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Rasheed AAB, Birling MC, Lauria G, Gaveriaux-Ruff C, Herault Y. The COL6A5-p.Glu2272* mutation induces chronic itch in mice. Mamm Genome 2024; 35:122-134. [PMID: 38523187 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-024-10032-9] [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: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Pruritus is a common irritating sensation that provokes the desire to scratch. Environmental and genetic factors contribute to the onset of pruritus. Moreover, itch can become a major burden when it becomes chronic. Interestingly, the rare Collagen VI alpha 5 (COL6A5) gene variant p.Glu2272* has been identified in two families and an independent patient with chronic neuropathic itch. These patients showed reduced COL6A5 expression in skin and normal skin morphology. However, little progress has been made until now toward understanding the relationships between this mutation and chronic itch. Therefore, we developed the first mouse model that recapitulates COL6A5-p.Glu2272* mutation using the CRISPR-Cas technology and characterized this new mouse model. The mutant mRNA, measured by RT-ddPCR, was expressed at normal levels in dorsal root ganglia and was decreased in skin. The functional exploration showed effects of the mutation with some sex dysmorphology. Mutant mice had increased skin permeability. Elevated spontaneous scratching and grooming was detected in male and female mutants, with increased anxiety-like behavior in female mutants. These results suggest that the COL6A5-p.Glu2272* mutation found in patients contributes to chronic itch and induces in mice additional behavioral changes. The COL6A5-p.Glu2272* mouse model could elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying COL6A5 role in itch and help identify potential new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ameer Abu Bakr Rasheed
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), 1 rue Laurent Fries, 67400, Illkirch, France
| | - Marie-Christine Birling
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), 1 rue Laurent Fries, 67400, Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, PHENOMIN-Institut Clinique de la Souris, (PHENOMIN-ICS), 1 rue Laurent Fries, 67400, Illkirch, France
| | - Giuseppe Lauria
- Neuroalgology Unit, IRCCS Foundation "Carlo Besta" Neurological Institute, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Claire Gaveriaux-Ruff
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), 1 rue Laurent Fries, 67400, Illkirch, France
- Biotechnology and Cell Signaling, CNRS, University of Strasbourg, UMR7242, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Yann Herault
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), 1 rue Laurent Fries, 67400, Illkirch, France.
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, PHENOMIN-Institut Clinique de la Souris, (PHENOMIN-ICS), 1 rue Laurent Fries, 67400, Illkirch, France.
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2
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Poddar S, Mondal H, Podder I. Aetiology, pathogenesis and management of neuropathic itch: A narrative review with recent updates. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2024; 90:5-18. [PMID: 37317726 DOI: 10.25259/ijdvl_846_2022] [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: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Neuropathic itch is a relatively common yet under-reported cause of systemic pruritus. It is a debilitating condition often associated with pain, which impairs the patient's quality of life. Although much literature exists about renal and hepatic pruritus, there is a dearth of information and awareness about neuropathic itch. The pathogenesis of neuropathic itch is complex and can result from an insult at any point along the itch pathway, ranging from the peripheral receptors and nerves until the brain. There are several causes of neuropathic itch, many of which do not produce any skin lesions and are thus, often missed. A detailed history and clinical examination are necessary for the diagnosis, while laboratory and radiologic investigations may be needed in select cases. Several therapeutic strategies currently exist involving both non-pharmacological and pharmacological measures, the latter including topical, systemic, and invasive options. Further research is ongoing to clarify its pathogenesis and to design newer targeted therapies with minimal adverse effects. This narrative review highlights the current understanding of this condition, focusing on its causes, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management, along with newer investigational drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreya Poddar
- Department of Dermatology, Asansol District Hospital, Asansol, West Bengal, India
| | - Himel Mondal
- Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Deoghar, Jharkhand, India
| | - Indrashis Podder
- Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine & Sagore Dutta Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
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3
