Neuroimmune Regulation of Pain and Inflammation: Targeting Glial Cells and Nociceptor Sensory Neurons Interaction
Pp. 146-200 (55)
Victor Fattori, Sergio M. Borghi, Ana C. Rossaneis, Mariana M. Bertozzi, Thiago M. Cunha and Waldiceu A. Verri
Abstract
Chronic pain, differently from nociceptive pain, results from a maladaptive
response of the body. Accumulating evidence shows that the mechanism of persistent
pathological pain is mediated by complex interactions between sensory neurons and
glial cells, namely astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes. In this chapter, we
focus on the current understanding of the neuroimmune contribution to pathological
pain and the mechanisms by which glial cells interact with sensory neurons to modulate
pain and inflammation. The glial cells biology and how sensory neurons can modulate
inflammatory response are also highlighted topics in this chapter. Given the
heterogeneous immune functions of different cells in the spinal cord and the sex
differential role of glial cells in chronic pain, we also explore how this could be
harnessed to develop new therapeutic approaches for pain relief.
Keywords:
Allodynia, Analgesia, Clinical trials, Chronic pain, Cytokines,
Depression, Hyperalgesia, Hypersensitivity, Inflammation, JNK, MAPK,
Neuropathy, NF-κB, p38, Sex dimorphism.
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ciencias Patologicas, Centro de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid KM480 PR445, Caixa Postal 10.011, CEP 86057-970, Londrina, Parana, Brazil.