Abstract
Chronic pain is a widespread healthcare problem affecting not only the patient but in many ways all the society. Chronic pain is a disease itself that endures for a long period of time and it is resistant to the majority of medical treatments that provide modest improvements in pain and minimum improvements in physical and emotional functioning. More co-existing chronic pain conditions may be present in the same individual (patient). The α9α10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) may be a potential target in the pathophysiology of chronic pain, as well in the development of breast and lung cancers. α-conotoxins (α-CNT) are small peptides used offensively by carnivorous marine snails known as Conus that target nAChR. Among α-CNT there are potent and selective antagonists of α9α10 nAChR such as RgIA and Vc1.1 that produces both acute and long lasting analgesia. Moreover, these peptides accelerate the recovery of nerve function after injury, likely through immune/inflammatory-mediated mechanisms. We review the background, findings, implications and problems in using compounds that act on α9α10 nAChR.
Keywords: Chronic pain, α9α10 nAChR, α-conotoxins, pathophysiology, RgIA, Vc1.1.
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title:Alpha9Alpha10 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors as Target for the Treatment of Chronic Pain
Volume: 20 Issue: 38
Author(s): Alessandra Del Bufalo, Alfredo Cesario, Gianluca Salinaro, Massimo Fini and Patrizia Russo
Affiliation:
Keywords: Chronic pain, α9α10 nAChR, α-conotoxins, pathophysiology, RgIA, Vc1.1.
Abstract: Chronic pain is a widespread healthcare problem affecting not only the patient but in many ways all the society. Chronic pain is a disease itself that endures for a long period of time and it is resistant to the majority of medical treatments that provide modest improvements in pain and minimum improvements in physical and emotional functioning. More co-existing chronic pain conditions may be present in the same individual (patient). The α9α10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) may be a potential target in the pathophysiology of chronic pain, as well in the development of breast and lung cancers. α-conotoxins (α-CNT) are small peptides used offensively by carnivorous marine snails known as Conus that target nAChR. Among α-CNT there are potent and selective antagonists of α9α10 nAChR such as RgIA and Vc1.1 that produces both acute and long lasting analgesia. Moreover, these peptides accelerate the recovery of nerve function after injury, likely through immune/inflammatory-mediated mechanisms. We review the background, findings, implications and problems in using compounds that act on α9α10 nAChR.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Bufalo Del Alessandra, Cesario Alfredo, Salinaro Gianluca, Fini Massimo and Russo Patrizia, Alpha9Alpha10 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors as Target for the Treatment of Chronic Pain, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2014; 20 (38) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612820666140314150634
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612820666140314150634 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Microscopies at the Nanoscale for Nano-Scale Drug Delivery Systems
Current Drug Targets Luteolin, a Flavonoid with Potential for Cancer Prevention and Therapy
Current Cancer Drug Targets Novel Therapeutic Agents Against Cancer Stem Cells of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Pharmacokinetic Properties of Rituximab
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitor MMI-166 Suppresses the Growth of SW1990 Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Current Signal Transduction Therapy Retrospective Observational Study to Evaluate Causality, Preventability and Severity of Adverse Drug Reaction Associated with Anticancer Drugs in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Northern India
Current Drug Safety Disposition of Pharmacologically Active Dietary Isoflavones in Biological Systems
Current Drug Metabolism A Long Time History of a Mediastinal Fibrosis with Triple Vascular Stenosis
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Between Bench and Bed Side: PI3K Inhibitors
Current Molecular Pharmacology Towards the Development of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Sensitizers:Making TNF Work Against Cancer
Current Pharmaceutical Design Nutritional Antioxidants and Adaptive Cell Responses: An Update
Current Molecular Medicine Strategic Developments & Future Perspective on Gene Therapy for Breast Cancer: Role of mTOR and Brk/ PTK6 as Molecular Targets
Current Gene Therapy Use of Anticancer Platinum Compounds in Combination Therapies and Challenges in Drug Delivery
Current Medicinal Chemistry Diabetes, Cancer and Treatment – A Mini-Review
Current Drug Safety Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants in Carcinogenesis and Integrative Therapy of Cancer
Current Pharmaceutical Design Anti-Angiogenic Targets in the Treatment of Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma
Current Cancer Drug Targets Recent Advances in Copper Radiopharmaceuticals
Current Radiopharmaceuticals Systemic Sclerosis Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Modifiable Midlife Risk Factors for Late-Life Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
Current Psychiatry Reviews Control of Protein Synthesis in Malignant Transformation - the Role of eIF4E and the eIF4E Binding Proteins in the Regulation of Apoptosis
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews