Nav1.8

NaV1.8, encoded by SCN10A, is a tetrodotoxin-resistant voltage-gated sodium channel expressed by dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons associated with C-fibres[1]. It supports nociceptor excitability because its sodium current contributes to action-potential generation in sensory neurons activated by tissue damage[1]. Mechanistically, inflammatory signaling can increase tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium current through the cyclic AMP-protein kinase A pathway, linking NaV1.8 function to peripheral sensitization[2]. In pain models, reducing NaV1.8 expression or blocking NaV1.8 attenuated neuropathic or inflammatory pain behaviors in rats[3][4]. Compared with NaV1.7, which strongly determines inflammatory pain thresholds, NaV1.8 is distinguished by sensory-neuron selectivity and tetrodotoxin resistance[1][5]. For experimental applications, A-803467 selectively blocked human NaV1.8 and reduced mechanical allodynia or thermal hyperalgesia in rat pain models[4]. Clinically, the oral selective NaV1.8 inhibitor VX-548 reduced acute postoperative pain at the highest tested dose in phase 2 trials[6].