Protein found that may provide relief from neurop...( Neuropathic pain is caused by injury...),Health

Neuropathic pain is caused by injury to the peripheral nerves in diseases such as HIV/AIDS, shingles, and cancer or in repetitive motion disorders and trauma, and does not respond well to conventional pain-relieving drugs.

Research in rodents by scientists from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine has provided evidence that a protein called LRP1 may help to ease neuropathic pain by blocking the response of glial cells that support and protect sensory neurons in the peripheral nervous system. Their findings, which could represent a novel target for neuropathic pain therapy, are published in the December 3 issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Neuropathic pain differs from ordinary pain in that it is usually perceived as ongoing burning or as pins and needles electric-shock type of sensation, said Wendy Campana, Ph.D., associate professor in UCSDs Department of Anesthesiology, who led the study. It is caused by nerve damage that can be associated with chronic inflammation or direct nerve injury.

The UCSD studies show that a form of LRP1 that is present in body fluids such as blood counteracts the activity of inflammatory cytokines, proteins which are involved in developing and sustaining chronic pain states. Cytokines act as messengers to either stimulate or inhibit the immune response, are produced by many cell types including white blood cells present during infection and inflammation

We think that the anti-inflammatory activity of LRP1 can be harnessed to decrease chronic pain, said Campana. By decreasing the presence of cytokines in the area of nerve damage, LRP1 calms the pain signals that are sent to the spinal cord.

In-vitro analysis confirmed that LRP1 works to modify the response of glial cells that results in neuropathic pain, according to Campana, who added that interactions of neurons and glial cells are very important in determining pain.

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