A Mouse Model of Chronic Inflammatory Pain with Co-Morbid Depression and Anxiety
This mouse model utilizes a dual approach by combining a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) injection into the knee joint to induce chronic osteoarthritis pain with an Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress (UCMS) protocol to evoke depression and anxiety-like behaviors. Designed for both male and female mice, this system enables comprehensive investigation of cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms under conditions that mimic the co-occurrence of chronic pain and negative affect. The model addresses the progression of chronic, inflammatory joint pain over several weeks while concurrently applying mild, unpredictable stressors that provoke measurable behavioral symptoms.
Description
What differentiates this technology is its innovative integration of methods that were previously applied separately, thus providing a more holistic platform for studying the interplay between persistent pain and mood disorders. Its ability to capture bidirectional influences enhances research into sex-specific differences, crucial for conditions such as fibromyalgia that disproportionately affect women. This combined approach not only deepens our understanding of the intertwined pathways involved but also paves the way for developing targeted therapies that simultaneously address chronic pain and its associated mood disturbances.Applications
- Preclinical drug screening- Pain-mood co-therapy development
- Sex-specific treatment research
- Mechanism-targeted therapy validation
- Biomarker pathway elucidation
Advantages
- Provides an integrated model to study the bidirectional relationship between chronic pain and mood disorders.- Enables investigation of cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms underlying co-morbid conditions.
- Applicable to both male and female mice, supporting research on sex-specific differences.
- Facilitates the development of targeted therapeutic interventions for patients experiencing both chronic pain and mood disorders.