2024
Disordered but effective: short linear motifs as gene therapy targets for hyperexcitability disorders
Dib-Hajj S, Waxman S. Disordered but effective: short linear motifs as gene therapy targets for hyperexcitability disorders. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2024, 134: e182198. PMID: 38949022, PMCID: PMC11213459, DOI: 10.1172/jci182198.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTetrodotoxin-sensitiveHyperexcitability disordersSensory neuronsExcitability of sensory neuronsGene therapy modalitiesPeripheral sensory neuronsVoltage-gated sodiumMinimal side effectsGene therapyInduce analgesiaTherapy modalitiesSide effectsTherapeutic strategiesNav channelsAttenuating excitationIn vivoHyperexcitabilityAnalgesiaNeuronsDisordersPainTherapyGenesBiodistributionRats
2023
Sodium currents in naïve mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons: No major differences between sexes
Ghovanloo M, Tyagi S, Zhao P, Effraim P, Dib-Hajj S, Waxman S. Sodium currents in naïve mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons: No major differences between sexes. Channels 2023, 18: 2289256. PMID: 38055732, PMCID: PMC10761158, DOI: 10.1080/19336950.2023.2289256.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSexual dimorphismRodent dorsal root ganglion neuronsBiophysical propertiesDorsal root ganglion neuronsExpression patternsSex-dependent regulationVoltage-gated sodiumFunctional analysisGanglion neuronsRodent sensory neuronsMouse dorsal root ganglion neuronsNaïve WT miceNumber of cellsMixed populationDimorphismUniform experimental conditionsSex-dependent differencesSensory neuronsNative DRG neuronsPain pathwaysDRG neuronsWT miceClinical studiesNav currentsAdult malesNaV1.7: A central role in pain
Waxman S, Dib-Hajj S. NaV1.7: A central role in pain. Neuron 2023, 111: 2615-2617. PMID: 37678164, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.08.011.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchGenetic, electrophysiological, and pathological studies on patients with SCN9A‐related pain disorders
Yuan J, Cheng X, Matsuura E, Higuchi Y, Ando M, Hashiguchi A, Yoshimura A, Nakachi R, Mine J, Taketani T, Maeda K, Kawakami S, Kira R, Tanaka S, Kanai K, Dib‐Hajj F, Dib‐Hajj S, Waxman S, Takashima H. Genetic, electrophysiological, and pathological studies on patients with SCN9A‐related pain disorders. Journal Of The Peripheral Nervous System 2023, 28: 597-607. PMID: 37555797, DOI: 10.1111/jns.12590.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsParoxysmal extreme pain disorderPainful peripheral neuropathyPain disordersSCN9A mutationsPeripheral neuropathyNovel SCN9A mutationsVoltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.7Sodium channel Nav1.7Steady-state fast inactivationGene panel sequencingPatch-clamp analysisAutonomic neuropathyNeuropathic painSCN9A geneClinical featuresUnderlying pathogenesisPathological studiesPatientsChannel Nav1.7EM phenotypePhenotypic spectrumNeuropathyNav1.7 channelsPatch-clamp systemElectrophysiological analysisTargeting a Peripheral Sodium Channel to Treat Pain
Waxman S. Targeting a Peripheral Sodium Channel to Treat Pain. New England Journal Of Medicine 2023, 389: 466-469. PMID: 37530829, DOI: 10.1056/nejme2305708.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPain-causing stinging nettle toxins target TMEM233 to modulate NaV1.7 function
Jami S, Deuis J, Klasfauseweh T, Cheng X, Kurdyukov S, Chung F, Okorokov A, Li S, Zhang J, Cristofori-Armstrong B, Israel M, Ju R, Robinson S, Zhao P, Ragnarsson L, Andersson Å, Tran P, Schendel V, McMahon K, Tran H, Chin Y, Zhu Y, Liu J, Crawford T, Purushothamvasan S, Habib A, Andersson D, Rash L, Wood J, Zhao J, Stehbens S, Mobli M, Leffler A, Jiang D, Cox J, Waxman S, Dib-Hajj S, Neely G, Durek T, Vetter I. Pain-causing stinging nettle toxins target TMEM233 to modulate NaV1.7 function. Nature Communications 2023, 14: 2442. PMID: 37117223, PMCID: PMC10147923, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37963-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSensory neuronsVoltage-sensing domainNav channelsTransmembrane proteinAccessory proteinsVoltage-gated sodium channelsCritical regulatorPore domainChannel gatingExtracellular loopToxin-mediated effectsNeuronal excitabilityPeptide toxinsProteinSodium channelsPharmacological activitiesNav1.7 functionKnottin peptidesNeuronsImportant insightsToxinSubunitsRegulatorDomainExcelsaInflammation differentially controls transport of depolarizing Nav versus hyperpolarizing Kv channels to drive rat nociceptor activity
