Yang Y

Resilience to Pain: A Peripheral Component Identified Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Dynamic Clamp.

Pain is a complex process that involves both detection in the peripheral nervous system and perception in the CNS. Individual-to-individual differences in pain are well documented, but not well understood. Here we capitalized on inherited erythromelalgia (IEM), a well characterized human genetic model of chronic pain, and studied a unique family containing related IEM subjects with the same disease-causing Na1.7 mutation, which is known to make dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons hyperexcitable, but different pain profiles (affected son with severe pain, affected mother with moderate pain, and an unaffected father). We show, first, that, at least in some cases, relative sensitivity to pain can be modeled in subject-specific induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived sensory neurons ; second, that, in some cases, mechanisms operating in peripheral sensory neurons contribute to interindividual differences in pain; and third, using whole exome sequencing (WES) and dynamic clamp, we show that it is possible to pinpoint a specific variant of another gene, in this particular kindred, that modulates the excitability of iPSC-derived sensory neurons in this family. While different gene variants may modulate DRG neuron excitability and thereby contribute to interindividual differences in pain in other families, this study shows that subject-specific iPSCs can be used to model interindividual differences in pain. We further provide proof-of-principle that iPSCs, WES, and dynamic clamp can be used to investigate peripheral mechanisms and pinpoint specific gene variants that modulate pain signaling and contribute to interindividual differences in pain. Individual-to-individual differences in pain are well documented, but not well understood. In this study, we show, first, that, at least in some cases, relative sensitivity to pain can be modeled in subject-specific induced pluripotent stem cell-derived sensory neurons ; second, that, in some cases, mechanisms operating in peripheral sensory neurons contribute to interindividual differences in pain; and third, using whole exome sequencing and dynamic clamp, we show that it is possible to pinpoint a specific gene variant that modulates pain signaling and contributes to interindividual differences in pain.

Reverse pharmacogenomics: carbamazepine normalizes activation and attenuates thermal hyperexcitability of sensory neurons due to Na 1.7 mutation I234T.

Pharmacotherapy for pain currently involves trial and error. A previous study on inherited erythromelalgia (a genetic model of neuropathic pain due to mutations in the sodium channel, Na 1.7) used genomics, structural modelling and biophysical and pharmacological analyses to guide pharmacotherapy and showed that carbamazepine normalizes voltage dependence of activation of the Na 1.7-S241T mutant channel, reducing pain in patients carrying this mutation. However, whether this approach is applicable to other Na channel mutants is still unknown. We used structural modelling, patch clamp and multi-electrode array (MEA) recording to assess the effects of carbamazepine on Na 1.7-I234T mutant channels and on the firing of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) sensory neurons expressing these mutant channels. In a reverse engineering approach, structural modelling showed that the I234T mutation is located in atomic proximity to the carbamazepine-responsive S241T mutation and that activation of Na 1.7-I234T mutant channels, from patients who are known to respond to carbamazepine, is partly normalized with a clinically relevant concentration (30 μM) of carbamazepine. There was significantly higher firing in intact sensory neurons expressing Na 1.7-I234T channels, compared with neurons expressing the normal channels (Na 1.7-WT). Pre-incubation with 30 μM carbamazepine also significantly reduced the firing of intact DRG sensory neurons expressing Na 1.7-I234T channels. Although the expected use-dependent inhibition of Na 1.7-WT channels by carbamazepine was confirmed, carbamazepine did not enhance use-dependent inhibition of Na 1.7-I234T mutant channels. These results support the utility of a pharmacogenomic approach to treatment of pain in patients carrying sodium channel variants. This article is part of a themed section on Recent Advances in Targeting Ion Channels to Treat Chronic Pain. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.12/issuetoc.

Chemical lumbar sympathectomy in the treatment of recalcitrant erythromelalgia.

