10. BIOXELL S.p.A., Milano: Objectives of this project are to identify and characterize novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of inflammation and pain associated with RA. The vitamin D3 receptor (VDR) is expressed on diverse types of immune cells and VDR agonists exert anti-inflammatory properties that could be exploited to treat inflammatory diseases such as RA. Thus, we are currently exploring the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of action of novel vitamin D analogues in animal models of RA. Inflammatory pain is an important clinical component of RA. The nerve growth factor (NGF) and its receptor TrkA play a pivotal role in orchestrating inflammatory pain sensation in RA. We are currently exploring the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of action of a monoclonal antibody directed to the TrkA receptor that can antagonize the biological activity induced by NGF in vivo by measuring pain responses induced in animal models of RA.
