Role of Neuroimmune Crosstalk in Mediating the Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effects of Acupuncture on Inflammatory Pain

Frontiers in Neuroscience

Yangyang Liu¹  Yongming Guo¹  Wen Fan¹  Lixin Tian²  Shenjun Wang³  Xiaowei Lin³  Zhongxi Lyu³  Ningcen Li⁴  Yinan Gong⁴  Bo Chen⁴  Yanan Li⁴  Zhihan Chen⁴  Jie Ma⁴  Yuxin Fang⁴  Baomin Dou⁴  Yi Guo⁵  Yuan Xu⁵  Zhifang Xu⁵ 

[1] Moxibustion and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China;Department of Rehabilitation Physical Therapy Course, Faculty of Health Science, Suzuka University of Medical Science, Suzuka, Japan;National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China;Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China;;School of Acupuncture &

关键词: acupuncture;    inflammatory pain;    analgesia;    neuroimmune crosstalk;    anti-inflammation;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fnins.2021.695670

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Inflammatory pain is caused by peripheral tissue injury and inflammation. Inflammation leads to peripheral sensitization, which may further cause central sensitization, resulting in chronic pain and progressive functional disability. Neuroimmune crosstalk plays an essential role in the development and maintenance of inflammatory pain. Studies in recent years have shown that acupuncture can exert anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects by regulating peripheral (i.e., involving local acupoints and inflamed regions) and central neuroimmune interactions. At the local acupoints, acupuncture can activate the TRPV1 and TRPV2 channels of mast cells, thereby promoting degranulation and the release of histamine, adenosine, and other immune mediators, which interact with receptors on nerve endings and initiate neuroimmune regulation. At sites of inflammation, acupuncture enables the recruitment of immune cells, causing the release of opioid peptides, while also exerting direct analgesic effects via nerve endings. Furthermore, acupuncture promotes the balance of immune cells and regulates the release of inflammatory factors, thereby reducing the stimulation of nociceptive receptors in peripheral organs. Acupuncture also alleviates peripheral neurogenic inflammation by inhibiting the release of substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide from the dorsal root ganglia. At the central nervous system level, acupuncture inhibits the crosstalk between glial cells and neurons by inhibiting the p38 MAPK, ERK, and JNK signaling pathways and regulating the release of inflammatory mediators. It also reduces the excitability of the pain pathway by reducing the release of excitatory neurotransmitters and promoting the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters from neurons and glial cells. In conclusion, the regulation of neuroimmune crosstalk at the peripheral and central levels mediates the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of acupuncture on inflammatory pain in an integrated manner. These findings provide novel insights enabling the clinical application of acupuncture in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

【 授权许可】

Unknown