The emerging role of the BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway in the modulation of pain perception

Natalia Cappoli; Elisabetta Tabolacci; Paola Aceto; Cinzia Dello Russo

doi:10.1016/j.jneuroim.2020.577406

The emerging role of the BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway in the modulation of pain perception

J Neuroimmunol. 2020 Dec 15:349:577406. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2020.577406. Epub 2020 Sep 24.

Authors

Natalia Cappoli¹, Elisabetta Tabolacci², Paola Aceto³, Cinzia Dello Russo⁴

Affiliations

¹ Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Dipartimento di Sicurezza e Bioetica, Sezione di Farmacologia, Rome, Italy.
² Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e Sanità Pubblica, Sezione di Medicina Genomica, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
³ Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Emergenza, Anestesiologiche e della Rianimazione, Rome, Italy; Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Dipartimento di Scienze biotecnologiche di base, cliniche intensivologiche e perioperatorie, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: paola.aceto@policlinicogemelli.it.
⁴ Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Dipartimento di Sicurezza e Bioetica, Sezione di Farmacologia, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.

PMID: 33002723
DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2020.577406

Abstract

The brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a crucial neuromodulator in pain transmission both in peripheral and central nervous system (CNS). Despite evidence of a pro-nociceptive role of BDNF, recent studies have reported contrasting results, including anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. Moreover, BDNF polymorphisms can interfere with BDNF role in pain perception. In Val66Met carriers, the Met allele may have a dual role, with anti-nociceptive actions in normal condition and pro-nociceptive effects during chronic pain. In order to elucidate the main effects of BDNF in nociception, we reviewed the main characteristics of this neurotrophin, focusing on its involvement in pain.

Keywords: Brain derived neurotrophic factor; Inflammatory pain; Microglia; Molecular biomarkers; Neuropathic pain.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Biomarkers / metabolism
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / biosynthesis*
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / pharmacology
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / therapeutic use
Humans
Membrane Glycoproteins / biosynthesis*
Pain Perception / drug effects
Pain Perception / physiology*
Receptor, trkB / biosynthesis*
Signal Transduction / drug effects
Signal Transduction / physiology*

Substances

Biomarkers
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
Membrane Glycoproteins
BDNF protein, human
Receptor, trkB
tropomyosin-related kinase-B, human