# Investigating the contributions of voltage gated sodium channels to oxaliplatin induced neuropathy

> **NIH NIH R61** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS · 2022 · $23,211

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The goal of this project is to develop conformationally-specific novel biologicals to target and
functionally modulate voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels involved in pain signaling. Aim 1 will
use in silico structural modeling to design stable epitope mimetics for the voltage-sensing domain
IV of human NaV1.7, NaV1.8, and NaV1.9. In Aim 2, these purified protein fragments will be
expressed in E. coli, purified, and used to immunize llamas and mice for nanobody (nAb),
monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), rabbit-mAbs (R-mAbs), and single-chain variable fragments
(scFvs) production. Experiments in Aim 3 will analyze the pharmacological activity of mAbs
against human NaV channels in heterologous systems and pilot in vivo efficacy will be determined
in rats treated with the chemotherapeutic agent, oxaliplatin. Mr. Jose Marquez’s work will expand
upon the efforts outlined in Aim 3 to investigate how NaV expression and function is modified in
genetically identified nociceptors following acute and chronic oxaliplatin treatment, as well as an
expanded thermosensory behavioral analysis of Abs preclinical efficacy in mice. Since joining Dr.
Theanne Griffith’s laboratory as a graduate student in September of 2021, Mr. Marquez has
gained experience with several of the techniques outlined in Aim 3 of the parent grant and will
build upon this foundation by will addressing two basic questions regarding mechanisms of
sodium channel dysfunction during pain: 1) How does oxaliplatin treatment alter sodium channel
expression and function in genetically identifiable nociceptors, and 2) How does inhibiting sodium
channel function with biologics, such as Abs and nAbs, alter oxaliplatin induced thermal pain
behaviors? His research plan in combination with a carefully crafted career development plan will
position Mr. Marquez to be a competitive postdoctoral candidate in the pain field.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10621059
- **Project number:** 3R61NS127285-01S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS
- **Principal Investigator:** James S Trimmer
- **Activity code:** R61 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $23,211
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2022-09-21 → 2022-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10621059

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10621059, Investigating the contributions of voltage gated sodium channels to oxaliplatin induced neuropathy (3R61NS127285-01S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10621059. Licensed CC0.

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