Term	full name	pertinent information
AA	arachidonic acid	AA is an unsaturated fatty acid present in phospholipid membranes. Upon release, AA and its metabolites have been shown to activate TRP channels.
Ach	acetylcholine	Ach is the primary neurotransmitter released by motor neurons to activate muscles; Ach is also a neurotransmitter employed by the autonomic and sensory nervous systems.
Artn	artemin	Growth factor expressed by neurons and some cancer cells
BCC	basal cell carcinoma	Abnormal uncontrolled growths or lesions originating from basal cells of the skin epidermis
BDNF	brain-derived neurotrophic growth factor	Growth factor expressed by neurons and some cancer cells
Cancer		Disease in which abnormal cells divide without control; can invade other tissues (e.g. blood, lymph, nerves)
CG	celiac ganglion	Abdominal ganglion that contains axons of sensory neurons and cell bodies of sympathetic neurons that innervate the stomach and pancreas
CNS	central nervous system	Complex of nerve tissues comprised of the brain and spinal cord
CGRP	calcitonin gene related peptide	Peptide released by sensory neurons; functions as a vasodilator and contributes to neurogenic inflammation
DRG	dorsal root ganglia	Clusters of the cell bodies of spinal sensory neurons
ET-R	endothelin receptor	G-protein coupled receptor that elevates intracellular calcium and modulates vasoconstriction
GDNF	glial cell-line derived growth factor	Growth factor expressed by neurons and some cancer cells
Ganglia		Cluster of nerve cell bodies
GEMM	genetically engineered mouse model	Mice with genomes that have been engineered to model aspects of human diseases
GFRα1	GDNF receptor alpha 1	GPI-linked receptor that binds GDNF and Nrtn; mediates activation of the tyrosine receptor kinase RET
GFRα2	GDNF receptor alpha 2	GPI-linked receptor that binds Nrtn; mediates activation of the tyrosine receptor kinase RET; expressed by neurons and cancer cells
GFRα3	GDNF receptor alpha 3	GPI-linked receptor that binds Artn; mediates activation of the tyrosine receptor kinase RET; expressed by neurons and cancer cells
IL-6	Interleukin-6	Pro-inflammatory cytokine
IMG	inferior mesenteric ganglion	Prevertebral ganglia located where the inferior mesenteric artery branches from the abdominal aorta. Contains the sympathetic neurons that innervate the prostate
mAchR	muscarinic acetylcholine receptor	G-protein coupled receptor activated by acetylcholine; classically regulates signaling in the autonomic nervous system
metastasis		Refers to the development of malignant growths at sites distant from the primary site of cancer
nAchR	nicotinic acetylcholine receptor	Ion channel expressed by neurons and some cancer cells; implicated in motor function
NE	norepinephrine	Stress hormone and neurotransmitter involved in homeostasis of bodily functions (e.g. vascular, glucose, gastrointestinal)
NE-R	norepinephrine receptor	Adrenergic G-protein coupled receptors that bind by NE; activation typically stimulates skeletal muscle (e.g. “flight or fight” response).
neurogenic inflammation		Neuronal release of small molecules that can contribute to inflammation, e.g., substance P, calcitonin gene related peptide, glutamate, cholecystokinin and ATP. Effects can be on blood vessels, other neurons and immune cells to establish inflammatory milieu.
neuropathic pain		Pain that results from direct damage to the nervous system
NG	nodose ganglia	Ganglia located anterior to the internal jugular vein that contain sensory and parasympathetic cell bodies of the vagus nerve
NGF	nerve growth factor	Growth factor expressed by neurons and some cancer cells
NK-R	neurokinin receptor	G-protein coupled receptor involved in nociception
NPY	neuropeptide Y	Peptide released from sensory neurons that functions as a vasoconstrictor
Nrtn	neurturin	Growth factor expressed by neurons and some cancer cells
P2X	ionotropic purinergic receptor	Ion channel activated by ATP; implicated in modulating nociception, cardiac function, vascular tone and micturition
P2Y	metabotropic purinergic receptor	G-protein coupled receptor activated by ATP and its metabolites; implicated in multiple cellular functions including nociception, cytokine secretion, proliferation and apoptosis
pancreatitis		A complex inflammatory disease with multiple etiologies including both genetic and environmental (internal and external) components. Resulting pathology has a common histological presentation including edema, vasodilation, invasion of immune cells and varying degrees of breakdown in the barriers of the different tissue compartments within the pancreas
PanIN	pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia	Precancerous lesions in the ductal structures of the pancreas composed of columnar or cuboidal cells
PAR2	protease activated receptor 2	G-protein coupled receptor that modulates inflammatory responses
PDAC	pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma	Most common form of pancreas cancer; tumor derived from epithelial cells that line the pancreatic ducts and ductules
PG	paravertebral ganglia	Ganglia alongside the spinal column that contain sympathetic neuron cell bodies
PNI	perineural invasion	Refers to when cancer cells invade the nerves; cells may invade all layers (endoneurium, perinerium, and/or epineurium) within the nerve
PNS	peripheral nervous system	Consists of nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord; primary subdivisions include somatosensory and autonomic nervous systems.
SN	splanchnic nerve	Visceral nerve of autonomic and sensory fibers connecting the spinal cord and abdominal organs
SP	substance P	Peptide released from sensory neurons; can act as a modulator of neurogenic inflammation
TrkA	tropomyosin receptor kinase A	Tyrosine receptor kinase activated by NGF; expressed by neurons and cancer cells
TrkB	tropomyosin receptor kinase B	Tyrosine receptor kinase activated by BDNF; expressed by neurons and cancer cells
TRP	transient receptor potential family	Family of ionotropic receptors (ion channels) expressed on neurons; can influence nociceptive tone
VN	vagus nerve	Parasympathetic and sensory fibers arising from neurons of the nodose ganglion; have peripheral synapses on intrinsic neurons within organs
xenograft		Transplantation of cancer cells into animals to model aspects of human disease