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Zhao C, Zhou X, Shi X. The influence of Nav1.9 channels on intestinal hyperpathia and dysmotility. Channels (Austin) 2023; 17:2212350. [PMID: 37186898 DOI: 10.1080/19336950.2023.2212350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The Nav1.9 channel is a voltage-gated sodium channel. It plays a vital role in the generation of pain and the formation of neuronal hyperexcitability after inflammation. It is highly expressed in small diameter neurons of dorsal root ganglions and Dogiel II neurons in enteric nervous system. The small diameter neurons in dorsal root ganglions are the primary sensory neurons of pain conduction. Nav1.9 channels also participate in regulating intestinal motility. Functional enhancements of Nav1.9 channels to a certain extent lead to hyperexcitability of small diameter dorsal root ganglion neurons. The hyperexcitability of the neurons can cause visceral hyperalgesia. Intestinofugal afferent neurons and intrinsic primary afferent neurons in enteric nervous system belong to Dogiel type II neurons. Their excitability can also be regulated by Nav1.9 channels. The hyperexcitability of intestinofugal afferent neurons abnormally activate entero-enteric inhibitory reflexes. The hyperexcitability of intrinsic primary afferent neurons disturb peristaltic waves by abnormally activating peristaltic reflexes. This review discusses the role of Nav1.9 channels in intestinal hyperpathia and dysmotility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyu Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Medical Genetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xi Zhou
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoliu Shi
- Department of Medical Genetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Brackx W, de Cássia Collaço R, Theys M, Cruyssen JV, Bosmans F. Understanding the physiological role of Na V1.9: Challenges and opportunities for pain modulation. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 245:108416. [PMID: 37061202 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108416] [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: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
Voltage-activated Na+ (NaV) channels are crucial contributors to rapid electrical signaling in the human body. As such, they are among the most targeted membrane proteins by clinical therapeutics and natural toxins. Several of the nine mammalian NaV channel subtypes play a documented role in pain or other sensory processes such as itch, touch, and smell. While causal relationships between these subtypes and biological function have been extensively described, the physiological role of NaV1.9 is less understood. Yet, mutations in NaV1.9 can cause striking disease phenotypes related to sensory perception such as loss or gain of pain and chronic itch. Here, we explore our current knowledge of the mechanisms by which NaV1.9 may contribute to pain and elaborate on the challenges associated with establishing links between experimental conditions and human disease. This review also discusses the lack of comprehensive insights into NaV1.9-specific pharmacology, an unfortunate situation since modulatory compounds may have tremendous potential in the clinic to treat pain or as precision tools to examine the extent of NaV1.9 participation in sensory perception processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wayra Brackx
- Molecular Physiology and Neurophysics Group, Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rita de Cássia Collaço
- Molecular Physiology and Neurophysics Group, Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Margaux Theys
- Molecular Physiology and Neurophysics Group, Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jolien Vander Cruyssen
- Molecular Physiology and Neurophysics Group, Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Frank Bosmans
- Molecular Physiology and Neurophysics Group, Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.
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Pathological changes of the sural nerve in patients with familial episodic pain syndrome. Neurol Sci 2022; 43:5605-5614. [PMID: 35524925 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-022-06107-7] [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: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Familial episodic pain syndrome type 3 (FEPS3) is an inherited disorder characterized by the early-childhood onset of severe episodic pain that primarily affects the distal extremities. As skin biopsy has revealed a reduction in intraepidermal nerve fiber density and degeneration of the unmyelinated axons, it remains unclear whether FEPS3 patients have pathological changes in the peripheral nerve. METHODS The clinical features of patients with FEPS3 were summarized in a large autosomal dominant family. Sural nerve biopsies were conducted in two patients. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed in the index patient. Sanger sequencing was used to analyze family co-segregation. RESULTS Fourteen members exhibited typical and uniform clinical phenotypes characterized by length-dependent and age-dependent severe episodic pain affecting the distal extremities, which can be relieved with anti-inflammatory medicine. The WES revealed a heterozygous mutation c.665G > A (p.R222H) in the SCN11A gene, which was co-segregated with the clinical phenotype in this family. A sural biopsy in patient V:1, who was experiencing episodic pain at 16 years old, showed normal structure, while the sural nerve in patient IV:1, whose pain attack had completely diminished at 42 years old, displayed a decrease of the density of unmyelinated axons with the axonal degeneration. CONCLUSIONS The clinical phenotype of FEPS3 showed distinctive characteristics that likely arise from dysfunctional nociceptive neurons that lack detectable pathological alterations in the nerve fibers. Nevertheless, long-term dysfunction of the Nav1.9 channel may cause degeneration of the unmyelinated fibers in FEPS3 patient with pain remission.
