Work package 3: Characterisation of neuron-glia cross-talk and development of nociceptive tissue screening assay
An effective neuron-glia in vitro screen will require a nociceptive reporter cell. The best candidate is the primary sensory nociceptor. Peripheral nociceptors can interact with multiple glial and other immune cell types. All of these cell types have been suggested to be involved in neuropathic pain to a varying degree.
Co-culture of two different glial cell types will be chosen for further in-depth functional analyses, focusing on how a ‘neuropathic’ condition alter nociceptor function.
In parallel to the cell-type specific approach, it is also intended to set up a high content screening (HCS) platform with a view to adopting it to human iPSCs in WP5 and 6.