A recently published study in Nature Communications, describes a new method of pain relief using RNA-based medicine. The team designed an RNA mimic that, when injected at the site of an injury in mice, interrupts the pain pathway and reduces the feeling of pain. The need for pain treatments that don’t lead to addiction is incredibly important in the current battle against opioid dependency.
"Pain is a pervasive and devastating problem," said Dr. Zachary Campbell, who researches pain on the molecular level at The University of Texas at Dallas and conducted the study. "It's the most prominent reason why Americans seek medical attention. Poorly treated pain causes enormous human suffering, as well as a tremendous burden on medical care systems and our society."
After an injury occurs, mRNA is translated into pain signaling proteins resulting in pain behavior. The synthetic RNA molecule named, Poly(A) SPOT-ON, has a high affinity to poly(A)-binding protein (PABP), an RNA-binding protein that initiates translation of pain-associated proteins. PABP is known to be expressed throughout the peripheral nervous system and this study focused on inhibiting PABP in peripheral axons in mice. The study showed that locally treating an injury with the RNA mimic can prevent pain and inflammation.
"Imagine touching a hot stovetop, walking into a wall or getting a paper cut," he said. "Part of the cellular origin that causes subsequent pain is initiated by nociceptors, but the molecular mechanisms behind these persistent changes are poorly understood. Our study developed a targeted inhibitor that both shed light on these processes and reduced pain sensitization following an injury."