Therapeutic evaluation of the blockage of chemokine receptors (Ccr2 or Cx3cr1) in the chronic ocular pain. – Chemocularpain

Chronic eye pain causes a real deterioration in the quality of life of patients, since it is estimated that nearly 60% of patients are hampered in their daily activities. The burden of ocular pain is generally associated with emotional comorbidities and psychosocial alterations. In patients with Dry eye disease (DED), clinical observations demonstrate higher immune cell density and severe alterations in corneal nerves, leading to peripheral sensitization that may induce central sensitization mechanisms responsible for the chronicization of ocular pain. To date, there is no effective medication for chronic eye pain. Thus, a better understanding of the inflammatory and neurogenic mechanisms involved in chronic ocular pain resulting from DED is a crucial issue for the development of new therapeutic strategies. The aim of this proposal is to evaluate the therapeutic relevance of blocking chemokine receptors (Ccr2 and/or Cx3cr1) to relieve chronic corneal neuralgia. This interdisciplinary project brings together two areas of research: neuroscience and immunopathology. The objective is to define the functional role of chemokines in the interactions between immune cells (macrophages, microglia) and sensory neurons and their implications in the mechanisms of initiation and chronicization of pain. Ultimately, this project using state-of-the-art technologies (FACS and multicolor flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, multi-photon, electrophysiological recording) will provide justification for the use of Ccr2 and Cx3cr1 antagonists as a treatment for chronic ocular pain.