sLRP1-alpha provides relief from neuropathic pain

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sLRP1-alpha provides relief from neuropathic pain

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-12/joci-spr112807.php

Injury to peripheral nerves (the causes of which include shingles,

HIV-AIDS, toxins, alcoholism, repetitive motion disorders, surgery,

and cancer) causes neuropathic pain, which differs from ordinary

pain and is usually perceived as a steady burning, pins and needles,

electric shock sensations, and/or tickling. Normal pain relief

therapies do not effectively provide relief from neuropathic pain.

Further understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying

neuropathic pain is therefore essential to facilitate the

development of new drugs. New research in rodents by Marie Campana

and colleagues from the University of California at San Diego, has

provided evidence that a fragment of the protein LRP1 (sLRP1-alpha)

attenuates neuropathic pain.

In the study, it was first observed that injured peripheral nerves

in both mice and rats released sLRP1-alpha into the surrounding

tissue microenvironment. Administration of sLRP1-alpha into mouse

sciatic nerves prior to injury decreased the levels of injury-

induced inflammatory mediators in the local environment and

inhibited neuropathic pain. In vitro analysis revealed that sLRP1-

alpha modified cells known as glial cells so that they did not

respond to the inflammatory mediator TNF-alpha. The authors

therefore propose that sLRP1-alpha modifies the response of glial

cells to mediators of neuropathic pain and that it might have

therapeutic benefit for individuals suffering from neuropathic pain.