Immune regulation of pain: Friend and foe
Annemieke Kavelaars, Cobi J. Heijnen
Abstract
The immune system and the peripheral sensory nervous system communicate through hardwired and humoral routes using shared mediators and receptors. On the basis of studies on pain sensitivity in rodents, the immune system can be viewed as both friend and foe. T cells and macrophages enhance pain via proinflammatory mediators and promote pain resolution via anti-inflammatory mediators and endogenous opioids.
Topics & Concepts
Immune systemProinflammatory cytokineImmunologyInflammationReceptorEndogenySensory systemMedicineNeuroscienceBiologyInternal medicinePain Mechanisms and TreatmentsStress Responses and CortisolNeuropeptides and Animal Physiology