The Ajit Lab is interested in pursuing various aspects of epigenetic regulation to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying pain.

Ongoing Projects

Our research focus is epigenetic regulation of pain with emphasis on noncoding RNAs and the translation of clinical findings to basic research and vice versa.

We are pursuing:

• The role of circulating miRNAs in mediating signal transduction processes that underlie inflammation and pain in patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
• Diagnostic and prognostic biomarker utility of small extracellular vesicles or exosomes and circulating miRNAs for CRPS.
• Small extracellular vesicle–mediated intercellular communication in the context of neuropathic and inflammatory pain.
• Proof-of-concept studies using extracellular vesicles from antigen presenting cells as pain therapeutic and prophylactic.
• The role of long noncoding RNA XIST along with accompanying epigenetic alterations in the development of chronic pain, and its predominance in women.

miR-939 reduced the translocation of functional NFκB to nucleus in response to LPS stimulation.

Circos diagram showing the correlation of selected medical conditions with other clinical parameters and differentially expressed circulating miRNAs in patients with complex regional pain syndrome. Variables with strong correlations are shown in red.

Neuronal uptake of small extracellular vesicles dual labeled for its RNA with Exo-Red dye and membrane with PKH67 (green).

Transmission electron microscopy images of exosomes purified from mouse serum.

 
 Back to Top