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The complement system: a potential target for the comorbidity of chronic pain and depression

Shanshan Tang1,2, Wen Hu1,2, Helin Zou1,2

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.

The Korean Journal of Pain
|March 4, 2024
PubMed

Insights

The complement system, involving proteins like C1q and C3, plays a key role in chronic pain and depression. Targeting this system offers a potential shared therapy for these interconnected conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Chronic pain and depression frequently coexist, yet their underlying mechanisms are not fully understood.
  • The complement system, a part of innate immunity, is implicated in various central nervous system diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on the complement system's role in the comorbidity of chronic pain and depression.
  • To propose the complement system as a potential shared therapeutic target for these conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on studies investigating the complement system in chronic pain and depression.
  • Analysis of specific complement proteins (C1q, C3, C5) and receptors (C3aR, CR3, C5aR) and their functions.

Main Results:

  • Key complement components (C1q, C3, C5, C3a, C5a) and receptors (C3aR, CR3, C5aR) are implicated in the comorbid mechanisms.
  • Potential mechanisms include microglial activation, synaptic pruning in the amygdala and hippocampus, astrocyte-microglia interactions, and central nervous system inflammation.

Conclusions:

  • The complement system is a significant factor in the pathophysiology of chronic pain and depression comorbidity.
  • Targeting the complement system presents a promising therapeutic strategy for managing both conditions concurrently.

Keywords:
AstrocytesCentral Nervous SystemChronic PainComorbidityComplement System ProteinsDepressionInflammationMicrogliaNeuronal Plasticity

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