Spinal cord injury induced neuropathic pain: Molecular targets and therapeutic approaches.
Metab Brain Dis
; 30(3): 645-58, 2015 Jun.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-25588751
ABSTRACT
Neuropathic pain, especially that resulting from spinal cord injury, is a tremendous clinical challenge. A myriad of biological changes have been implicated in producing these pain states including cellular interactions, extracellular proteins, ion channel expression, and epigenetic influences. Physiological consequences of these changes are varied and include functional deficits and pain responses. Developing therapies that effectively address the cause of these symptoms require a deeper knowledge of alterations in the molecular pathways. Matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases are two promising therapeutic targets. Matrix metalloproteinases interact with and influence many of the studied pain pathways. Gene expression of ion channels and inflammatory mediators clearly contributes to neuropathic pain. Localized and time dependent targeting of these proteins could alleviate and even prevent neuropathic pain from developing. Current therapeutic options for neuropathic pain are limited primarily to analgesics targeting the opioid pathway. Therapies directed at molecular targets are highly desirable and in early stages of development. These include transplantation of exogenously engineered cell populations and targeted gene manipulation. This review describes specific molecular targets amenable to therapeutic intervention using currently available delivery systems.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Spinal Cord Injuries
/
Genetic Therapy
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Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy
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Analgesics
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Neuralgia
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Metab Brain Dis
Journal subject:
CEREBRO
/
METABOLISMO
Year:
2015
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States
Publication country:
EEUU
/
ESTADOS UNIDOS
/
ESTADOS UNIDOS DA AMERICA
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EUA
/
UNITED STATES
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
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US
/
USA