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Zhao C, Jin J, Hu H, Zhou X, Shi X. The Gain-of-Function R222S Variant in Scn11a Contributes to Visceral Hyperalgesia and Intestinal Dysmotility in Scn11 a R222S/R222S Mice. Front Neurol 2022; 13:856459. [PMID: 35711274 PMCID: PMC9197071 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.856459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The SCN11A gene encodes the α-subunit of the Nav1. 9 channel, which is a regulator of primary sensory neuron excitability. Nav1.9 channels play a key role in somatalgia. Humans with the gain-of-function mutation R222S in SCN11A exhibit familial episodic pain. As already known, R222S knock-in mice carrying a mutation orthologous to the human R222S variant demonstrate somatic hyperalgesia. This study investigated whether Scn11aR222S/R222S mice developed visceral hyperalgesia and intestinal dysmotility. Methods We generated Scn11aR222S/R222S mice using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The somatic pain threshold in Scn11aR222S/R222S mice was assessed by Hargreaves' test and formalin test. The excitability of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons was assessed by whole-cell patch-clamp recording. Visceralgia was tested using the abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR), acetic acid-induced writhing, and formalin-induced visceral nociception tests. Intestinal motility was detected by a mechanical recording of the intestinal segment and a carbon powder propelling test. The excitability of the enteric nervous system (ENS) could influence gut neurotransmitters. Gut neurotransmitters participate in regulating intestinal motility and secretory function. Therefore, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and substance P (SP) were measured in intestinal tissues. Results The R222S mutation induced hyperexcitability of dorsal root ganglion neurons in Scn11aR222S/R222S mice. Scn11aR222S/R222S mice exhibited somatic hyperalgesia. In addition, Scn11aR222S/R222S mice showed lower visceralgia thresholds and slowed intestinal movements when compared with wild-type controls. Moreover, Scn11aR222S/R222S mice had lower SP and VIP concentrations in intestinal tissues. Conclusions These results indicated that Scn11aR222S/R222S mice showed visceral hyperalgesia and intestinal dysmotility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyu Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Medical Genetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jishuo Jin
- Department of Medical Genetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Chigene (Beijing) Translational Medical Research Center Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Haoye Hu
- Department of Medical Genetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xi Zhou
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoliu Shi
- Department of Medical Genetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Tavares-Ferreira D, Shiers S, Ray PR, Wangzhou A, Jeevakumar V, Sankaranarayanan I, Cervantes AM, Reese JC, Chamessian A, Copits BA, Dougherty PM, Gereau RW, Burton MD, Dussor G, Price TJ. Spatial transcriptomics of dorsal root ganglia identifies molecular signatures of human nociceptors. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabj8186. [PMID: 35171654 PMCID: PMC9272153 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abj8186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 73.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Nociceptors are specialized sensory neurons that detect damaging or potentially damaging stimuli and are found in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and trigeminal ganglia. These neurons are critical for the generation of neuronal signals that ultimately create the perception of pain. Nociceptors are also primary targets for treating acute and chronic pain. Single-cell transcriptomics on mouse nociceptors has transformed our understanding of pain mechanisms. We sought to generate equivalent information for human nociceptors with the goal of identifying transcriptomic signatures of nociceptors, identifying species differences and potential drug targets. We used spatial transcriptomics to molecularly characterize transcriptomes of single DRG neurons from eight organ donors. We identified 12 clusters of human sensory neurons, 5 of which are C nociceptors, as well as 1 C low-threshold mechanoreceptors (LTMRs), 1 Aβ nociceptor, 2 Aδ, 2 Aβ, and 1 proprioceptor subtypes. By focusing on expression profiles for ion channels, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), and other pharmacological targets, we provided a rich map of potential drug targets in the human DRG with direct comparison to mouse sensory neuron transcriptomes. We also compared human DRG neuronal subtypes to nonhuman primates showing conserved patterns of gene expression among many cell types but divergence among specific nociceptor subsets. Last, we identified sex differences in human DRG subpopulation transcriptomes, including a marked increase in calcitonin-related polypeptide alpha (CALCA) expression in female pruritogen receptor-enriched nociceptors. This comprehensive spatial characterization of human nociceptors might open the door to development of better treatments for acute and chronic pain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Tavares-Ferreira
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson TX 75080, USA.,Corresponding author: (T.J.P.); (D.T.-F.)
