Christopher M. Peters, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Office: 336.716.2840
Background:
Chris obtained his B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in 1994 from the University if Miami. In 2007, he received his PhD in Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology at the University of Minnesota where he studied the cellular mechanisms that contribute to cancer related pain in rodent models of bone cancer pain and chemotherapy induced neuropathy.
Dr. Peter’s current research focuses on investigating the mechanism by which spinal alpha 2 adrenoceptor agonists (i.e. clonidine, dexmedetomidine) induce analgesia in acute and chronic pain states. Previous research in the Pain Mechanisms lab identified a shift in the mechanism by which alpha 2 agonists induce analgesia in neuropathic versus acute models of pain. Following peripheral nerve injury, alpha 2 agonists directly stimulate spinal cholinergic terminals promoting the release of acetylcholine whereas under normal (acute) conditions they inhibit cholinergic terminals reducing acetylcholine release. Current studies will use synaptosome and spinal cord slice preparations to determine the alpha 2 receptor subtype and G protein species coupling involved in this fundamental shift in alpha 2 adrenergic receptor function. The ultimate goal of these studies is to identify more effective therapeutic approaches to provide pain relief to patients suffering from chronic pain.
Select Publications:
Peters CM, Jimenez-Andrade JM, Kuskowski MA, Ghilardi JR, Mantyh PW. (2007) An evolving cellular pathology occurs in dorsal root ganglia, peripheral nerve and spinal cord following intravenous administration of paclitaxel in the rat. Brain Research. 1168:46-59
Peters CM, Jimenez-Andrade JM, Jonas BM, Sevcik MA, Koewler NJ, Ghilardi JR, Wong GY, Mantyh PW. (2007) Intravenous paclitaxel administration in the rat induces a peripheral sensory neuropathy characterized by macrophage infiltration and injury to sensory neurons and their supporting cells. Experimental Neurology. 203(1):42-54.
Peters CM, Ghilardi JR, Keyser CP, Kubota K, Lindsay TH, Luger NM, Mach DB, Schwei MJ, Sevcik MA, Mantyh PW. (2005) Tumor-induced injury of primary afferent sensory nerve fibers occurs in bone cancer pain. Experimental Neurology 193 :85-100.
Peters CM, Rogers SD, Pomonis JD, Egnaczyk GF, Keyser CP, Schmidt JA, Ghilardi JR, Maggio JE, Mantyh PW. (2003) Endothelin receptor expression in the normal and injured spinal cord: potential involvement in injury-induced ischemia and gliosis. Experimental Neurology. 180(1):1-13
Peters CM, Lindsay TH, Pomonis JD, Luger NM, Ghilardi JR, Sevcik MA, Mantyh PW. (2004) Endothelin and the tumorigenic component of bone cancer pain. Neuroscience. 126 (4):1043-52.
Pomonis JD, Rogers SD, Peters CM, Ghilardi JR, Mantyh PW. (2001) Expression and localization of endothelin receptors: implications for the involvement of peripheral glia in nociception. Journal of Neuroscience. 21(3):999-1006.
Personal Interests and Hobbies:
Running, camping, hiking, cross country skiing, listening to jazz, playing soccer with my two daughters