Role of glial cells in the spinal cord in somatosensory information processing

Abstract

Neuropathic pain occurs after damage to the nervous system caused by cancer, diabetes, infection, or trauma. Studies on the mechanisms underlying neuropathic pain had long focused on the role of neurons in the nervous system. Accumulating evidence indicates that glial cells (in particular, microglia and astrocytes) in the spinal dorsal horn rapidly respond to peripheral nerve injury and become activated, with changing expression of a variety of genes. Because controlling the function of these glial cells suppresses the development or maintenance of neuropathic pain, glial cells are crucial for understanding the mechanisms of neuropathic pain and are potential targets for treating this pain. This review highlights recent advances in our understanding of somatosensory information processing in the spinal dorsal horn and the role of glial cells.