The role of connexin43 in neuropathic pain induced by spinal cord injury

Neuropathic pain is caused by the damage or dysfunction of the nervous system. In many neuropathic pain models, there is an increase in the number of gap junction (GJ) channels, especially the upregulation of the expression of connexin43 (Cx43), leading to the secretion of various types of cytokines...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta biochimica et biophysica Sinica 2019-06, Vol.51 (6), p.555-560
Main Authors: Wang, Anhui, Xu, Changshui
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Astrocytes - drug effects
Astrocytes - metabolism
Carbenoxolone - therapeutic use
Central Nervous System - drug effects
Central Nervous System - metabolism
Central Nervous System - physiopathology
Connexin 43 - antagonists & inhibitors
Connexin 43 - metabolism
Gap Junctions - drug effects
Gap Junctions - metabolism
Humans
Molecular Targeted Therapy - methods
Neuralgia - metabolism
Neuralgia - physiopathology
Neuralgia - prevention & control
Spinal Cord Injuries - drug therapy
Spinal Cord Injuries - metabolism
Spinal Cord Injuries - physiopathology
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Summary:Neuropathic pain is caused by the damage or dysfunction of the nervous system. In many neuropathic pain models, there is an increase in the number of gap junction (GJ) channels, especially the upregulation of the expression of connexin43 (Cx43), leading to the secretion of various types of cytokines and involvement in the formation of neuropathic pain. GJs are widely distributed in mammalian organs and tissues, and Cx43 is the most abundant connexin (Cx) in mammals. Astrocytes are the most abundant glial cell type in the central nervous system (CNS), which mainly express Cx43. More importantly, GJs play an important role in regulating cell metabolism, signaling, and function. Many existing literatures showed that Cx43 plays an important role in the nervous system, especially in the CNS under normal and pathological conditions. However, many internal mechanisms have not yet been thoroughly explored. In this review, we summarized the current understanding of the role and association of Cx and pannexin channels in neuropathic pain, especially after spinal cord injury, as well as some of our own insights and thoughts which suggest that Cx43 may become an emerging therapeutic target for future neuropathic pain, bringing new hope to patients.
ISSN:1672-9145
1745-7270
DOI:10.1093/abbs/gmz038