Erythromelalgia is highly disabling and treatment is often very challenging. There have been solitary case reports that it might benefit from sympathectomy. This study sought to evaluate the short-term and long-term efficacy of chemical lumbar sympathectomy (CLS) for treatment of recalcitrant erythromelalgia and try to identify a CLS-responsive subset. Patients with recalcitrant erythromelalgia were recruited from a tertiary hospital over a 10-year period. L3 to L4 CLS was performed using 5% phenol. The pain intensity score (visual analog scale [VAS] 0-10) was assessed before CLS and at 1 day, 1 week, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after CLS. A VAS decrease of 90%-100% is defined as complete response, 60%-89% as major partial response. Relapse was defined by a return of a VAS score of 5 or higher. SCN9A gene mutations were screened. Thirteen patients were enrolled, with a median age of 15 years. The mean follow-up was 6.2 ± 3.8 years. SCN9A gene mutation was identified in five patients having family histories. The VAS was 8.2 ± 2.0 at baseline; it decreased to 4.9 ± 2.7 at 1 day and 1.9 ± 3.0 at 1 week after CLS. Nine patients (69.2%) achieved complete response at 1 week after CLS, including three patients with SCN9A gene mutation. Among the three complete response patients having the gene mutation, two reverted to major partial response and one relapsed at 2 years after CLS. Among the six complete response patients without mutation, five maintained complete response and one relapsed. Among the four patients who did not achieve complete response, one patient died at 3.5 months and one patient had an amputation performed at 4 months after CLS. CLS provides a valid option for the treatment of recalcitrant erythromelalgia. It takes about 1 week to achieve full efficacy. Relapse may occur, especially in patients with an SCN9A gene mutation.

Gain-of-function mutation of a voltage-gated sodium channel Na1.7 associated with peripheral pain and impaired limb development.

Dominant mutations in voltage-gated sodium channel Na1.7 cause inherited erythromelalgia, a debilitating pain disorder characterized by severe burning pain and redness of the distal extremities. Na1.7 is preferentially expressed within peripheral sensory and sympathetic neurons. Here, we describe a novel Na1.7 mutation in an 11-year-old male with underdevelopment of the limbs, recurrent attacks of burning pain with erythema, and swelling in his feet and hands. Frequency and duration of the episodes gradually increased with age, and relief by cooling became less effective. The patient's sister had short stature and reported similar complaints of erythema and burning pain, but with less intensity. Genetic analysis revealed a novel missense mutation in Na1.7 (2567G>C; p.Gly856Arg) in both siblings. The G856R mutation, located within the DII/S4-S5 linker of the channel, substitutes a highly conserved non-polar glycine by a positively charged arginine. Voltage-clamp analysis of G856R currents revealed that the mutation hyperpolarized (-11.2 mV) voltage dependence of activation and slowed deactivation but did not affect fast inactivation, compared with wild-type channels. A mutation of Gly-856 to aspartic acid was previously found in a family with limb pain and limb underdevelopment, and its functional assessment showed hyperpolarized activation, depolarized fast inactivation, and increased ramp current. Structural modeling using the Rosetta computational modeling suite provided structural clues to the divergent effects of the substitution of Gly-856 by arginine and aspartic acid. Although the proexcitatory changes in gating properties of G856R contribute to the pathophysiology of inherited erythromelalgia, the link to limb underdevelopment is not well understood.

Network topology of NaV1.7 mutations in sodium channel-related painful disorders.

