DNA Methylation and Chronic Low Back Pain
Author Information
Author(s): Maral Tajerian, Sebastian Alvarado, Magali Millecamps, Thomas Dashwood, Kathleen M Anderson, Lisbet Haglund, Jean Ouellet, Moshe Szyf, Laura S Stone
Primary Institution: McGill University
Hypothesis
DNA methylation down-regulates SPARC expression in chronic low back pain in pre-clinical models and in patients with chronic LBP.
Conclusion
This study provides the first evidence that DNA methylation of a single gene plays a role in chronic pain in humans and animal models.
Supporting Evidence
- Aging mice develop anatomical and behavioral signs of disc degeneration and back pain.
- Human subjects with back pain exhibit signs of disc degeneration and increased methylation of the SPARC promoter.
- Methylation of the SPARC promoter silences its activity in transient transfection assays.
Takeaway
The study found that changes in DNA can affect a gene related to back pain, which might help us understand and treat chronic pain better.
Methodology
The study involved both mouse models and human subjects, examining the relationship between DNA methylation of the SPARC gene and chronic low back pain.
Limitations
The quality of RNA derived from human IVDs limited accurate measurement of SPARC mRNA.
Participant Demographics
Patients with severe chronic low back pain scheduled for spinal fusion surgery and healthy pain-free controls.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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