Proteomics in neuropathic pain research

[Guest guest]

Anesthesiology. 2008 Feb;108(2):314-23.

Proteomics in neuropathic pain research.

Niederberger E, Geisslinger G.

Institut für Klinische Pharmakologie, Klinikum der Johann Wolfgang

Goethe-Universität furt, furt am Main, Germany.

Neuropathic pain is often caused by nerve injury or dysfunction in

the peripheral and central nervous system and is frequently

associated with allodynia and hyperalgesia. The underlying molecular

mechanisms of neuropathic pain are largely unknown, and therefore,

pharmacologic treatment is insufficient in many cases. To elucidate

translational and posttranslational modifications in the nervous

system that arise after nerve injury, a number of proteomic studies

have been performed using different animal neuropathy models. The

results of these proteomic approaches are summarized in this review

to provide a better overview of proteins that are involved into the

pathogenesis of nerve injury and neuropathic pain. This might allow a

better understanding of the pathophysiologic signaling pathways in

this impairment, facilitate the discovery of specific biomarkers, and

thus promote the development of novel pain therapies.