Rapid developments in genomics research have increased expectations for identifying vulnerability genes involved in the pathophysiology of functional gastrointestinal disorders. However, the study of genetics in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is in its infancy and has been hampered by a focus on clinical phenotype association studies. Furthermore, current research strategies have largely overlooked sex of the subject as an important variable despite the fact that sex can modify both penetrance and expressivity of a wide variety of complex traits. The overall goal of this proposal is to provide new information on sex-specific genetic influences involved in the pathophysiology of IBS pain. The findings should have significant implications for translational research and the development of personalized treatments, thereby improving health care for IBS patients. The candidate has a long-standing interest in sex-related biological differences and her current research has focused on altered central nervous system (CNS) functions in IBS pain. The candidate's long-term goals include becoming established in the field of genomics research. The career development plan will focus on developing a broad-based and in depth understanding of genetics and intermediate neurobiological phenotypes as they relate to sex-specific models of IBS pain through didactic and mentored training. The candidate will be mentored by Dr. Emeran Mayer, Director of the UCLA Center for Neurobiology of Stress (a translational research center co-funded by NIDDK, the Office of Women's Health and NCCAM) and will have access to its wealth of resources. In addition, the candidate has enlisted as co-mentors UCLA faculty members with expertise in genetics and systems biology (Dr. Steve Horvath), genetic association studies (Dr. Jeanette Papp), phenomics (Dr. Robert Bilder), fMRI methodology, including imaging genetics approaches (Dr. Susan Bookheimer), and psychophysiological mechanisms of pain (Dr. Bruce Naliboff). The proposed research plan is designed to identify common and sexually dimorphic genes involved in the pathophysiology of IBS pain (Aim 1), and to investigate sex differences in the association between genetic variations and altered CNS function related to pain modulation in IBS patients using both fMRI and psychophysiological measures (Aim 2). Genes contributing to visceral pain sensitivity will be identified using a new experimental design to examine sex- specific alterations in gene expression during a visceral pain challenge (Project 1) and using an advanced modeling technique to investigate sex-specific genetic architecture and association with visceral pain sensitivity (Project 2). The influence of sexually dimorphic genes on pain-related brain network activity and descending pain inhibition will be examined using fMRI (Project 3) and the nociceptive lower limb flexion reflex (Project 4). Together, the proposed studies will enhance knowledge of genetic and neural pathways influencing pain sensitivity in IBS and enable the candidate to propose new testable hypotheses regarding mechanisms of IBS pain, in particular regarding differential treatment approaches based on pathophysiology and sex differences.

Public Health Relevance

The long-term goal of this proposal is to improve treatment strategies for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), by providing a better understanding of sex differences in the genetic contribution to IBS pathophysiology. Such differences have important implications for tailoring treatments to individuals and are expected to stimulate the field of personalized medicine.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
5K01DK085133-04
Application #
8611917
Study Section
Digestive Diseases and Nutrition C Subcommittee (DDK)
Program Officer
Podskalny, Judith M,
Project Start
2011-03-25
Project End
2016-02-29
Budget Start
2014-03-01
Budget End
2015-02-28
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Los Angeles
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
90095
Gupta, Arpana; Mayer, Emeran A; Fling, Connor et al. (2017) Sex-based differences in brain alterations across chronic pain conditions. J Neurosci Res 95:604-616
Pribic, T; Kilpatrick, L; Ciccantelli, B et al. (2017) Brain networks associated with cognitive and hedonic responses to a meal. Neurogastroenterol Motil 29:
Labus, Jennifer S; Naliboff, Bruce; Kilpatrick, Lisa et al. (2016) Pain and Interoception Imaging Network (PAIN): A multimodal, multisite, brain-imaging repository for chronic somatic and visceral pain disorders. Neuroimage 124:1232-7
Gupta, Arpana; Labus, Jennifer; Kilpatrick, Lisa A et al. (2016) Interactions of early adversity with stress-related gene polymorphisms impact regional brain structure in females. Brain Struct Funct 221:1667-79
Hong, J-Y; Naliboff, B; Labus, J S et al. (2016) Altered brain responses in subjects with irritable bowel syndrome during cued and uncued pain expectation. Neurogastroenterol Motil 28:127-38
Mayer, Emeran A; Gupta, Arpana; Kilpatrick, Lisa A et al. (2015) Imaging brain mechanisms in chronic visceral pain. Pain 156 Suppl 1:S50-63
Kilpatrick, Lisa A; Mayer, Emeran A; Labus, Jennifer S et al. (2015) Serotonin Transporter Gene Polymorphism Modulates Activity and Connectivity within an Emotional Arousal Network of Healthy Men during an Aversive Visceral Stimulus. PLoS One 10:e0123183
Gupta, Arpana; Rapkin, Andrea J; Gill, Zafar et al. (2015) Disease-related differences in resting-state networks: a comparison between localized provoked vulvodynia, irritable bowel syndrome, and healthy control subjects. Pain 156:809-19
Kilpatrick, Lisa A; Istrin, Joshua J; Gupta, Arpana et al. (2015) Sex commonalities and differences in the relationship between resilient personality and the intrinsic connectivity of the salience and default mode networks. Biol Psychol 112:107-15
Gupta, Arpana; Kilpatrick, Lisa; Labus, Jennifer et al. (2014) Early adverse life events and resting state neural networks in patients with chronic abdominal pain: evidence for sex differences. Psychosom Med 76:404-12

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