Toll-like receptor 4: the potential therapeutic target for neuropathic pain.
10.3881/j.issn.1000-503X.2012.02.013
- Author:
Ze-jun JIA
1
;
Fei-xiang WU
;
Qing-hai HUANG
;
Jian-min LIU
Author Information
1. Department of Neurosurgery, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Humans;
Neuralgia;
drug therapy;
physiopathology;
Toll-Like Receptor 4;
antagonists & inhibitors;
physiology
- From:
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae
2012;34(2):168-173
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Activation of microglia plays a vital role in the initiation and maintenance of specific neuropathic pain states. By activating microglia in central nervous system, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) can promote the release of proinflammatory cytokines and neuroactive compounds, participate in the initiation and maintenance of neuropathic pain, and trigger the opiate side effects. Therefore, TLR4 may be a potential therapeutic target for neuropathic pain. Inhibition of TLR4 has shown some biological effects in neuropathic pain models and ibudilast (the TLR4 pathway-inhibiting agent) has been approved for for phase 2 clinical trials. This article briefly reviews the structure, function, and mechanism of TLR4 as well as the development of TLR4-targeted drugs.
