You are here

Content

Dr. Wolfgang Greffrath

We are investigating the mechanisms involved in the neuronal coding of actual or potential tissue-damaging, so-called noxious, stimuli in primary nociceptive neurons, as well as their transmission to and processing within the spinal cord. We use electrophysiology and live cell imaging in cellular systems, electrophysiology and behavioral tests in different rodent models and in humans.

We are particularly interested in the function of transient receptor potential channels for nociception and pain, as well as their functions beyond somatosensation. The aim is to identify and characterize possible molecular targets for the development or treatment of acute or chronic pain conditions.

The focus of our work is on

  1. Identification and characterization of the transduction mechanisms if noxious stimuli.
  2.  (Pharmacological) influence on nociceptive transduction and transmission.
  3. Identification of further functions of involved membrane channels beyond nociception.
Three-dimensional reconstruction of a mouse spinal ganglion using confocal multiphoton microscopy in our Core Facility Live Cell Imaging Mannheim, LIMa

Selection of current publications:

  1. Rosenberger DC, Binzen U, Treede RD, Greffrath W. J (2020) The capsaicin receptor TRPV1 is the first line defense protecting from acute non damaging heat: a translational approach. Transl Med.18(1):28.

  2. Nuñez-Badinez P, Sepúlveda H, Diaz E, Greffrath W, Treede RD, Stehberg J, Montecino M, Van Zundert B.(2018) Variable transcriptional responsiveness of the P2X3 receptor gene during CFA-induced inflammatory hyperalgesia. J Cell Biochem. 119(5):3922-3935.

  3. Pallavi P, Pretze M, Caballero J, Li Y, Hofmann B, Stamellou E, Klotz S, Wängler C, Bängler B, Loesef B, Roth S, Theisinger B, Moerz H, Binzen U, Greffrath W, Treede R-D, Harmsen MC, Krämer BK, Hafner M, Yard BA, Kälsch A-I (2018) Analyses of Synthetic N-Acyl Dopamine Derivatives Revealing Different Structural Requirements for Their Anti-inflammatory and Transient-Receptor-Potential-Channel-of-the-Vanilloid-Receptor-Subfamily-Subtype-1 (TRPV1)-Activating Properties. J Med Chem 61(7):3126-3137.

  4. Dembla S, Behrendt M, Mohr F, Goecke C, Sondermann J, Schneider FM, Schmidt M, Stab J, Enzeroth R, Leitner MG, Nuñez-Badinez P, Schwenk J, Nürnberg B, Cohen A, Philipp SE, Greffrath W, Bünemann M, Oliver D, Zakharian E, Schmidt M, Oberwinkler J (2017) Anti-nociceptive action of peripheral mu-opioid receptors by G-beta-gamma protein-mediated inhibition of TRPM3 channels. elife. 6:e26280.

  5. Pretze M, Pallavi P, Roscher M, Klotz S, Caballero J, Binzen U, Greffrath W, Treede R-D, Harmsen M, Hafner M, Yard B, Wängler C, Wängler B (2016) Radiofluorinated N-Octanoyl Dopamine ([ 18 F]F-NOD) as a Tool To Study Tissue Distribution and Elimination of NOD in Vitro and in Vivo. J Med Chem 59(21):9855-9865.

  6. Van den Born JC, Hammes HP, Greffrath W, van Goor H, Hillebrands JL; DFG GRK International Research Training Group 1874 Diabetic Microvascular Complications (DIAMICOM). Gasotransmitters in Vascular Complications of Diabetes (2016) Diabetes. 65(2):331-45. 
  7. Klotz S, Pallavi P, Tsagogiorgas C, Zimmer F,  Zöllner FG, Binzen U, Greffrath W, Treede RD, Walter J, Harmsen MC, Krämer BK, Hafner M, Yard BA, Hoeger S (2016) N-octanoyl dopamine treatment exerts renoprotective properties in acute kidney injury but not in renal allograft recipients. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 31(4):564-73.
  8. Horschitz S, Matthäus F, Groß A, Rosner J, Galach M, Greffrath W, Treede RD, Utikal J, Schloss P, Meyer-Lindenberg A. (2016) Impact of preconditioning with retinoic acid during early development on morphological and functional characteristics of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons. Stem Cell Res. 15(1):30-41.
  9. Piegang BN, Tigoufack IB, Ngnokam D, Achounna AS, Watcho P, Greffrath W, Treede RD, Nguelefack TB. (2016) Cycloartanes from Oxyanthus pallidus and derivatives with analgesic activities. BMC Complement Altern Med.,16:97
  10. Henrich F, Magerl W, Klein T, Greffrath W, Treede RD (2015) Capsaicin-sensitive C- and A-fibre nociceptors control long-term potentiation-like pain amplification in humans. Brain 138, 2505-2520.
  11. Maurer K, Binzen U, Mörz H, Bugert P, Schedel A, Treede RD, Greffrath W. (2014) Acetylsalicylic acid enhances tachyphylaxis of repetitive capsaicin responses in TRPV1-GFP expressing HEK293 cells. Neurosci Lett.563:101-6.
  12. Reuss S, Disque-Kaiser U, Binzen U, Greffrath W, Peschke E. (2010) 'TRPing' synaptic ribbon function in the rat pineal gland: neuroendocrine regulation involves the capsaicin receptor TRPV1. Neuroendocrinology. 2010;92(2):133-42.
  13. Greffrath W, Schwarz ST, Büsselberg D, Treede RD. (2009 ) Heat-induced action potential discharges in nociceptive primary sensory neurons of rats. J Neurophysiol. 102(1):424-36.
  14. Greffrath W, Baumgärtner U, Treede RD. (2007) Peripheral and central components of habituation of heat pain perception and evoked potentials in humans. Pain 132(3):301-11.
  15. Fischbach T, Greffrath W, Nawrath H, Treede RD (2007). Effects of anandamide and noxious heat on intracellular calcium concentration in nociceptive drg neurons of rats. J Neurophysiol. 98(2):929-38.
  16. Greffrath W, Nemenov MI, Schwarz S, Baumgärtner U, Vogel H, Arendt-Nielsen L, Treede RD. (2002) Inward currents in primary nociceptive neurons of the rat and pain sensations in humans elicited by infrared diode laser pulses. Pain 99(1-2):145-55.

Context Column

TopPrintImprintPrivacy