Anne Londregan
Identifying New Therapeutic Targets for Visceral Pain
Summary
Visceral pain, or pain that originates from abdominal or pelvic organs, is associated with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) and affects an estimated >10% of the population. Current treatments for visceral pain include over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, which have limited efficacy, and opiates, which can increase constipation. This highlights the need for new medicines to treat visceral pain. We have identified a unique population of intestinal epithelial cells, called neuropod cells, that form a direct connection between the gut and the nervous system. Activation of signaling in neuropod cells regulates visceral pain response in mice, presenting a novel target for treatment. My project aims to take advantage of this signaling pathway to identify therapeutic targets in neuropod cells for the treatment of visceral pain. My research utilizes drugs that are already FDA-approved, outlining a new paradigm for visceral pain treatment that can be translated to patients.
Read Our Q&A with Annie
I am excited to receive the PhRMA Foundation fellowship for my research on identifying new therapeutic targets for visceral pain. Beyond financial support, it connects me with fellow scientists dedicated to drug discovery and translational research.
