CX3CR1/P2X4R signaling-mediated spinal microglial M1 polarization contributes to chronic pelvic pain in endometriosis - PubMed
4 days ago
- #microglial polarization
- #endometriosis
- #chronic pain
- Deeply infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is linked to chronic pelvic pain (CPP) due to peripheral-central sensitization.
- Endometriosis patients and mouse models showed increased pain sensitivity and nerve fiber infiltration.
- Ectopic lesions exhibited inflammatory mediators and vascular injury, contributing to peripheral sensitization.
- Spinal microglia in endometriosis mice showed M1 polarization via CX3CR1/P2X4R-mediated IκBα/NF-κB signaling.
- M1 microglia released pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOS), driving central neuroinflammation and sensitization.
- Pharmacological inhibition of CX3CR1/P2X4R reduced pain hypersensitivity and lesion progression in mice.
- The CX3CR1/P2X4R-NFκB pathway is a potential therapeutic target for endometriosis-associated chronic pain.