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Nerve-myeloid cell interactions in persistent human pain: a reappraisal using updated cell subset classifications
Jayden A O'Brien1,2, Jackson F Karrasch1,2,3, Yun Huang1,2
1Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Pain
|November 17, 2023
Summary
Myeloid cells interact with nerve fibers in chronic pain, but human studies are limited. Research needs updated cell definitions and advanced techniques to clarify these neuroimmune interactions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience and immunology research.
- Focus on chronic pain mechanisms.
Background:
- The immune system, particularly myeloid cells, plays a key role in pain.
- Rodent models show myeloid cell-nerve fiber interactions, but human data is scarce.
- New myeloid cell subsets offer insights, but their role in human chronic pain is unclear.
Approach:
- Scoping review of 37 papers on myeloid cell-nerve fiber interactions in human chronic pain.
- Investigated various tissues including skin, cornea, peripheral nerve, endometrium, and tumors.
- Critically reappraised literature using contemporary myeloid cell biology.
Key Points:
- Macrophages, Langerhans cells, and mast cells were most studied.
- Inconsistent findings across studies, but increased macrophage frequency was a common pattern.
- Outdated myeloid cell definitions and reliance on morphology limited functional insights.
Conclusions:
- Current understanding of myeloid cell-nerve interactions in human chronic pain is limited.
- Need for updated cell classifications and advanced single-cell technologies (proteomics, transcriptomics).
- Clarifying specific neuroimmune interactions is crucial for understanding and treating chronic pain.
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