devigili G, Rinaldo S, Lombardi R, Cazzato D, Marchi M, Salvi E, Eleopra R, Lauria G. Diagnostic criteria for small fibre neuropathy in clinical practice and research. Brain 2019; 142:3728-3736. [PMID: 31665231 PMCID: PMC6906595 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awz333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 07/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The diagnostic criteria for small fibre neuropathy are not established, influencing the approach to patients in clinical practice, their access to disease-modifying and symptomatic treatments, the use of healthcare resources, and the design of clinical trials. To address these issues, we performed a reappraisal study of 150 patients with sensory neuropathy and a prospective and follow-up validation study of 352 new subjects with suspected sensory neuropathy. Small fibre neuropathy diagnostic criteria were based on deep clinical phenotyping, quantitative sensory testing (QST) and intraepidermal nerve fibre density (IENFD). Small fibre neuropathy was ruled out in 5 of 150 patients (3.3%) of the reappraisal study. Small fibre neuropathy was diagnosed at baseline of the validation study in 149 of 352 patients (42.4%) based on the combination between two clinical signs and abnormal QST and IENFD (69.1%), abnormal QST alone (5.4%), or abnormal IENFD alone (20.1%). Eight patients (5.4%) had abnormal QST and IENFD but no clinical signs. Further, 38 patients complained of sensory symptoms but showed no clinical signs. Of those, 34 (89.4%) had normal QST and IENFD, 4 (10.5%) had abnormal QST and normal IENFD, and none had abnormal IENFD alone. At 18-month follow-up, 19 of them (56%) reported the complete recovery of symptoms and showed normal clinical, QST and IENFD findings. None of those with one single abnormal test (QST or IENFD) developed clinical signs or showed abnormal findings on the other test. Conversely, all eight patients with abnormal QST and IENFD at baseline developed clinical signs at follow-up. The combination of clinical signs and abnormal QST and/or IENFD findings can more reliably lead to the diagnosis of small fibre neuropathy than the combination of abnormal QST and IENFD findings in the absence of clinical signs. Sensory symptoms alone should not be considered a reliable screening feature. Our findings demonstrate that the combined clinical, functional and structural approach to the diagnosis of small fibre neuropathy is reliable and relevant both for clinical practice and clinical trial design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grazia Devigili
- Movement Disorders Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Rinaldo
- Movement Disorders Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”, Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaella Lombardi
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Cazzato
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”, Milan, Italy
| | - Margherita Marchi
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”, Milan, Italy
| | - Erika Salvi
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Eleopra
- Movement Disorders Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lauria
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco”, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
McDermott LA, Weir GA, Themistocleous AC, Segerdahl AR, Blesneac I, Baskozos G, Clark AJ, Millar V, Peck LJ, Ebner D, Tracey I, Serra J, Bennett DL. Defining the Functional Role of Na V1.7 in Human Nociception. Neuron 2019; 101:905-919.e8. [PMID: 30795902 PMCID: PMC6424805 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.01.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Loss-of-function mutations in NaV1.7 cause congenital insensitivity to pain (CIP); this voltage-gated sodium channel is therefore a key target for analgesic drug development. Utilizing a multi-modal approach, we investigated how NaV1.7 mutations lead to human pain insensitivity. Skin biopsy and microneurography revealed an absence of C-fiber nociceptors in CIP patients, reflected in a reduced cortical response to capsaicin on fMRI. Epitope tagging of endogenous NaV1.7 revealed the channel to be localized at the soma membrane, axon, axon terminals, and the nodes of Ranvier of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) nociceptors. CIP patient-derived iPSC nociceptors exhibited an inability to properly respond to depolarizing stimuli, demonstrating that NaV1.7 is a key regulator of excitability. Using this iPSC nociceptor platform, we found that some NaV1.7 blockers undergoing clinical trials lack specificity. CIP, therefore, arises due to a profound loss of functional nociceptors, which is more pronounced than that reported in rodent models, or likely achievable following acute pharmacological blockade. VIDEO ABSTRACT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucy A McDermott
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Greg A Weir
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | | | - Andrew R Segerdahl
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK; Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Iulia Blesneac
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Georgios Baskozos
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Alex J Clark
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Val Millar
- Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Liam J Peck
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Daniel Ebner
- Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Irene Tracey
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK; Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Jordi Serra
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, King's College Hospital, London SE5 9RS, UK
| | - David L Bennett
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Marchi M, Provitera V, Nolano M, Romano M, Maccora S, D'Amato I, Salvi E, Gerrits M, Santoro L, Lauria G. A novel SCN9A splicing mutation in a compound heterozygous girl with congenital insensitivity to pain, hyposmia and hypogeusia. J Peripher Nerv Syst 2018; 23:202-206. [PMID: 29978519 PMCID: PMC6767138 DOI: 10.1111/jns.12280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Congenital insensitivity to pain (CIP) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder presenting with a spectrum of clinical features caused by mutations in different genes. A 10-year-old girl with CIP, hyposmia and hypogeusia, and her unaffected twin and parents underwent next generation sequencing of SCN9A exons and flanking splice sites. Transcript analysis from whole blood successfully assayed the effect of the mutation on the mRNA splicing by polymerase chain reaction amplification on cDNA and Sanger sequencing. We identified the novel splicing variant c.1108-2A>G compound with the p.Arg896Gln (c.2687G>A) missense mutation previously described in a homozygous patient. The new intronic variant was predicted to induce exon 10 skipping. Conversely, SCN9A mRNA assay demonstrated its partial deletion with a loss of 46 nucleotides causing a premature stop codon in position p.Gln369 (NP_002968). Genetic analysis showed that the two variants were biallelic, being the mother and brother heterozygous carriers of the missense mutation, and the father heterozygous for the splicing mutation. Skin biopsy showed lack of Meissner's corpuscles, loss of epidermal nociceptors and normal autonomic organ innervation. We report a novel splicing mutation and provide clues on its pathogenic effect, broadening the spectrum of genotypes and phenotypes associated to CIP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Marchi
- Neuroalgology Unit, IRCCS Foundation "Carlo Besta" Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Provitera
- Neurology Department, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, IRCCS Telese Terme, Benevento, Italy
| | - Maria Nolano
- Neurology Department, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, IRCCS Telese Terme, Benevento, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Marcello Romano
- Department of Neurology, AOOR Villa Sofia Cervello, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Ilaria D'Amato
- Neuroalgology Unit, IRCCS Foundation "Carlo Besta" Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Erika Salvi
- Neuroalgology Unit, IRCCS Foundation "Carlo Besta" Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy.,Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Monique Gerrits
- Clinical Genetics and Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Lucio Santoro
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lauria
- Neuroalgology Unit, IRCCS Foundation "Carlo Besta" Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|