Characterization of the role of the sensory fibers a (TRKb+) and fibers C (galanin+/neurotensin+) in nociceptive and pathological pain

• Grant number: 19/15063-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: November 01, 2019
• End date: March 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Thiago Mattar Cunha
• Grantee: Alexandre Gomes de Macedo Maganin
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/08216-2 - CRID - Center for Research in Inflammatory Diseases, AP.CEPID

Abstract

Pain is understood as a response generated after the recognition of a noxious stimulus and may be associated with an actual or potential injury. However, inflammatory processes and lesions in the somatosensory system can leads to understood pain as pathology. The perception of both nociceptive and pathological pain depends on the recognition of noxious stimuli by nociceptive sensory neurons (e.g., Fiber C), and in cases of pathology (such as neuropathy) also by non-nociceptive sensory neurons (Fibers A). However, the classification of these sensory neurons has always been based on morphofunctional characteristics, which has still generated controversy regarding the real function of these neurons in the nociception. Due to this, a new classification based on global transcriptional characteristics has been proposed. Knowing this, our group in partnership with the research group of Prof. John N. Wood (University College London) began a collaboration to evaluate the participation of these new subgroups of sensory neurons in different types of pain. Therefore, the objective of this project is to characterize the involvement of the sensory nerve fibers TRKB+, Galanin (Gal) + and Neurotensin (Nts) + in the nociceptive pathway. For this purpose, loss and gain of function approaches will be used with the aid of genetically modified animals that express the recombinase enzyme CRE in these specific populations of sensory neurons. The cross-breeding of these animals with genetically modified animals, expressing TdTomato-Flox, Brainbow2.1-Flox, Dreadd-hM3Dq-Flox, and Adv-DTA-Flox, will allow the morphological and functional characterization of these three new subgroups of sensory neurons in nociceptive pain in the pathological. The more precise understanding of the involvement of sensory neurons in the nociceptive pathway may directly contribute to studies of new therapeutic targets that are more effective for the treatment of different pain subtypes. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

MAGANIN, Alexandre Gomes de Macedo. Characterization of the role of sensory fibers A (Trkb+) and C fibers (Neurotensin+) in nociceptive and pathological pain. 2023. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC) Ribeirão Preto.