已发表论文

小胶质细胞在疼痛发病机制及电针镇痛中的表型异质性:机制与治疗潜力

 

Authors Ji D, Lyu Z, Erasmus S, Wu Y , Li X, Chen X, Fang J, Du J, Fang J, Zhou J, Liang Y 

Received 8 June 2025

Accepted for publication 28 October 2025

Published 11 November 2025 Volume 2025:18 Pages 6007—6022

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S545420

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 4

Editor who approved publication: Professor E Alfonso Romero-Sandoval

Dingru Ji,1,* Zhengyi Lyu,2,* Shannah Erasmus,3,* Yuxin Wu,1 Xingzhen Li,1 Xue Chen,1 Junfan Fang,1 Junying Du,1 Jianqiao Fang,1 Jie Zhou,4 Yi Liang1 

1Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Acupuncture and Chinese Tuina, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 3International Education College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Yi Liang, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 0571-86633328, Fax +86 571-86658056, Email liangyiwww@126.com Jie Zhou, Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China, Tel +8615968895450, Fax +86 0571-88393516, Email zhoujie0111@yeah.net

Abstract: Pain is a complex physiological phenomenon driven by dynamic microglial(MG) regulation in the CNS. Aberrant microglial activation mediates neuroinflammation, neuronal hyperexcitability, and synaptic plasticity, exhibiting spatiotemporal and sex-specific heterogeneity. While early pharmacological interventions show time-limited efficacy, electroacupuncture (EA) emerges as a potent non-pharmacological strategy that disrupts microglia-neuron crosstalk via multiple pathways. Critically, EA’s efficacy depends on intervention timing, with early application preventing microglial active in neuropathic models. Recent advances reveal CD11c+ microglia as dual regulators of pain resolution and relapse—clearing myelin debris acutely but driving recurrence via MMP-9-mediated synaptic remodeling. This review synthesizes microglial heterogeneity, stage-specific interventions, and EA’s translational potential in rebalancing microglial phenotypes for precision pain management.

Keywords: microglia, pain, morphology, polarization, inflammation