The Root of the Matter

Pain involves multiple systems in the body. Cytokines are a protein that plays a large role with pain. Pro-inflammatory cytokines are involved in the development of inflammatory and neuropathic pain.  NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) is a protein complex that controls cytokine production and cell survival. NF-κB is found in almost all animal cell types and is involved in cellular responses to stimuli such as: stress, other cytokines, free radicals, heavy metals, and bacterial or viral antigens. NF-κB plays a key role in regulating the immune response to infection (κ light chains are critical components of immunoglobulins). Incorrect regulation of NF-κB has been linked to cancer, memory, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, septic shock, viral infection, and improper immune development. The gut is the natural entry point for many of these triggers to enter into the blood stream and cause trouble some where in the body. Below is a picture of the mucus layer in the intestine and the one cell membrane lining the intestine that is protected by a mucus layer.