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Glial cells in neuropathic pain
Temugin Berta1, Arkady Khoutorsky2, Jing Xu3
1Pain Research Center, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States.
Physiological Reviews
|May 11, 2026
Summary
Glial cells, including microglia, astrocytes, and satellite glial cells, play a key role in neuropathic pain. Targeting these glial cells offers promising new therapeutic strategies for this debilitating condition.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pain Research
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Neuropathic pain is a prevalent, debilitating condition with limited treatment options.
- Glial cells (microglia, astrocytes, satellite glial cells) are increasingly implicated in pain development and maintenance.
- Neuropathic pain is viewed as a gliopathy, where glial cell dysfunction drives pain hypersensitivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of glial cell involvement in neuropathic pain.
- To focus on microglia, astrocytes, and satellite glial cells.
- To evaluate emerging glial-targeted therapies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of preclinical evidence.
- Analysis of glial cell roles in neuropathic pain mechanisms.
- Examination of neuroinflammation and neuro-glial interactions.
Main Results:
- Glial cell activation is central to peripheral and central sensitization in neuropathic pain.
- Dysregulated glial activity exacerbates pain hypersensitivity.
- Glial cells are critical mediators of neuroinflammation in pain.
Conclusions:
- Glial cells are essential players in neuropathic pain.
- Targeting glial cell mechanisms presents a promising therapeutic avenue.
- Further research into neuro-glial interactions can inform novel pain treatments.
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