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Review
. 2023 Mar 3;11(3):775.
doi: 10.3390/biomedicines11030775.

The Role of miRNAs in Neuropathic Pain

Martina Morchio  1   2 , Emanuele Sher  3 , David A Collier  3 , Daniel W Lambert  1   2 , Fiona M Boissonade  1   2
Affiliations
Review

The Role of miRNAs in Neuropathic Pain

Martina Morchio et al. Biomedicines. .

Abstract

Neuropathic pain is a debilitating condition affecting around 8% of the adult population in the UK. The pathophysiology is complex and involves a wide range of processes, including alteration of neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission, dysregulated intracellular signalling and activation of pro-inflammatory immune and glial cells. In the past 15 years, multiple miRNAs-small non-coding RNA-have emerged as regulators of neuropathic pain development. They act by binding to target mRNAs and preventing the translation into proteins. Due to their short sequence (around 22 nucleotides in length), they can have hundreds of targets and regulate several pathways. Several studies on animal models have highlighted numerous miRNAs that play a role in neuropathic pain development at various stages of the nociceptive pathways, including neuronal excitability, synaptic transmission, intracellular signalling and communication with non-neuronal cells. Studies on animal models do not always translate in the clinic; fewer studies on miRNAs have been performed involving human subjects with neuropathic pain, with differing results depending on the specific aetiology underlying neuropathic pain. Further studies using human tissue and liquid samples (serum, plasma, saliva) will help highlight miRNAs that are relevant to neuropathic pain diagnosis or treatment, as biomarkers or potential drug targets.

Keywords: chronic pain; microRNA; neuropathic pain.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The canonical pathway of miRNA biogenesis.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Diagram showing miRNAs dysregulated in neuropathic pain whose targets are directly involved in (A) cellular excitability and (B) synaptic transmission, verified in animal models. Red downward arrows indicate that the miRNA is downregulated during neuropathic pain, whilst upward green arrows indicate miRNA upregulation in neuropathic pain conditions.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Diagram displaying miRNA dysregulated in neuropathic pain and their targets involved in intracellular signalling. Red downward arrows indicate that the miRNA is downregulated during neuropathic pain, whilst upward green arrows indicate miRNA upregulation in neuropathic pain.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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