Sara Hestehave

Dr. Sara Hestehave

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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10 December 2024 in Journal of Clinical Investigation
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
CTCheng Tang
Cheng Tang
KGKimberly Gomez
Kimberly Gomez
YCYan Chen
Yan Chen
HAHeather N. Allen
Heather N. Allen
SHSara Hestehave
Sara Hestehave
Rajesh KhannaRajesh Khanna
Rajesh Khanna
Antagonists — such as Ziconotide and Gabapentin — of the Ca V 2.2 (N-type) calcium channels are used clinically as analgesics for chronic pain. However, their use is limited by narrow therapeutic windows, difficult dosing routes (Ziconotide), misuse, and overdoses (Gabapentin), as well as a litany of adverse effects. Expansion of novel pain therapeutics may emerge from mechanism-based interrogation of Ca V 2.2. Here, we report the identification of C2230, an aryloxy-hydroxypropylamine, as a Ca V 2.2 blocker. C2230 trapped and stabilized inactivated Ca V 2.2 in a slow-recovering state and accelerated the open-state inactivation of the channel, conferring an advantageous use-dependent inhibition profile. C2230 inhibited Ca V 2.2 during high-frequency stimulation, while sparing other voltage-gated ion channels. C2230 inhibited Ca V 2.2 in dorsal root and trigeminal ganglia neurons from rats, marmosets, and humans in a G-protein-coupled-receptor–independent manner. Further, C2230 reduced evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents and excitatory neurotransmitter release in the spinal cord, leading to relief of neuropathic, orofacial, and osteoarthritic pain-like behaviors via 3 different routes of administration. C2230 also decreased fiber photometry-based calcium responses in the parabrachial nucleus, mitigated aversive behavioral responses to mechanical stimuli after neuropathic injury, and preserved protective pain responses, all without affecting motor or cardiovascular function. Finally, site-directed mutation analysis demonstrated that C2230 binds differently than other known Ca V 2.2 blockers, making it a promising lead compound for analgesic development.