Reordering neuroimmune signaling to prevent and resolve chronic pain.

Abstract

Chronic pain is subserved by interactions between the immune and nervous systems. There has been an historical emphasis on the disordered pro-inflammatory mechanisms that maintain chronic pain. This narrative review will highlight the adaptive benefit of initial pro-inflammatory signaling for the long-term trajectory of pain, as well as pro-resolving mechanisms that can prevent pain from becoming chronic. Importantly, there is potential for these insights to be harnessed for safe, nonaddictive, disease-modifying treatment of pain.