Role of HCAR2 receptor in the development of neuropathic pain

• Grant number: 24/08622-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2024
• End date: June 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Thiago Mattar Cunha
• Grantee: Beatriz Oliveira Moreira de Carvalho
• 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

Neuropathic pain is a type of chronic pain caused by an injury or disease of the central or peripheral somatosensory nervous system. Pharmacological treatment for neuropathic pain is quite limited. Although the response to existing treatments may be effective at first, they become flawed over time and cause unwanted side effects. Hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 2 (HCAR2), also known as GPR109A and niacin receptor 1 (NIACR1), is a G protein-coupled receptor known originally to be expressed in adipocytes and to be related to the inhibition of lipolysis. Currently, it is known that HCAR2 is expressed in several other cell types, acting in the regulation of neuroinflammation in neurological diseases and inflammatory responses in several types of immune cells. Despite the beneficial effects demonstrated by inducing HCAR2 activation in neurological diseases related to neuroinflammation, the role of HCAR2 activation in the context of neuropathic pain is not yet well understood. Knowing the relevance of this receptor in neuroinflammation, this project aims to test the hypothesis that changes in the expression of the HCAR2 receptor modulate the neuroinflammatory profile in the context of neuropathic pain.