Gain-of-function mutations in SCN9A gene that encodes the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.7 have been associated with a wide spectrum of painful syndromes in humans including inherited erythromelalgia, paroxysmal extreme pain disorder and small fibre neuropathy. These mutations change the biophysical properties of NaV1.7 channels leading to hyperexcitability of dorsal root ganglion nociceptors and pain symptoms. There is a need for better understanding of how gain-of-function mutations alter the atomic structure of Nav1.7. We used homology modeling to build an atomic model of NaV1.7 and a network-based theoretical approach, which can predict interatomic interactions and connectivity arrangements, to investigate how pain-related NaV1.7 mutations may alter specific interatomic bonds and cause connectivity rearrangement, compared to benign variants and polymorphisms. For each amino acid substitution, we calculated the topological parameters betweenness centrality (B ), degree (D), clustering coefficient (CC ), closeness (C ), and eccentricity (E ), and calculated their variation (Δ  = mutant -WT ). Pathogenic NaV1.7 mutations showed significantly higher variation of |ΔB | compared to benign variants and polymorphisms. Using the cut-off value ±0.26 calculated by receiver operating curve analysis, we found that ΔB correctly differentiated pathogenic NaV1.7 mutations from variants not causing biophysical abnormalities (nABN) and homologous SNPs (hSNPs) with 76% sensitivity and 83% specificity. Our in-silico analyses predict that pain-related pathogenic NaV1.7 mutations may affect the network topological properties of the protein and suggest |ΔB | value as a potential in-silico marker.

Pharmacotherapy for Pain in a Family With Inherited Erythromelalgia Guided by Genomic Analysis and Functional Profiling.

There is a need for more effective pharmacotherapy for chronic pain, including pain in inherited erythromelalgia (IEM) in which gain-of-function mutations of sodium channel NaV1.7 make dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons hyperexcitable. To determine whether pain in IEM can be attenuated via pharmacotherapy guided by genomic analysis and functional profiling. Pain in 2 patients with IEM due to the NaV1.7 S241T mutation, predicted by structural modeling and functional analysis to be responsive to carbamazepine, was assessed in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted from September 2014 to April 21, 2015. Functional magnetic resonance imaging assessed patterns of brain activity associated with pain during treatment with placebo or carbamazepine. Multielectrode array technology was used to assess the effect of carbamazepine on firing of DRG neurons carrying S241T mutant channels. Behavioral assessment of pain; functional magnetic resonance imaging; and assessment of firing in DRG neurons carrying S241T mutant channels. This study included 2 patients from the same family with IEM and the S241T NaV1.7 mutation. We showed that, as predicted by molecular modeling, thermodynamic analysis, and functional profiling, carbamazepine attenuated pain in patients with IEM due to the S241T NaV1.7 mutation. Patient 1 reported a reduction in mean time in pain (TIP) per day during the 15-day maintenance period, from 424 minutes while taking placebo to 231.9 minutes while taking carbamazepine (400 mg/day), and a reduction in total TIP over the 15-day maintenance period, from 6360 minutes while taking placebo to 3015 minutes while taking carbamazepine. Patient 2 reported a reduction in mean TIP per day during the maintenance period, from 61 minutes while taking placebo to 9.1 minutes while taking carbamazepine (400 mg then 200 mg/day), and a reduction in total TIP, from 915 minutes while taking placebo over the 15-day maintenance period to 136 minutes while taking carbamazepine. Patient 1 reported a reduction of mean episode duration, from 615 minutes while taking placebo to 274.1 minutes while taking carbamazepine, while patient 2 reported a reduction of the mean episode duration from 91.5 minutes while taking placebo to 45.3 minutes while taking carbamazepine. Patient 1, who had a history of night awakenings from pain, reported 101 awakenings owing to pain while taking placebo during the maintenance period and 32 awakenings while taking carbamazepine. Attenuation of pain was paralleled by a shift in brain activity from valuation and pain areas to primary and secondary somatosensory, motor, and parietal attention areas. Firing of DRG neurons expressing the S241T NaV1.7 mutant channel in response to physiologically relevant thermal stimuli was reduced by carbamazepine. Our results demonstrate that pharmacotherapy guided by genomic analysis, molecular modeling, and functional profiling can attenuate neuropathic pain in patients carrying the S241T mutation.

Nav1.7-A1632G Mutation from a Family with Inherited Erythromelalgia: Enhanced Firing of Dorsal Root Ganglia Neurons Evoked by Thermal Stimuli.

Voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.7 is a central player in human pain. Mutations in Nav1.7 produce several pain syndromes, including inherited erythromelalgia (IEM), a disorder in which gain-of-function mutations render dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons hyperexcitable. Although patients with IEM suffer from episodes of intense burning pain triggered by warmth, the effects of increased temperature on DRG neurons expressing mutant Nav1.7 channels have not been well documented. Here, using structural modeling, voltage-clamp, current-clamp, and multielectrode array recordings, we have studied a newly identified Nav1.7 mutation, Ala1632Gly, from a multigeneration family with IEM. Structural modeling suggests that Ala1632 is a molecular hinge and that the Ala1632Gly mutation may affect channel gating. Voltage-clamp recordings revealed that the Nav1.7-A1632G mutation hyperpolarizes activation and depolarizes fast-inactivation, both gain-of-function attributes at the channel level. Whole-cell current-clamp recordings demonstrated increased spontaneous firing, lower current threshold, and enhanced evoked firing in rat DRG neurons expressing Nav1.7-A1632G mutant channels. Multielectrode array recordings further revealed that intact rat DRG neurons expressing Nav1.7-A1632G mutant channels are more active than those expressing Nav1.7 WT channels. We also showed that physiologically relevant thermal stimuli markedly increase the mean firing frequencies and the number of active rat DRG neurons expressing Nav1.7-A1632G mutant channels, whereas the same thermal stimuli only increase these parameters slightly in rat DRG neurons expressing Nav1.7 WT channels. The response of DRG neurons expressing Nav1.7-A1632G mutant channels upon increase in temperature suggests a cellular basis for warmth-triggered pain in IEM. Inherited erythromelalgia (IEM), a severe pain syndrome characterized by episodes of intense burning pain triggered by warmth, is caused by mutations in sodium channel Nav1.7, which are preferentially expressed in sensory and sympathetic neurons. More than 20 gain-of-function Nav1.7 mutations have been identified from IEM patients, but the question of how warmth triggers episodes of pain in IEM has not been well addressed. Combining multielectrode array, voltage-clamp, and current-clamp recordings, we assessed a newly identified IEM mutation (Nav1.7-A1632G) from a multigeneration family. Our data demonstrate gain-of-function attributes at the channel level and differential effects of physiologically relevant thermal stimuli on the excitability of DRG neurons expressing mutant and WT Nav1.7 channels, suggesting a cellular mechanism for warmth-triggered pain episodes in IEM patients.

Molecular architecture of a sodium channel S6 helix: radial tuning of the voltage-gated sodium channel 1.7 activation gate.

In-frame deletion mutation (Del-L955) in NaV1.7 sodium channel from a kindred with erythromelalgia hyperpolarizes activation. Del-L955 twists the S6 helix, displacing the Phe960 activation gate. Replacement of Phe960 at the correct helical position depolarizes activation. Radial tuning of the activation gate is critical to the activation of NaV1.7 channel. Structural modeling guided electrophysiology reveals the functional importance of radial tuning of the S6 segment. Voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channels are membrane proteins that consist of 24 transmembrane segments organized into four homologous domains and are essential for action potential generation and propagation. Although the S6 helices of NaV channels line the ion-conducting pore and participate in channel activation, their functional architecture is incompletely understood. Our recent studies show that a naturally occurring in-frame deletion mutation (Del-L955) of NaV1.7 channel, identified in individuals with a severe inherited pain syndrome (inherited erythromelalgia) causes a substantial hyperpolarizing shift of channel activation. Here we took advantage of this deletion mutation to understand the role of the S6 helix in the channel activation. Based on the recently published structure of a bacterial NaV channel (NaVAb), we modeled the WT and Del-L955 channel. Our structural model showed that Del-L955 twists the DII/S6 helix, shifting location and radial orientation of the activation gate residue (Phe(960)). Hypothesizing that these structural changes produce the shift of channel activation of Del-L955 channels, we restored a phenylalanine in wild-type orientation by mutating Ser(961) (Del-L955/S961F), correcting activation by ∼10 mV. Correction of the displaced Phe(960) (F960S) together with introduction of the rescuing activation gate residue (S961F) produced an additional ∼6-mV restoration of activation of the mutant channel. A simple point mutation in the absence of a twist (L955A) did not produce a radial shift and did not hyperpolarize activation. Our results demonstrate the functional importance of radial tuning of the sodium channel S6 helix for the channel activation.

