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Papers of the Week


Papers: 22 Jun 2019 - 28 Jun 2019


Animal Studies


2019 Nov


Pain


160


11

Assessment of nociception and related quality of life measures in a porcine model of Neurofibromatosis type 1.

Authors

Khanna R, Moutal A, White KA, Chefdeville A, Negrao de Assis P, Cai S, Swier VJ, Bellampalli SS, Giunta MD, Darbro BW, Quelle DE, Sieren JC, Wallace MR, Rogers CS, Meyerholz DK, Weimer JM
Pain. 2019 Nov; 160(11):2473-2486.
PMID: 31246731.

Abstract

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder resulting from germline mutations in the NF1 gene, which encodes neurofibromin. Patients experience a variety of symptoms, but pain in the context of NF1 remains largely under-recognized. Here, we characterize nociceptive signaling and pain behaviors in a miniswine harboring a disruptive NF1 mutation (exon 42 deletion). We present the first characterization of pain-related behaviors in a pig model of NF1, identifying unchanged agitation scores, lower tactile thresholds (allodynia), and decreased response latencies to thermal laser stimulation (hyperalgesia) in NF1 (females only) pigs. Male NF1 pigs with tumors showed reduced sleep quality and increased resting, two health-related quality of life symptoms found to be comorbid in people with NF1 pain. We explore these phenotypes in relationship to suppression of the increased activity of the N-type voltage-gated calcium (CaV2.2) channel by pharmacological antagonism of phosphorylation of a regulatory protein – the collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2), a known interactor of neurofibromin, and by targeting the interface between the α subunit of CaV2.2 and the accessory β-subunits with small molecules. Our data supports the use of NF1 pigs as a large animal model for studying NF1-associated pain and for understanding the pathophysiology of NF1. Our findings demonstrate the translational potential of two small molecules in reversing ion channel remodeling seen in NF1. Interfering with CaV2.2, a clinically validated target for pain management, might also be a promising therapeutic strategy for NF1-related pain management.