Higerd-Rusli G, Tyagi S, Baker C, Liu S, Dib-Hajj F, Dib-Hajj S, Waxman S. Inflammation differentially controls transport of depolarizing Nav versus hyperpolarizing Kv channels to drive rat nociceptor activity. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2023, 120: e2215417120. PMID: 36897973, PMCID: PMC10089179, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2215417120.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCell biological mechanismsAxonal surfaceLive-cell imagingIon channel traffickingAnterograde transport vesiclesTransport vesiclesInflammatory mediatorsChannel traffickingPlasma membraneVesicular loadingIon channelsKv channelsPotential therapeutic targetPotassium channel KSodium channel NaTraffickingBiological mechanismsTherapeutic targetAbundanceRetrograde transportDistal axonsChannel NaInflammatory painNociceptor activityAxonal transportNav1.7 P610T mutation in two siblings with persistent ocular pain after corneal axon transection: impaired slow inactivation and hyperexcitable trigeminal neurons
Ghovanloo M, Effraim P, Yuan J, Schulman B, Jacobs D, Dib-Hajj S, Waxman S. Nav1.7 P610T mutation in two siblings with persistent ocular pain after corneal axon transection: impaired slow inactivation and hyperexcitable trigeminal neurons. Journal Of Neurophysiology 2023, 129: 609-618. PMID: 36722722, PMCID: PMC9988530, DOI: 10.1152/jn.00457.2022.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPersistent ocular painTrigeminal ganglion neuronsOcular painCorneal refractive surgeryGanglion neuronsRefractive surgeryAxonal injurySlow inactivationHuman pain modelTrigeminal afferent nervesTrigeminal ganglion axonsSmall subgroupPain-related disordersEffects of injurySodium channel Nav1.7Channel slow inactivationEye painPostoperative painMost patientsPain modelAfferent nervesPersistent painTrigeminal neuronsNav1.7 mutationAxon transection
2018
A novel gain-of-function Nav1.7 mutation in a carbamazepine-responsive patient with adult-onset painful peripheral neuropathy
Adi T, Estacion M, Schulman BR, Vernino S, Dib-Hajj S, Waxman S. A novel gain-of-function Nav1.7 mutation in a carbamazepine-responsive patient with adult-onset painful peripheral neuropathy. Molecular Pain 2018, 14: 1744806918815007. PMID: 30392441, PMCID: PMC6856981, DOI: 10.1177/1744806918815007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPainful peripheral neuropathyDorsal root gangliaPeripheral neuropathyUse-dependent inhibitionDRG neuronsPain disordersM variantFunction Nav1.7 mutationsMulti-electrode array recordingsSympathetic ganglion neuronsCommon pain disordersVoltage-clamp recordingsVoltage-gated sodium channel NaRare MendelianNav1.7 mutationGanglion neuronsSodium channel NaTrigeminal ganglionRoot gangliaNeonatal ratsPatientsNeuropathyMutant channelsFunction variantsNeurons
2016
Pharmacological reversal of a pain phenotype in iPSC-derived sensory neurons and patients with inherited erythromelalgia
Cao L, McDonnell A, Nitzsche A, Alexandrou A, Saintot PP, Loucif AJ, Brown AR, Young G, Mis M, Randall A, Waxman SG, Stanley P, Kirby S, Tarabar S, Gutteridge A, Butt R, McKernan RM, Whiting P, Ali Z, Bilsland J, Stevens EB. Pharmacological reversal of a pain phenotype in iPSC-derived sensory neurons and patients with inherited erythromelalgia. Science Translational Medicine 2016, 8: 335ra56. PMID: 27099175, DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aad7653.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSensory neuronsPain conditionsSodium channelsClinical phenotypeSensory neuronal activityChronic pain conditionsHeat-induced painPeripheral nervous systemUnmet clinical needSodium channel Nav1.7Nav1.7 sodium channelNav1.7 blockersPharmacological reversalPain phenotypesExtreme painNeuronal activityHeat stimuliNervous systemChannel Nav1.7PainClinical needPatientsAberrant responsesSensory conditionsInduced pluripotent stem cell line
2014
Paroxysmal itch caused by gain-of-function Nav1.7 mutation
