PI's involved in KIPN

The main focus of my research is on orofacial pain of muscular origin, from causes to treatment in both children and adults. It is well known, that the impact of pain in the orofacial region is not only the unpleasant sensory experience but also an emotional experience. These chronic pain conditions affect the temporomandibular joint or the masticatory muscles as well as 
their associated structures. It has a prevalence of approximately 10–20 percent and is 1.5 to 2 times more prevalent in women.

In order to improve and add new therapeutical tools we need to increase the knowledge of the cause, if and how orofacial pain affects jaw function, and how effective different treatment modalities are in both children and adults. Regarding the cause of orofacial pain we are investigating the expression of pain-receptors in human muscle tissue of both healthy participants and patients with myalgia, also in a prevalence study investigating risk-factors to develop orofacial pain in young age. When it comes to jaw function we are investigating if and how jaw muscle pain affect fine motor function and chewing performance, and regarding treatment we are doing the first treatment study (in our knowledge) of myalgia and/or arthralgia of the temporomandibular joints in the growing individual in order to evaluate treatment efficacy and any possible side-effects. 

Malin Ernberg’s research group focuses on increasing our knowledge of the mechanisms behind chronic pain, especially orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders. The research is translational, spanning from basic research using biological samples samples from patients and matched pain-free controls via human experimental studies where pain is experimentally induced, to clinical intervention studies. The main focus lies in the role of peripheral events for maintenance of chronic muscle pain and differences between local myalgia and myofascial pain with referral. We use intramuscular microdialysis to study the in-vivo expression of algesic and inflammatory markers in the extracellular matrix. In muscle microbiopsies from patients and controls we study the expression of markers using bulk RNA seq, spatial transcriptomics, proteomics, and IHC as well as changes over time. We further investigate the effect of botulinum toxin on these markers.

At the forefront of our research is the goal to unravel the cellular and molecular complexities underlying pain. We delineate the specific cell types and molecular processes underlying acute and chronic pain with the aim to elucidate the molecular mechanisms contributing to neuronal hyperexcitability and persistent pain. Employing a diverse array of techniques, including single-cell RNA sequencing, single-cell accessible chromatin analysis, biochemistry, protein engineering, mouse genetic manipulation for capture and manipulating activity in previously active neurons, neural connectivity tracing, mouse pain behavioral tests and computational biology, we investigate both the ascending and descending pain pathways. Our overarching goal is to enhance our understanding of the neural underpinnings of pain, with the ultimate aspiration of facilitating the development of novel therapeutic strategies aimed at alleviating the suffering endured by chronic pain patients.

Eva Kosek’s group focuses on research regarding pathophysiological mechanisms in chronic musculoskeletal pain, with special reference to central pain modulation and neuroinflammation in fibromyalgia, chronic low back pain, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The research is hypothesis driven and the research group uses a wide variety of techniques such as genetics, analysis of inflammatory substances in cerebrospinal fluid and blood, quantitative sensory testing and neuroimaging (functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and positron emission tomography (PET).

The research in Camilla I. Svensson's group focuses on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying chronic pain, with a particular emphasis on rheumatic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. The research group investigates the role of autoantibodies, immune cell interactions, and neuroimmune signaling in driving pain and inflammation by integrateing basic and translational research, utilizing patient samples alongside techniques such as single-cell RNA sequencing, advanced imaging and in vivo models. By investigating how antibodies influence non-neuronal cells like satellite glial cells and macrophages in sensory ganglia and peripheral tissues, the group aims to bridge the gap between laboratory findings and clinical applications, identifying novel therapeutic targets to alleviate chronic pain and improve patient outcomes.

My laboratory is at the inter-phase of neuroscience and immunology, a novel and highly dynamic field. It combines techniques of molecular and cell biology, optogenetics, tissue clearance and imaging, electrophysiology, neuroanatomy, behavior, and genetics. In collaboration with Dr. Amit, I have expanded my interests to include the study of cancer neuroscience. In this proposal, we will harness the activity of the nervous system to augment the antitumor immune response. These studies will significantly expand our current understanding of the nervous signals hampering cancer immunosurveillance. I am excited to continue this fruitful inter-disciplinary collaboration and look forward to contributing to its translation into the clinic.