Identifying Genes Linked to Chronic Neuropathic Pain
Author Information
Author(s): Anna-Karin Persson, Mathias Gebauer, Suzana Jordan, Christiane Metz-Weidmann, Anke M Schulte, Hans-Christoph Schneider, Danping Ding-Pfennigdorff, Jonas Thun, Xiao-Jun Xu, Zsuzsanna Wiesenfeld-Hallin, Ariel Darvasi, Kaj Fried, Marshall Devor
Primary Institution: Karolinska Institutet
Hypothesis
Which genes contribute to the pain phenotype versus other nerve injury-evoked processes such as nerve regeneration?
Conclusion
Differential regulation of the genes Scn11a and Trpm8 contributes to variability in pain phenotype across different mouse strains.
Supporting Evidence
- 2552 transcripts were significantly regulated in the axotomized L5DRG 3 days postoperatively.
- Regulation of Scn11a correlated with spontaneous pain behavior.
- Regulation of Trpm8 correlated with heat hypersensibility.
- Very few genes in the uninjured L4DRG showed altered expression.
Takeaway
Scientists studied mice to find out which genes are important for feeling pain after nerve injury. They found that two specific genes are linked to how much pain different mice feel.
Methodology
The study used in situ hybridization and microarray analysis to examine gene expression in mouse dorsal root ganglia after spinal nerve ligation.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the selection of candidate genes based on prior knowledge.
Limitations
The study primarily focused on a limited number of mouse strains and may not capture all relevant genes involved in pain.
Participant Demographics
Young adult male mice from five different inbred strains.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.04
Statistical Significance
p < 0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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