Acute pain and chronic pain are significant complications in many human diseases, prime examples being cancer, diabetic disorders, and traumatic injury. In preliminary studies, my colleagues and I used high throughput in situ hybridization to develop a genome-scale expression map of transcription factors in developing mouse embryos. We then used this map, in combination with targeted gene disruption methods, to identify key proteins for specification of nociceptive/pain sensory neurons (nociceptors). This work led to identification of the transcription factor Runxl as a pivotal agent in development of nociceptors for thermal and neuropathic pain. The research described here builds upon this preliminary work. The goal of our research over the next five years is to define the molecular mechanisms that allow a single transcription factor (Runxl) to control the formation of a large cohort of nociceptors and the assembly of specific neural circuits for the perception of pain. We have four specific Aims.
Aim 1 is to determine how Runxl expression controls the segregation of two major nociceptor subtypes, non-peptidergic versus peptidergic.
Aim 2 is to address how Runxl regulates the expression of nociceptive ion channels and receptors, with the goal of understanding the logic underlying the generation of tremendous diversity within the non-peptidergic population of nociceptors.
Aim 3 focuses on the assembly of pain circuits. Here we want to determine how Runxl controls the innovation of non-peptidergic nociceptors to specific peripheral and central targets.
Aim 4 is to determine how distinct Runxl-dependent programs contribute to behavioral response to noxious stimuli. For each of these four aims, we have preliminary data that leads to a testable hypothesis. The predictions of these hypotheses will be tested by using a panel of genetic tools that we have already developed. In the fullness of time, the work may lead to a novel biological target and therapeutic approach for pain management.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DE018025-05
Application #
8103210
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-MDCN-K (90))
Program Officer
Kusiak, John W
Project Start
2007-08-01
Project End
2012-06-30
Budget Start
2011-07-01
Budget End
2012-06-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$372,946
Indirect Cost
Name
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
076580745
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02215
Duan, Bo; Cheng, Longzhen; Ma, Qiufu (2018) Spinal Circuits Transmitting Mechanical Pain and Itch. Neurosci Bull 34:186-193
Zhang, Yan; Liu, Shenbin; Zhang, Yu-Qiu et al. (2018) Timing Mechanisms Underlying Gate Control by Feedforward Inhibition. Neuron 99:941-955.e4
Cheng, Longzhen; Duan, Bo; Huang, Tianwen et al. (2017) Identification of spinal circuits involved in touch-evoked dynamic mechanical pain. Nat Neurosci 20:804-814
Lou, Shan; Pan, Xiaoxin; Huang, Tianwen et al. (2015) Incoherent feed-forward regulatory loops control segregation of C-mechanoreceptors, nociceptors, and pruriceptors. J Neurosci 35:5317-29
Prescott, Steven A; Ma, Qiufu; De Koninck, Yves (2014) Normal and abnormal coding of somatosensory stimuli causing pain. Nat Neurosci 17:183-91
Chiu, Isaac M; Barrett, Lee B; Williams, Erika K et al. (2014) Transcriptional profiling at whole population and single cell levels reveals somatosensory neuron molecular diversity. Elife 3:
Ma, Qiufu (2014) Merkel cells are a touchy subject. Cell 157:531-3
Lou, Shan; Duan, Bo; Vong, Linh et al. (2013) Runx1 controls terminal morphology and mechanosensitivity of VGLUT3-expressing C-mechanoreceptors. J Neurosci 33:870-82
Yang, Fu-Chia; Tan, Taralyn; Huang, Tianwen et al. (2013) Genetic control of the segregation of pain-related sensory neurons innervating the cutaneous versus deep tissues. Cell Rep 5:1353-64
Ma, Qiufu (2012) Population coding of somatic sensations. Neurosci Bull 28:91-9

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