The Role of Autophagy and Apoptosis in Neuropathic Pain Formation

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Kwok-Tung Lu¹  Ming-Feng Liao²  Long-Sun Ro²  Chih-Hong Lee²  Mei-Yun Cheng²  Jung-Lung Hsu² 

[1] Department of Life Science, School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 106, Taiwan;Linkou Medical Center, Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan;

关键词: neuropathic pain;    autophagy;    apoptosis;    proinflammatory cytokines;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms23052685

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Neuropathic pain indicates pain caused by damage to the somatosensory system and is difficult to manage and treat. A new treatment strategy urgently needs to be developed. Both autophagy and apoptosis are critical adaptive mechanisms when neurons encounter stress or damage. Recent studies have shown that, after nerve damage, both autophagic and apoptotic activities in the injured nerve, dorsal root ganglia, and spinal dorsal horn change over time. Many studies have shown that upregulated autophagic activities may help myelin clearance, promote nerve regeneration, and attenuate pain behavior. On the other hand, there is no direct evidence that the inhibition of apoptotic activities in the injured neurons can attenuate pain behavior. Most studies have only shown that agents can simultaneously attenuate pain behavior and inhibit apoptotic activities in the injured dorsal root ganglia. Autophagy and apoptosis can crosstalk with each other through various proteins and proinflammatory cytokine expressions. Proinflammatory cytokines can promote both autophagic/apoptotic activities and neuropathic pain formation, whereas autophagy can inhibit proinflammatory cytokine activities and further attenuate pain behaviors. Thus, agents that can enhance autophagic activities but suppress apoptotic activities on the injured nerve and dorsal root ganglia can treat neuropathic pain. Here, we summarized the evolving changes in apoptotic and autophagic activities in the injured nerve, dorsal root ganglia, spinal cord, and brain after nerve damage. This review may help in further understanding the treatment strategy for neuropathic pain during nerve injury by modulating apoptotic/autophagic activities and proinflammatory cytokines in the nervous system.

【 授权许可】

Unknown