Dual Peripheral Actions of Immune Cells in Neuropa

Authors: Halina Machelska

Publish Date: 2011/01/14

Volume: 59, Issue: 1, Pages: 11-24

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Abstract

Ability to perceive physiological pain is essential in protecting the individual from tissue destruction In contrast pathological chronic pain is an expression of maladaptive alterations outlasting its biological usefulness In such conditions even eating speaking or wearing clothes might be painful as in neuropathic pain Such pain is caused by diseases or injuries affecting nerves eg diabetes trigeminal neuralgia or amputation Neuropathic pain is not an exclusive neuronal phenomenon but also involves immune responses Damaged peripheral nerves are infiltrated by mast cells granulocytes macrophages and T lymphocytes It is widely emphasized that these cells via secretion of inflammatory mediators eg proinflammatory cytokines chemokines contribute to the generation of neuropathic pain However leukocytes are also a source of analgesic mediators such as antiinflammatory cytokines and opioid peptides Recent findings indicate that immune cellderived opioid peptides can interact with opioid receptors in the injured nerves and ameliorate neuropathic pain Targeting opioidcontaining immune cells might represent a new diseasemodifying approach based on the use of beneficial effects of neuroinflammation in painful neuropathies This review analyzes both detrimental and advantageous actions of leukocytes at peripheral nerves in neuropathic pain

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