Devigili G, Eleopra R, Pierro T, Lombardi R, Rinaldo S, Lettieri C, Faber C, Merkies I, Waxman S, Lauria G. Paroxysmal itch caused by gain-of-function Nav1.7 mutation. Pain 2014, 155: 1702-1707. PMID: 24820863, DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2014.05.006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsIntraepidermal nerve fiber densityNerve fiber densityFiber densityAutonomic cardiovascular reflexesFunction Nav1.7 mutationsNerve conduction studiesManifestations of allergyQuantitative sensory testingParadoxical heat sensationProfile assessmentConsequence of diseaseNav1.7 sodium channelCardiovascular reflexesPregabalin treatmentAutonomic testsConduction studiesNav1.7 mutationPain thresholdClinical pictureSystemic diseaseSomatosensory pathwaysSkin biopsiesIndex patientsSensory testingSpicy foods
2012
The NaV1.7 sodium channel: from molecule to man
Dib-Hajj SD, Yang Y, Black JA, Waxman SG. The NaV1.7 sodium channel: from molecule to man. Nature Reviews Neuroscience 2012, 14: 49-62. PMID: 23232607, DOI: 10.1038/nrn3404.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDorsal hornPain disordersNerve endingsNociceptive dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuronsPainful small fiber neuropathyDorsal root ganglion neuronsVoltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.7Small fiber neuropathyTreatment of painFree nerve endingsSecond-order neuronsSmall molecule blockersSodium channel Nav1.7Function mutationsOlfactory sensory neuronsProbability of neuronsNav1.7 sodium channelSuperficial laminaeGanglion neuronsRisk factorsSympathetic neuronsSlow depolarizationSpinal cordCardiac deficitsSensory neurons
2008
Multiple sodium channel isoforms and mitogen‐activated protein kinases are present in painful human neuromas
Black JA, Nikolajsen L, Kroner K, Jensen TS, Waxman SG. Multiple sodium channel isoforms and mitogen‐activated protein kinases are present in painful human neuromas. Annals Of Neurology 2008, 64: 644-653. PMID: 19107992, DOI: 10.1002/ana.21527.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMultiple sodium channel isoformsHuman neuromasSodium channel isoformsPainful neuromasMitogen-activated protein kinaseERK1/2 MAP kinasesNeuronal voltage-gated sodium channelsChannel isoformsSodium channel Nav1.3Sodium channelsSpontaneous ectopic dischargeTreatment of painSodium channel Nav1.1Possible therapeutic targetVoltage-gated sodium channelsMAP kinase p38Ectopic dischargesChronic painTraumatic neuromaChannel Nav1.1MAP kinaseExtracellular signal-regulated kinases 1NeuromaTherapeutic targetPainNav1.9, G‐proteins, and nociceptors
Waxman SG, Estacion M. Nav1.9, G‐proteins, and nociceptors. The Journal Of Physiology 2008, 586: 917-918. PMID: 18287383, PMCID: PMC2375642, DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2007.149922.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchLocomotor Dysfunction and Pain: The Scylla and Charybdis of Fiber Sprouting After Spinal Cord Injury
Deumens R, Joosten E, Waxman S, Hains B. Locomotor Dysfunction and Pain: The Scylla and Charybdis of Fiber Sprouting After Spinal Cord Injury. Molecular Neurobiology 2008, 37: 52-63. PMID: 18415034, DOI: 10.1007/s12035-008-8016-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsChronic painFiber sproutingAutonomic dysreflexiaMotor functionDorsal horn laminaePrimary afferent fibersSpinal cord injuryInterruption of connectionsDevelopment of therapiesMotor deficitsMotor dysfunctionNociceptive processingSensory fibersAfferent fibersCord injuryMotor fibersAberrant sproutingRegenerative sproutingSpinal cordLocomotor dysfunctionInhibitory barrierPainAxonal growthFiber tractsDysreflexia
2006
Fire and phantoms after spinal cord injury: Na+ channels and central pain
Waxman S, Hains B. Fire and phantoms after spinal cord injury: Na+ channels and central pain. Trends In Neurosciences 2006, 29: 207-215. PMID: 16494954, DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2006.02.003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSpinal cord injuryNeuropathic painCord injurySpinal cord dorsal horn neuronsDorsal horn neuronsNervous system injuryCentral painPain pathwaysSystem injuryThalamic neuronsPainAbnormal expressionPhantom phenomenaNeuronsInjuryMolecular targetsMolecular changesRecent findingsHyperexcitabilityNav1.3Molecular basis
2000
Voltage-gated sodium channels and the molecular pathogenesis of pain: a review.