A new Nav1.7 mutation in an erythromelalgia patient.

Gain-of-function missense mutations of SCN9A gene, which encodes voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.7, alter channel's biophysical properties causing painful disorders which are refractory to pharmacotherapy in the vast majority of patients. Here we report a novel SCN9A mutation (ca.T3947C) in exon 20 in a 9 year old patient, not present in 200 ethnically-matched control alleles; the mutation substitutes the invariant valine 1316 residue within DIII/S5 by alanine (V1316A). Voltage-clamp studies show that Nav1.7 V1316A mutation hyperpolarizes activation (-9 mV), and enhances response to ramp stimuli (3-fold), changes that are predicted to cause hyperexcitability of DRG neurons. V1316A also hyperpolarizes steady-state slow-inactivation (-9.9 mV), which is predicted to attenuate the effect of this mutation on DRG neuron firing. These changes are consistent with previously characterized Erytheromelalgia associated mutations of Nav1.7.

Structural modelling and mutant cycle analysis predict pharmacoresponsiveness of a Na(V)1.7 mutant channel.

Sodium channel Na(V)1.7 is critical for human pain signalling. Gain-of-function mutations produce pain syndromes including inherited erythromelalgia, which is usually resistant to pharmacotherapy, but carbamazepine normalizes activation of Na(V)1.7-V400M mutant channels from a family with carbamazepine-responsive inherited erythromelalgia. Here we show that structural modelling and thermodynamic analysis predict pharmacoresponsiveness of another mutant channel (S241T) that is located 159 amino acids distant from V400M. Structural modelling reveals that Na(v)1.7-S241T is ~2.4 Å apart from V400M in the folded channel, and thermodynamic analysis demonstrates energetic coupling of V400M and S241T during activation. Atomic proximity and energetic coupling are paralleled by pharmacological coupling, as carbamazepine (30 μM) depolarizes S214T activation, as previously reported for V400M. Pharmacoresponsiveness of S241T to carbamazepine was further evident at a cellular level, where carbamazepine normalized the hyperexcitability of dorsal root ganglion neurons expressing S241T. We suggest that this approach might identify variants that confer enhanced pharmacoresponsiveness on a variety of channels.

Can robots patch-clamp as well as humans? Characterization of a novel sodium channel mutation.

Ion channel missense mutations cause disorders of excitability by changing channel biophysical properties. As an increasing number of new naturally occurring mutations have been identified, and the number of other mutations produced by molecular approaches such as in situ mutagenesis has increased, the need for functional analysis by patch-clamp has become rate limiting. Here we compare a patch-clamp robot using planar-chip technology with human patch-clamp in a functional assessment of a previously undescribed Nav1.7 sodium channel mutation, S211P, which causes erythromelalgia. This robotic patch-clamp device can increase throughput (the number of cells analysed per day) by 3- to 10-fold. Both modes of analysis show that the mutation hyperpolarizes activation voltage dependence (8 mV by manual profiling, 11 mV by robotic profiling), alters steady-state fast inactivation so that it requires an additional Boltzmann function for a second fraction of total current (approximately 20% manual, approximately 40% robotic), and enhances slow inactivation (hyperpolarizing shift--15 mV by human,--13 mV robotic). Manual patch-clamping demonstrated slower deactivation and enhanced (approximately 2-fold) ramp response for the mutant channel while robotic recording did not, possibly due to increased temperature and reduced signal-to-noise ratio on the robotic platform. If robotic profiling is used to screen ion channel mutations, we recommend that each measurement or protocol be validated by initial comparison to manual recording. With this caveat, we suggest that, if results are interpreted cautiously, robotic patch-clamp can be used with supervision and subsequent confirmation from human physiologists to facilitate the initial profiling of a variety of electrophysiological parameters of ion channel mutations.

