A5013216738- Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
- Hemoglobinopathies and Related Disorders
- Erythrocyte Function and Pathophysiology
- Ion Channels and Receptors
- Urinary Bladder and Prostate Research
- Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
- Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Migraine and Headache Studies
- Biochemical effects in animals
- Dermatology and Skin Diseases
- Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Gut microbiota and health
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Exercise and Physiological Responses
- Cellular Mechanics and Interactions
- Veterinary Pharmacology and Anesthesia
- Blood properties and coagulation
- Ion channel regulation and function
- Hormonal and reproductive studies
- Infrared Thermography in Medicine
- Iron Metabolism and Disorders
- Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
- Neurological diseases and metabolism
- Menstrual Health and Disorders
The University of Texas at Dallas
2023-2024
Medical College of Wisconsin
2018-2023
Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre
2022
Duquesne University
2012-2017
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
2004
Keratinocytes are the most abundant cell type in epidermis, superficial layer of skin. Historically, epidermal-innervating sensory neurons were thought to be exclusive detectors and transmitters environmental stimuli. However, recent work from our lab (Moehring et al., 2018) others (Baumbauer 2015) has demonstrated that keratinocytes also critical for normal mechanotransduction mechanically-evoked behavioral responses mice. Here, we asked whether keratinocyte activity is required cold heat...
Tactile and spontaneous pains are poorly managed symptoms of inflammatory neuropathic injury. Here, we found that transient receptor potential canonical 5 (TRPC5) is a chief contributor to both these sensations in multiple rodent pain models. Use TRPC5 knockout mice inhibitors revealed selectively contributes the mechanical hypersensitivity associated with CFA injection, skin incision, chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy, sickle cell disease, migraine, all which were characterized by...
Epidermal keratinocytes mediate touch sensation by detecting and encoding tactile information to sensory neurons. However, the specific mechanotransducers that enable respond mechanical stimulation are unknown. Here, we found mechanically-gated ion channel PIEZO1 is a key keratinocyte mechanotransducer. Keratinocyte expression of critical for normal afferent firing behavioral responses stimuli in mice.
Painful bladder syndrome is a debilitating condition that affects 3-6% of women in the United States. Multiple lines evidence suggest changes CNS processing are key to development chronic pain conditions but little known regarding underlying cellular, molecular, and neuronal mechanisms. Using mouse model distention-induced pain, we found central nucleus amygdala (CeA) critical site neuromodulation for nociception. Furthermore, demonstrate metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) activation...
Abstract The left and right central amygdalae (CeA) are limbic regions involved in somatic visceral pain processing. These 2 nuclei asymmetrically modulation; pain-like responses on both sides of the body preferentially driven by CeA, a reciprocal fashion, nociceptive stimuli predominantly alter molecular physiological activities CeA. Unknown, however, is whether this lateralization also exists processing furthermore what function CeA has modulating information. Using urinary bladder...
Few analgesics identified using preclinical models have successfully translated to clinical use. These translational limitations may be due the unidimensional nature of behavioral response measures used assess rodent nociception. Advances in high-speed videography for pain behavior allow objective quantification nuanced aspects evoked paw withdrawal responses. However, whether videography-based assessments mechanical hypersensitivity outperform traditional measurement reproducibility is...
Abstract Approximately one-third of individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) develop chronic pain. This debilitating pain is inadequately treated because the underlying mechanisms driving are poorly understood. In addition to persistent pain, patients SCD also in a tonically proinflammatory state. Previous studies have revealed that there elevated plasma levels many inflammatory mediators including chemokine (c-c motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) SCD. Using transgenic mouse model SCD, we investigated...
Abstract Debilitating pain affects the lives of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Current treatment for SCD fail to completely resolve acute or chronic pain. Previous research indicates that cation channel transient receptor potential vanilloid type 4 (TRPV4) mediates peripheral hypersensitivity in various inflammatory and neuropathic conditions may share similar pathophysiology SCD, but this channel's role remains unknown. Thus, current experiments examined whether TRPV4 regulates...
Approximately 3-8 million people in the United States suffer from interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), a debilitating condition characterized by increased urgency and frequency of urination, as well nocturia general pelvic pain, especially upon bladder filling or voiding. Despite years research, cause IC/BPS remains elusive treatment strategies are unable to provide complete relief patients. In order study nervous system contributions condition, many animal models have been...
Summary Pain is the main complication of sickle cell disease (SCD). Individuals with SCD experience acute pain episodes and chronic daily pain, both which are managed opioids. Opioids have deleterious side effects use‐associated stigma that make them less than ideal for management. After recognizing neuropathic qualities clinically‐approved therapies including gabapentin, now present unique non‐opioid based These experiments explored efficacy gabapentin in relieving evoked spontaneous...
Abstract Pain is a debilitating symptom and leading reason for hospitalization of individuals with sickle cell disease. Chronic pain poorly managed because the biological basis not fully understood. Using transgenic mice fecal material transplant, we determined that gut microbiome drives persistent pain. In parallel patient mouse analyses, identified bilirubin as one metabolite induces by altering vagus nerve activity. Furthermore, decreased abundance bacteria Akkermansia mucinophila...
Abstract Introduction: Many patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) suffer from chronic pain, which is often described as neuropathic in nature. Although vascular and inflammatory pathology undoubtedly contribute to the SCD pain experience, nociceptive signals that ultimately drive symptoms are detected transmitted by peripheral sensory neurons. To date, no systematic histological examination of nerves has been completed or mouse models diagnose disease-related neuropathy. Objectives: In...
Abstract Epidermal keratinocytes mediate touch sensation by detecting and encoding tactile information to sensory neurons. However, the specific mechanotransducers that enable respond mechanical stimulation are unknown. Here, we found mechanically-gated ion channel Piezo1 is major keratinocyte mechanotransducer. Keratinocyte expression of critical for normal afferent firing behavioral responses stimuli.
Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a debilitating urological condition that resistant to treatment and poorly understood. To determine novel molecular targets elucidate the contribution of nervous system IC/BPS, many rodent bladder models have been developed. In this study we evaluated effects anesthesia induction temperature variation in mouse model known as urinary distension (UBD). compressed air used distend distinct pressures while electrodes record reflexive...