What do the genes IL-10, SIRT6 and KCNK18 do?
Increased excitability of neural signalling plays a major role in pain intensity. The sensitivity of neural signalling, and hence the extent to which pain is felt, is controlled by a protein TRESK encoded by the gene KCNK18 [1]. Reduced activity of TRESK (as a result of decreased expression of the KCNK18 gene) results in increased pain intensity.
There are a number of factors such as inflammation and trauma that initiate and increase the intensity of acute and chronic pain. Recent studies have shown that inflammation and trauma increase sensitivity to pain by decreasing the expression of TRESK, the product of the KCNK18 gene [2][3] Therefore, increasing expression of genes that encode proteins that suppress inflammation (IL-10 and SIRT6) as well as TRESK (KCNK18) plays an important role in pain relief.
IL-10 has been proven to suppress pain as well as depression [4], particularly in response to disorders that are associated with auto-immune processes and trauma.
Inflammatory mediators are also released from endothelial cells. These cells line the walls of blood vessels and other tissues. When they are damaged, they release potent inflammatory agents. The release of inflammatory mediators from dysfunctional endothelial cells is controlled by a protein synthesised by the gene SIRT6. Studies have shown that decreased expression of SIRT6 leads to serious chronic inflammation. Inflammation resulting from dysfunctional endothelial cells is reduced when SIRT6 activity is increased, for review see Ref. 5.
Therefore, HoV-IL10/ST6/KC18 has been developed to provide relief to those suffering many different types of pain.
References
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KCNK18
- Tulleuda et al., TRESK channel contribution to nociceptive sensory neurons excitability: modulation by nerve injury. Mol Pain. 2011; 7, 30. doi: 10.1186/1744-8069-7-30.
- Marsh et al., Leak K+ channel mRNAs in dorsal root ganglia: Relation to inflammation and spontaneous pain behaviour. Mol. Cell. Neuroscience. 2012; 49, 375.
- Roque et al., Interleukin-10: A key cytokine in depression? Cardiovascular Psychiatry and Neurol. 2009, Article ID 187894, doi:10.1155/2009/187894.
- Lappas. Anti-inflammatory properties of sirtuin 6 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Mediators Inflamm. doi: 10.1155/2012/597514.