Christophe Altier

Pain is a major symptom of inflammation. Following tissue damage or during pathological inflammation linked to chronic diseases such as arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or asthma, the primary afferent sensory neurons that sense nociceptive information (nociceptors) are exposed to inflammatory mediators. These molecules lower the threshold of activation of the nociceptor - a process called peripheral sensitization. We are investigating the molecular changes that occur in nociceptors during peripheral sensitization. Specifically, we are focussing on a family of ion channels called, Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels that are expressed in primary afferent neurons. Using diverse techniques including molecular biology, imaging and electrophysiology, we are investigating the post-translational regulation of TRP channels caused by different inflammatory molecules. We are particularly interested in the signaling pathways that regulate the activation of TRP channels and the trafficking of these channels to and from the plasma membrane. Ion channels are important molecular targets in the treatment of several pathologies (cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension, epilepsy,...), thus the TRP channel family could represent a new class of targets for the treatment of inflammatory pain.

Administrative Assistant

Barbara Chyz
chyz@ucalgary.ca
403-220-4555