Chronic pain affects ∼20% of the European population and drugs currently used to treat this condition present limiting side effects, which alter the compliance to the treatment. Therefore, there is a need to develop translational in vitro nociceptor models to study pain transduction. Here, we propose an in vitro human-based, microfluidic cultured nociceptor model for investigating peripheral pain signalling and its modulation by anti-nociceptive molecules. The use of microfluidic chambers allows for the compartmentalization of soma and axons, resembling the natural architecture of sensory neurons.  
First, rodent nociceptors were cultured in microfluidic chambers (MFC), and their functionality was assessed using calcium imaging and microelectrode arrays (MEA). Concomitantly, we are also optimizing a transdifferentiation of human fibroblasts to nociceptors.
Nociceptors are readily cultured in MFC and coupled to MEA chips for evaluating their excitability. Stimulation of the peripheral ends, produced electrical activity that is measured in the soma. Transdifferentiation of human fibroblasts is possible, although the yields are low and need optimization.
We have improved microfluidic nociceptor cultures, including the MEA recordings. This opens new venues for studying nociceptive signalling and for testing anti-nociceptive drugs. We aim to expand these cultures to human nociceptors obtained by transdifferentiation of cutaneous fibroblasts.

TRANSDIFFERENTIATION AND MICROFLUIDIC CHAMBERS AS TOOLS TO APPROACH THE IN-VIVO SKETCH OF HUMAN NOCICEPTORS