Optimising a difficult Nav1.8 cell line assay for automated patch-clamp screening

Poster Description

The TTX-resistant sodium channel Na_v1.8 is expressed in peripheral sensory nociceptors and is implicated in a range of inflammatory and visceral pain conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)¹. Na_v1.8 channel function in sensory neurons changes after injury or inflammation, with a redistribution from the soma to axons and upregulated activity through inflammatory mediators and signalling pathways. This is thought to underlie increased neuronal excitability and a greater role of Na_v1.8 currents in persistent, repetitive and ectopic action potential firing in inflammatory and visceral pain. Several gain-of-function mutations in Na_v1.8 have also been detected in human patients suffering from small fibre neuropathy (SFN), offering similar genetic target validation and clinical population for personalised medicine approaches seen with Na_v1.7 mutations in primary erythmelalgia, paroxysmal extreme pain and SFN patients.

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