A case of primary erythermalgia with prurigo.

Early- and late-onset inherited erythromelalgia: genotype-phenotype correlation.

Inherited erythromelalgia (IEM), an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by severe burning pain in response to mild warmth, has been shown to be caused by gain-of-function mutations of sodium channel Na(v)1.7 which is preferentially expressed within dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and sympathetic ganglion neurons. Almost all physiologically characterized cases of IEM have been associated with onset in early childhood. Here, we report the voltage-clamp and current-clamp analysis of a new Na(v)1.7 mutation, Q10R, in a patient with clinical onset of erythromelalgia in the second decade. We show that the mutation in this patient hyperpolarizes activation by only -5.3 mV, a smaller shift than seen with early-onset erythromelalgia mutations, but similar to that of I136V, another mutation that is linked to delayed-onset IEM. Using current-clamp, we show that the expression of Q10R induces hyperexcitability in DRG neurons, but produces an increase in excitability that is smaller than the change produced by I848T, an early-onset erythromelalgia mutation. Our analysis suggests a genotype-phenotype relationship at three levels (clinical, cellular and molecular/ion channel), with mutations that produce smaller effects on sodium channel activation being associated with a smaller degree of DRG neuron excitability and later onset of clinical signs.

Erythromelalgia mutation L823R shifts activation and inactivation of threshold sodium channel Nav1.7 to hyperpolarized potentials.

Erythromelalgia (also termed erythermalgia) is a neuropathic pain syndrome, characterized by severe burning pain combined with redness in the extremities, triggered by mild warmth. The inherited form of erythromelalgia (IEM) has recently been linked to mutations in voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.7, which is expressed in peripheral nociceptors. Here, we used whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings in HEK293 cells to characterize the IEM mutation L823R, which introduces an additional positive charge into the S4 voltage sensor of domain II. The L823R mutation produces an approximately 15mV hyperpolarizing shift in the midpoint of activation and also affects the activation slope factor. Closing of the channel from the open state (deactivation) is slowed, increasing the likelihood of the channel remaining in the open state. The L823R mutation induces a approximately 10mV hyperpolarizing shift in fast-inactivation. L823R is the only naturally-occurring IEM mutation studied thus far to shift fast-inactivation to more negative potentials. We conclude that introduction of an additional charge into the S4 segment of domain II of Nav1.7 leads to a pronounced hyperpolarizing shift of activation, a change that is expected to increase nociceptor excitability despite the hyperpolarizing shift in fast-inactivation, which is unique among the IEM mutations.

Mexiletine-responsive erythromelalgia due to a new Na(v)1.7 mutation showing use-dependent current fall-off.

Inherited erythromelalgia (IEM), characterized by episodic burning pain and erythema of the extremities, is produced by gain-of-function mutations in sodium channel Na(v)1.7, which is preferentially expressed in nociceptive and sympathetic neurons. Most patients do not respond to pharmacotherapy, although occasional reports document patients as showing partial relief with lidocaine or mexiletine. A 7-year-old girl, with a two-year history of symmetric burning pain and erythema in her hands and feet, was diagnosed with erythromelalgia. Treatment with mexiletine reduced the number and severity of pain episodes. We report here a new IEM Na(v)1.7 mutation in this patient, and its response to mexiletine. SCN9A exons from the proband were amplified and sequenced. We identified a single nucleotide substitution (T2616G) in exon 15, not present in 200 ethnically-matched control alleles, which substitutes valine 872 by glycine (V872G) within DII/S5. Whole-cell patch-clamp analysis of wild-type and mutant Na(v)1.7 channels in mammalian cells show that V872G shifts activation by -10 mV, slows deactivation, and generates larger ramp currents. We observed a stronger use-dependent fall-off in current following exposure to mexiletine for V872G compared to wild-type channels. These observations suggest that some patients with IEM may show a favorable response to mexiletine due to a use-dependent effect on mutant Na(v)1.7 channels. Continued relief from pain, even after mexiletine was discontinued in this patient, might suggest that early treatment may slow the progression of the disease.

