Chronic pancreatitis remains a common and challenging clinical syndrome. Its cardinal feature, pain, has been difficult to treat effectively despite a multitude of empirical therapeutic approaches. Our laboratory has been actively pursuing the molecular pathogenesis of pain in pancreatitis for over a decade. In the process we have established highly useful and relevant rodent models of CP and gained valuable insight into the contribution of specific molecules, particularly voltage dependent (Kv) and TRPV1 ion channels and nerve growth factor, NGF. However, it is clear that there is much more that we need to learn. In this proposal, we will focus on a previously under scribed role of transforming growth factor beta, (TGF?) in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory pain. Although TGF? is prominent in the inflammatory mileu, its participation in nociceptive sensitization has received little attention. Our hypothesis is that TGF? is an important modulator of sensory neuronal function and plays a major role in the pathogenesis of pain in chronic pancreatitis via changes in pancreas-specific sensory neuronal excitability and ion channel function. In this proposal, we will attempt to prove this hypothesis, using a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach encompassing molecular, electrophysiological and behavioral assays, via the following specific aims: (1) To determine the effects of TGF? on sensory neuronal excitability and ion channel activity in vitro (2) To determine the effects of exogenous TGF? on pain behavior and pancreatic sensory neuronal plasticity (in vivo) (3)To determine the role of endogenous TGF? in the pathogenesis of pain behavior and sensory neuronal plasticity in chronic pancreatitis. The significance of this proposal is two-fold. First, it will provide a better understanding of the pathogenesis of pain in chronic pancreatitis. Secondly, it will establish a major new biological role for TGF?, opening up the possibility of its involvement in many other chronic painful disorders that may be inflammatory or neoplastic in origin.

Public Health Relevance

This aim of this proposal is to understand the way in which inflammation in the pancreas causes pain and increases the activity of nerves that carry pain signals. Specifically, we are focusing on the role in this process of a molecule called transforming growth factor- beta, which has previously been implicated in the development of fibrosis.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DK073558-06
Application #
8518301
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-DKUS-C (03))
Program Officer
Serrano, Jose
Project Start
2005-12-01
Project End
2016-06-30
Budget Start
2013-07-01
Budget End
2014-06-30
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$340,019
Indirect Cost
$130,131
Name
Johns Hopkins University
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
001910777
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21218
Liu, Liansheng; Zhu, Yaohui; Noë, Michaël et al. (2018) Neuronal Transforming Growth Factor beta Signaling via SMAD3 Contributes to Pain in Animal Models of Chronic Pancreatitis. Gastroenterology 154:2252-2265.e2
Foss, Catherine A; Liu, Liansheng; Mease, Ronnie C et al. (2017) Imaging Macrophage Accumulation in a Murine Model of Chronic Pancreatitis with 125I-Iodo-DPA-713 SPECT/CT. J Nucl Med 58:1685-1690
Sinha, Smrita; Fu, Ya-Yuan; Grimont, Adrien et al. (2017) PanIN neuroendocrine cells promote tumorigenesis via neuronal crosstalk. Cancer Res :
Olesen, Søren S; Krauss, Theresa; Demir, Ihsan Ekin et al. (2017) Towards a neurobiological understanding of pain in chronic pancreatitis: mechanisms and implications for treatment. Pain Rep 2:e625
Sinha, Smrita; Fu, Ya-Yuan; Grimont, Adrien et al. (2017) PanIN Neuroendocrine Cells Promote Tumorigenesis via Neuronal Cross-talk. Cancer Res 77:1868-1879
Drewes, Asbjørn M; Bouwense, Stefan A W; Campbell, Claudia M et al. (2017) Guidelines for the understanding and management of pain in chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatology 17:720-731
Cotton, P B; Elta, G H; Carter, C R et al. (2016) Rome IV. Gallbladder and Sphincter of Oddi Disorders. Gastroenterology :
Lin, Pei-Yu; Peng, Shih-Jung; Shen, Chia-Ning et al. (2016) PanIN-associated pericyte, glial, and islet remodeling in mice revealed by 3D pancreatic duct lesion histology. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 311:G412-22
Moran, Robert A; James, Theodore; Pasricha, Pankaj Jay (2015) Pancreatic pain. Curr Opin Gastroenterol 31:407-15
Pasca di Magliano, Marina; Forsmark, Christopher; Freedman, Steven et al. (2013) Advances in acute and chronic pancreatitis: from development to inflammation and repair. Gastroenterology 144:e1-4

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