Waxman SG, Cummins TR, Dib-Hajj SD, Black JA. Voltage-gated sodium channels and the molecular pathogenesis of pain: a review. The Journal Of Rehabilitation Research And Development 2000, 37: 517-28. PMID: 11322150.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVoltage-gated sodium channelsDRG neuronsNervous systemSodium channelsDistinct voltage-gated sodium channelsAction potentialsSpinal sensory neuronsSodium channel expressionSpontaneous action potentialsDifferent sodium channelsSpecific sodium channelsUnderstanding of painHigh-frequency activityInflammatory painPain pathwaysChronic painNociceptive signalsPeripheral nervesSensory neuronsNew therapiesPainChannel expressionMolecular pathogenesisPharmacologic manipulationNeuron cell membraneSodium channels and the molecular pathophysiology of pain
Cummins T, Dib-Hajj S, Black J, Waxman S. Sodium channels and the molecular pathophysiology of pain. Progress In Brain Research 2000, 129: 3-19. PMID: 11098678, DOI: 10.1016/s0079-6123(00)29002-x.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsConceptsDorsal root gangliaTrigeminal neuronsSodium channelsAction potentialsDorsal root ganglion neuronsSpontaneous action potential activityMolecular pathophysiologyPrimary sensory neuronsPeripheral target tissuesAction potential activitySodium channel expressionChain of neuronsPathological burstingNerve injuryNociceptive pathwaysChronic painGanglion neuronsRoot gangliaSensory neuronsChannel expressionSomatosensory systemPainNeuronsTarget tissuesPathophysiology
1999
Sodium channels, excitability of primary sensory neurons, and the molecular basis of pain
Waxman S, Cummins T, Dib‐Hajj S, Fjell J, Black J. Sodium channels, excitability of primary sensory neurons, and the molecular basis of pain. Muscle & Nerve 1999, 22: 1177-1187. PMID: 10454712, DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-4598(199909)22:9<1177::aid-mus3>3.0.co;2-p.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsConceptsPrimary sensory neuronsDRG neuronsSodium channel expressionSodium channel gene expressionSensory neuronsChannel gene expressionSodium channelsChannel expressionSodium currentTTX-sensitive sodium currentAbnormal burst activityNormal DRG neuronsSNS/PN3Resistant sodium currentsDistinct sodium channelsSodium channel geneChannel genesInflammatory painNerve injuryAxonal transectionElectrophysiological abnormalitiesSelective blockadePharmacological approachesBurst activityPainThe molecular pathophysiology of pain: abnormal expression of sodium channel genes and its contributions to hyperexcitability of primary sensory neurons
Waxman S. The molecular pathophysiology of pain: abnormal expression of sodium channel genes and its contributions to hyperexcitability of primary sensory neurons. Pain 1999, 82: s133-s140. PMID: 10491982, DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3959(99)00147-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPrimary sensory neuronsSodium channel gene expressionChannel gene expressionSodium channel expressionDRG neuronsSensory neuronsSodium channelsAxonal injuryChannel expressionSmall dorsal root ganglion neuronsAbnormal expressionDorsal root ganglion neuronsMolecular pathophysiologySodium channel geneAbnormal burst activityMultiple sodium channelsSNS/PN3Inflammatory pain modelChannel genesDistinct sodium channelsSodium current expressionInflammatory painNerve injuryPain modelGanglion neurons