Genetics and molecular pathophysiology of Na(v)1.7-related pain syndromes.

SCN9A, the gene which encodes voltage-gated sodium channel Na(v)1.7, is located on human chromosome 2 within a cluster of other members of this gene family. Na(v)1.7 is present at high levels in most peripheral nociceptive neurons in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and in sympathetic neurons. In addition to its focal tissue-specific expression, Na(v)1.7 is distinguished by its ability to amplify small depolarizations, thus acting as a threshold channel and modulating excitability. Dominantly inherited gain-of-function mutations in SCN9A have been linked to two familial painful disorders: inherited erythromelalgia (IEM) and paroxysmal extreme pain disorder (PEPD). One set of mutations leads to severe episodes of pain in the feet and hands in patients with IEM, and a different set of mutations causes pain in a perirectal, periocular, and mandibular distribution in patients with PEPD. These mutations allow mutant channels to activate in response to weaker stimuli, or to remain open longer in response to stimulation. The introduction of mutant channels into DRG neurons alters electrogenesis and renders these primary sensory neurons hyperexcitable. Mutant Na(v)1.7 channels lower the threshold for single action potentials and increase the number of action potentials that neurons fire in response to suprathreshold stimuli. In contrast, recessively inherited loss-of-function mutations in SCN9A, which cause a loss of function of Na(v)1.7 in patients, lead to indifference to pain with sparing of motor and cognitive abilities. The central role of Na(v)1.7 in these disorders, and the apparently limited consequences of loss of this channel in humans make it an attractive target for treatment of pain.

A case of primary erythermalgia, wintry hypothermia and encephalopathy.

Primary erythermalgia is a rare neuropathy characterized by attacks of burning pain and redness in the extremities in response to warm stimuli. We describe here a boy with erythermalgia whose painful attacks began in infancy. We found a novel mutation of SCN9A, which is a responsible gene for primary erythermalgia in this case. In his teens, he developed wintry hypothermia with resultant neurological dysfunction and recurrent pneumonia. During the course of pneumonia, he had transient encephalopaty with a reversible lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum. In addition to excessive cooling, a defect in central thermoregulation may have caused hypothermia in this patient.

Temperature dependence of erythromelalgia mutation L858F in sodium channel Nav1.7.

The disabling chronic pain syndrome erythromelalgia (also termed erythermalgia) is characterized by attacks of burning pain in the extremities induced by warmth. Pharmacological treatment is often ineffective, but the pain can be alleviated by cooling of the limbs. Inherited erythromelalgia has recently been linked to mutations in the gene SCN9A, which encodes the voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.7. Nav1.7 is preferentially expressed in most nociceptive DRG neurons and in sympathetic ganglion neurons. It has recently been shown that several disease-causing erythromelalgia mutations alter channel-gating behavior in a manner that increases DRG neuron excitability. Here we tested the effects of temperature on gating properties of wild type Nav1.7 and mutant L858F channels. Whole-cell voltage-clamp measurements on wild type or L858F channels expressed in HEK293 cells revealed that cooling decreases current density, slows deactivation and increases ramp currents for both mutant and wild type channels. However, cooling differentially shifts the midpoint of steady-state activation in a depolarizing direction for L858F but not for wild type channels. The cooling-dependent shift of the activation midpoint of L858F to more positive potentials brings the threshold of activation of the mutant channels closer to that of wild type Nav1.7 at lower temperatures, and is likely to contribute to the alleviation of painful symptoms upon cooling in affected limbs in patients with this erythromelalgia mutation.

Mutation hotspots of SCN9A in primary erythermalgia.