The EGFR belongs to the well-studied ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases. EGFR is activated by numerous endogenous ligands that promote cellular growth, proliferation, and tissue regeneration. In the present study, we have demonstrated a role for EGFR and its natural ligand, epiregulin (EREG), in pain processing. We show that inhibition of EGFR with clinically available compounds strongly reduced nocifensive behavior in mouse models of inflammatory and chronic pain. EREG-mediated activation of EGFR enhanced nociception through a mechanism involving the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and matrix metalloproteinase-9. Moreover, EREG application potentiated capsaicin-induced calcium influx in a subset of sensory neurons. Both the EGFR and EREG genes displayed a genetic association with the development of chronic pain in several clinical cohorts of temporomandibular disorder. Thus, EGFR and EREG may be suitable therapeutic targets for persistent pain conditions.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5669538 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1172/JCI87406 | DOI Listing |
Support Care Cancer
January 2025
Department of Internal Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
Background: Transcutaneous electrical stimulation after breast cancer surgery has been utilized for various purposes, but the full efficacy of this treatment approach on postoperative symptoms remains unclear.
Aim: This study aimed to answer the question: Does transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation significantly impact postoperative patient outcomes in individuals undergoing breast cancer surgery?
Methods: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials was conducted. Because of the limited number of studies included, it was not feasible to perform a meta-analysis.
Pain is a dynamic and nonlinear experience shaped by injury and contextual factors, including expectations of future pain or relief . While µ opioid receptors are central to the analgesic effects of opioid drugs, the endogenous opioid neurocircuitry underlying pain and placebo analgesia remains poorly understood. The ventrolateral column of the posterior periaqueductal gray is a critical hub for nociception and endogenous analgesia mediated by opioid signaling .
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Educ Perioper Med
January 2025
Jennifer Danielsson is an Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology, Ombuds, Division of Regional Anesthesiology, Stephanie A. Chen is a Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Naralys Batista is a Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellow, and Teresa A. Mulaikal is an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Residency Program Director, Division of Cardiothoracic and Critical Care, in the Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY. Caroline H. Jensen is a Critical Care Fellow in the Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard, Boston, MA.
The authors propose an educational innovation in graduate medical education, the creation of an Education Ombudsperson. Although this role has been implemented for faculty and students within the medical field, it has not been described in residency programs. The Ombudsperson for house staff is distinct from institutional or programmatic leadership.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFKnee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a healthcare burden affecting over 595 million people worldwide. Recently, intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections from the patient's blood have shown promise in slowing KOA progression due to platelets' regenerative properties. This study aimed to evaluate the optimal dosing and schedule for PRP therapy in managing mild to moderate KOA.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCureus
December 2024
Department of Surgery, Royal Oldham Hospital, Northern Care Alliance NHS Trust, Manchester, GBR.
Gallstone ileus (GSI) is a rare complication of gallstone disease. It occurs as a result of the passage of a stone from the biliary tract into the gastrointestinal tract via an abnormal pathway (bilio-enteric fistula). Chronic inflammatory processes result in gall bladder adhering and subsequently eroding into the intestines, leading to a fistula.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!