Epigenetics of Chronic Pain

Epigenetics of Chronic Pain, Volume Nine, presents comprehensive information on the role of epigenetics in chronic pain sensitivity, providing a detailed, but accessible, view of the field from basic principles, to clinical application. Leading international researchers discuss essential mechanisms of chronic pain epigenetics, including the molecular processes of chromatin remodeling, histone modifications, and the microRNAs and noncoding RNAs involved in regulating genes tied to pain sensitivity. The influence of epigenetics in inflammatory, neuropathic, visceral and other pain models is examined, with data derived from epigenetic studies on peripheral and central mechanisms of pain sensitivity in animal models and clinical cases studies. The studies and case examples cited highlight therapeutic pathways of significance and next steps for researchers to develop epigenetic-based treatments for chronic pain. In recent years, epigenetic regulation of gene expression has been shown to play a central role in managing human pain sensitivity. Findings show that expression of many genes critical to increases or decreases in pain sensitivity are indeed regulated by DNA methylation and its enzymes, histone-involved chromatin remodeling, and noncoding RNAs, mainly microRNAs.

Dr. Guang Bai is interested in the genetic regulation of NMDA receptor genes during the brain development. His previous and ongoing work includes isolation and analysis of the NR1 and NR2A promoters, and growth factor regulation and developmental activation of these promoters. He is also searching for key cis-elements and trans-factors important for developmental expression of the NMDA receptor genes. Dr. Guang Bai has published more than 30 papers in peer reviewed journals, including Biological Chemistry, Nature Neuroscience, Neurochemistry, Cell Physiology, Pain, and Molecular Pain. Dr. Ke Ren studies the mechanisms that underlie the development and maintenance of persistent pain and hyperalgesia. He employs a wide range of techniques including behavioral pharmacology, focal brain microinjection and stimulation, electrophysiology, immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization histochemistry, RNA and protein analysis using Western and Northern blots, and RT-PCR. Ongoing projects include research into CNS modulation of persistent pain and spinal plasticity, mechanisms of persistent temporomandibular, and excitatory amino acid receptors and persistent pain. Dr. Ren has published more 160 peer reviewed publication in such peer reviewed journals as Experimental Medicine, European Journal of Pain, Molecular Pain, Molecular Neurobiology, and the European Journal of Pharmacology