The research led by Felipe Bustamante could transform the way this condition is approached, opening up new possibilities for more specific and effective treatments.
Dr. Felipe Bustamante, a researcher at the Center for Biomedical Research and Innovation, CiiB UANDES, has obtained a FONDECYT Initiation grant to develop a pioneering study on the treatment of chronic pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee, a disease that affects millions of people in Chile and the world.
Chronic pain is one of the main medical challenges associated with osteoarthritis, and its management remains limited. The research led by Bustamante could transform the way this condition is approached, opening up new possibilities for more specific and effective treatments.
The project entitled "Chondrocyte-derived Netrin-1 as a driving mechanism of sensory innervation in osteoarthritis: focus on subchondral bone remodeling and dorsal root ganglion sensitization."The project, which focuses on unraveling the role of a key protein, the Netrin-1in the development of neuropathic pain.
"Produced by chondrocytes, i.e., cartilage cells, this protein could be responsible for the changes in the subchondral bone and for the sensitization of the dorsal root ganglia, nerve structures whose axons infiltrate and censor the microenvironment of the affected bone," Bustamante explained.
The main objective of the study is to understand how these pathophysiological processes contribute to the development of neuropathic pain in osteoarthritis of the knee. This approach not only seeks to deepen the understanding of pain mechanisms, but also to lay the groundwork for the development of future therapeutic interventions to improve pain management. Reducing the perception of pain is a key aspect to improve the quality of life of those who suffer from this disease.