Olfactory ensheathing cells as candidate cells for chronic pain treatment

• Published in: Journal of chemical neuroanatomy Vol. 137; p. 102413
• Main Authors: Liu, Mei-chen, Guo, Qing-fa, Zhang, Wei-wei, Luo, Hong-liang, Zhang, Wen-jun, Hu, Hai-jun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.04.2024
• Subjects: Animals; Cell therapy; Cell Transplantation - methods; Chronic pain; Chronic Pain - therapy; Humans; Molecular mechanism; Neuroglia; Olfactory Bulb - cytology; Olfactory ensheathing cells; Cell therapy; Olfactory ensheathing cells; Molecular mechanism; Chronic pain
• ISSN: 0891-0618; 1873-6300
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2024.102413

Chronic pain is often accompanied by tissue damage and pain hypersensitivity. It easily relapses and is challenging to cure, which seriously affects the patients’ quality of life and is an urgent problem to be solved. Current treatment methods primarily rely on morphine drugs, which do not address the underlying nerve injury and may cause adverse reactions. Therefore, in recent years, scientists have shifted their focus from chronic pain treatment to cell transplantation. This review describes the classification and mechanism of chronic pain through the introduction of the characteristics of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs), an in-depth discussion of special glial cells through the phagocytosis of nerve debris, receptor-ligand interactions, providing nutrition, and other inhibition of neuroinflammation, and ultimately supporting axon regeneration and mitigation of chronic pain. This review summarizes the potential and limitations of OECs for treating chronic pain by objectively analyzing relevant clinical trials and methods to enhance efficacy and future development prospects. •Comprehensive synthesis of the characteristics of OECs.•The pathological mechanism of chronic pain was discussed.•The functional application and potential value of OECs in chronic pain were discussed.