Shafaq Sikandar

Transient silencing of spinal nociceptive neurons leads to a long-term reduction in joint pain mediated by recruitment of opioid activity.

The paper shows that SP-BOT induces two phases of pain relief in inflammatory arthritis, with long-term effects mediated by endogenous opioids.

Analgesia through FKBP51 inhibition at disease onset confers lasting relief from sensory and emotional chronic pain symptoms

This study shows that inhibiting FKBP51 early in joint pain reduces both sensory and emotional symptoms for up to 6 months, while late inhibition only provides temporary relief.

Paradoxical Phenotype of Fibromyalgia Neutrophils with Elevated Baseline Inflammation but Blunted Response to Stimulation

The paper identifies a paradoxical inflammation state in FM neutrophils that are unresponsive to LPS, linked to NF-κB suppression, and suggests bryostatin as a potential therapeutic target.

Novel therapies for cancer-induced bone pain

This study evaluates three potential treatments for cancer-induced bone pain in mice, finding that dual inhibition of NGF and TNF significantly reduces pain-related behaviors.

Chemogenetic silencing of NaV1.8 positive sensory neurons reverses chronic neuropathic and bone cancer pain in FLEx PSAM4-GlyR mice

Neutrophils infiltrate sensory ganglia and mediate chronic widespread pain in fibromyalgia

This study shows that neutrophils infiltrate sensory ganglia and contribute to chronic widespread pain in fibromyalgia by conferring mechanical hypersensitivity in mice.

Sensitization of cutaneous primary afferents in bone cancer revealed by in vivo calcium imaging

The paper investigates changes in bone-innervating afferents in cancer-induced bone pain using calcium imaging and retrograde labeling, finding altered excitability in cutaneous afferents but not bone marrow afferents.

The mechanism of analgesia in Nav1.7 null mutants

This study identifies opioid-dependent inhibition of neurotransmitter release as the primary mechanism of analgesia in NaV1.7 null mutants in mice and humans.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor derived from peripheral sensory neurons plays a critical role in pain chronification

This study shows that BDNF from peripheral sensory neurons is critical for transitioning acute to chronic pain.