| | - Stephanie Shiers
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson TX 75080, USA
| | - Pradipta R. Ray
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson TX 75080, USA
| | - Andi Wangzhou
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson TX 75080, USA
| | - Vivekanand Jeevakumar
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson TX 75080, USA
| | - Ishwarya Sankaranarayanan
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson TX 75080, USA
| | | | | | - Alexander Chamessian
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Bryan A. Copits
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Patrick M. Dougherty
- Department of Pain Medicine, Division of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Robert W. Gereau
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Michael D. Burton
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson TX 75080, USA
| | - Gregory Dussor
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson TX 75080, USA
| | - Theodore J. Price
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson TX 75080, USA.,Corresponding author: (T.J.P.); (D.T.-F.)
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8
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Tavares-Ferreira D, Shiers S, Ray PR, Wangzhou A, Jeevakumar V, Sankaranarayanan I, Cervantes AM, Reese JC, Chamessian A, Copits BA, Dougherty PM, Gereau RW, Burton MD, Dussor G, Price TJ. Spatial transcriptomics of dorsal root ganglia identifies molecular signatures of human nociceptors. Sci Transl Med 2022. [DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abj8186\] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Nociceptors are specialized sensory neurons that detect damaging or potentially damaging stimuli and are found in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and trigeminal ganglia. These neurons are critical for the generation of neuronal signals that ultimately create the perception of pain. Nociceptors are also primary targets for treating acute and chronic pain. Single-cell transcriptomics on mouse nociceptors has transformed our understanding of pain mechanisms. We sought to generate equivalent information for human nociceptors with the goal of identifying transcriptomic signatures of nociceptors, identifying species differences and potential drug targets. We used spatial transcriptomics to molecularly characterize transcriptomes of single DRG neurons from eight organ donors. We identified 12 clusters of human sensory neurons, 5 of which are C nociceptors, as well as 1 C low-threshold mechanoreceptors (LTMRs), 1 Aβ nociceptor, 2 Aδ, 2 Aβ, and 1 proprioceptor subtypes. By focusing on expression profiles for ion channels, G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs), and other pharmacological targets, we provided a rich map of potential drug targets in the human DRG with direct comparison to mouse sensory neuron transcriptomes. We also compared human DRG neuronal subtypes to nonhuman primates showing conserved patterns of gene expression among many cell types but divergence among specific nociceptor subsets. Last, we identified sex differences in human DRG subpopulation transcriptomes, including a marked increase in calcitonin-related polypeptide alpha (
CALCA
) expression in female pruritogen receptor–enriched nociceptors. This comprehensive spatial characterization of human nociceptors might open the door to development of better treatments for acute and chronic pain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Tavares-Ferreira
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson TX 75080, USA
| | - Stephanie Shiers
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson TX 75080, USA
| | - Pradipta R. Ray
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson TX 75080, USA
| | - Andi Wangzhou
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson TX 75080, USA
| | - Vivekanand Jeevakumar
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson TX 75080, USA
| | - Ishwarya Sankaranarayanan
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson TX 75080, USA
| | | | | | - Alexander Chamessian
- Department of Anesthesiology , Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Bryan A. Copits
- Department of Anesthesiology , Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Patrick M. Dougherty
- Department of Pain Medicine, Division of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Robert W. Gereau
- Department of Anesthesiology , Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Michael D. Burton
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson TX 75080, USA
| | - Gregory Dussor
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson TX 75080, USA
| | - Theodore J. Price
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson TX 75080, USA
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