PhD Candidate University of Toronto/ Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Canada
Abstract: Mambalgin-1, a non-toxic peptide derived from mamba snake venom, inhibits acid-sensing ion channels, which are implicated in pain perception. We engineered mouse embryonic stem cells to express mambalgin-1 using a doxycycline-inducible system to regulate secretion, along with our FailSafe™ cell system to control cell proliferation. When transplanted into mice, these cells produced mambalgin-1, leading to systemic pain relief. This study shows that the mambalgin-1 peptide, a known non-opioid pain reliever, can be effectively delivered in a controlled and continuous manner through cell transplantation. By using stem cells, we can create living systems for protein-based drug delivery, which could serve as an alternative and more advantageous to traditional methods. This strategy could lead to new and effective treatments for tissue-acidity-associated diseases, including chronic pain and other neurological diseases.
