Prof. Dr. Daniela Mauceri

Department of Neurobiology, Bioscience Faculty, Heidelberg University

Prof. Dr. Carmen Ruiz-de-Almodovar

European Center for Angioscience, Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University

PD Dr. Anke Tappe-Theodor

Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Heidelberg

Targeting Oat1 and Lrg1 in chronic pain

Long-lasting alterations of epigenetic processes in dorsal horn are causally linked to sensitization in chronic pain. How these long-lasting changes are modulated is still not defined. Alterations in the neurovascular unit (NVU) have not been thoroughly investigated in the context of chronic pain. Moreover, how the NVU might impact neuronal epigenetic processes, thereby sustaining maladaptive changes, is also elusive.

Key Questions:

1. Is the NVU in the spinal cord altered in chronic pain?

2. Which NVU related factors are affecting epigenetic changes in spinal cord dorsal horn neurons?

3.Do alterations of the NVU functionality contribute to epigenetic changes and to the establishment and maintenance of hypersensitivity?”