Neuropathic pain is a chronic pain condition, which is a consequence of peripheral nervous (somatosensory) system damages. Among the most common symptoms associated with neuropathic pain, numbness, tingling, burning, stabbing sensations are reported.
Peripheral nervous system alterations can be due to traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic problems, inherited causes and exposure to toxins (including agents used in cancer treatments) and consequences includes myelin destruction and thus abnormal transduction of the nervous signals, neuronal degeneration, dysregulation of nociceptors.
Transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels and in particular TRPV1 receptors are the most widely studied mediators of nociception and should be considered as an important target to modulate nociceptors functionalities in Neuropathies.
Neuron Experts has developed models to analyze the beneficial effect of compounds on neuronal protection, nociceptors regulation or Schwann cells damages.
Cell System
- Humans iPS derived sensory neurons + skin cells (keratinocytes…)
- Humans iPS derived sensory neurons + rescontructed epidermis (StratiCELL)
- Humans iPS derived sensory neurons + schwann cells (under development)
Model of activation
- Capsaicin
- Antimitotic agent
Endpoint evaluation
- Schwann cell survival and proliferation
- Loss of neurite
- Neuronal death / apoptosis evaluation
- Neuropeptides release assay
- Receptors expression / colocalization