Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2019, Vol. 23 ›› Issue (33): 5396-5403.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.1840

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Satellite glial cells in dorsal root ganglia: implication for pain regulation

Zhang Xiaozhuo1, Lü Tingting1, Wang Zhaoqin1, Weng Zhijun2, Cui Yunhua2, Zhang Fang2, Zhao Min2, Liu Huirong2, Wu Huangan2   

  1. 1Yueyang Clinical College, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; 2Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai 200030, China
  • Revised:2019-06-18 Online:2019-11-28 Published:2019-11-28
  • Contact: Cui Yunhua, MD, Associate researcher, Master’s supervisor, Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai 200030, China
  • About author:Zhang Xiaozhuo, Master candidate, Yueyang Clinical College, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
  • Supported by:

    the National Program on Key Basic Research Project of China, No. 2015CB554501 (to WHG); the National Natural Science Foundation of China (General Program), No. 81873367 (to WZJ); Shanghai Young Talents Sailing Plan, No. 18YF1421600 (to ZF); Scientific Research Topics of Shanghai Health and Planning Commission, No. 20174Y0015 (to ZF); Shanghai Leading Medical Talents Project (2015), No. 80 (to LHR); Shanghai Three-Year Plan for the Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. ZY(2018-2020)-CCCX-2004-01 (to WHG)

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Satellite glial cells which are the main glial cell type in the dorsal root ganglia can interact and communicate with dorsal root neuron cell bodies through various approaches to be involved in the occurrence and regulation of chronic pain. Previous studies have focused on the sensitized neuronal cell bodies of satellite glial cells, and there is less concern about inhibitory regulation between them. So far there has been no research on their exchange as well as no discussion on their internal relationship.
OBJECTIVE: To review the possible interaction and communication mechanisms between satellite glial cells and neurons in terms of structural morphology, ion channels, protein receptors and interactions between adjacent satellite glial cells.
METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, SinoMed, and CNKI were retrieved with the keywords of “pain, satellite glial cell, DRG, gap junction” for relevant articles published from January 2008 to February 2019. We also traced highly relevant references cited in the literature. Finally, 77 eligible studies were included.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In the dorsal root ganglia, satellite glial cells surround single neurons to form satellite glial sheathes. “Neuron-satellite glial cell” functional units are the base for mutual regulation between adjacent neurons. Majority of the studies have considered that satellite glial cells play an important role in the development and maintenance of chronic pain diseases; however, some studies have found the inhibitory regulation between satellite glial cells and neurons, which activates P2Y1 receptor and glutamate transporters to inhibit the occurrence of pain. Therefore, to regulate P2Y1 receptor and glutamate transporter activities in the dorsal root ganglia can be used as a new target for the treatment of pain.

Key words: pain, satellite glial cells, dorsal root ganglia, gap junction, neurons

CLC Number: