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MicroRNAs in the Spinal Microglia Serve Critical Roles in Neuropathic Pain
Simin Tang1,2, Huan Jing1,3, Fuhu Song4
1Department of Anesthesiology, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, 528000, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Neuropathic pain (NP) can occur after peripheral nerve injury (PNI), and it can be converted into a maladaptive, detrimental phenotype that causes a long-term state of pain hypersensitivity. In the last decade, the discovery that dysfunctional microglia evoke pain, called "microgliopathic pain," has challenged traditional neuronal views of "pain" and has been extensively explored. Recent studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) can act as activators or inhibitors of spinal microglia in NP conditions. We first briefly review spinal microglial activation in NP. We then comprehensively describe miRNA expression changes and their potential mechanisms in the response of microglia to nerve injury. We summarize the roles of the following two representative miRNAs: miR-124, which reverses NP by keeping microglia quiescent, and miR-155, which promotes NP following microglial activation. Finally, we focused on the therapeutic potential of microglial miRNAs in NP. The findings we summarized may be essential tools for basic research and clinical treatment of NP.
Insights
Neuropathic pain (NP) involves spinal microglia. Specific microRNAs (miRNAs) like miR-124 and miR-155 regulate microglial activity, offering potential therapeutic targets for pain management.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Neuropathic pain (NP) following peripheral nerve injury (PNI) can lead to chronic hypersensitivity.
- Dysfunctional microglia play a key role in NP, termed 'microgliopathic pain', challenging purely neuronal pain models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review spinal microglial activation in NP.
- To comprehensively describe miRNA expression changes and their mechanisms in microglia following nerve injury.
- To summarize the therapeutic potential of microglial miRNAs in NP.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on microglial activation in NP.
- Analysis of miRNA expression changes and their regulatory mechanisms in microglia.
- Summarization of the roles of specific miRNAs (miR-124, miR-155) in NP.
Main Results:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) modulate spinal microglia activity in NP.
- miR-124 reverses NP by maintaining microglial quiescence.
- miR-155 promotes NP through microglial activation.
Conclusions:
- Microglial miRNAs are crucial in NP pathogenesis.
- Targeting microglial miRNAs presents a promising therapeutic strategy for NP.
- Findings provide essential tools for NP research and clinical treatment.
