Immune system consists of specialized cells known as immune cells that release mediators termed as cytokines. Immune system is activated in response to tissue injury or disease and initiates the process of inflammation that results in the development of inflammatory pain. Similarly, injury secondary to disease or lesion to the somatosensory system can activate immune system that causes functional and structural changes in the somatosensory system that results in the development of neuropathic pain. The International Association for Study of Pain (IASP) therefore defines neuropathic pain as pain caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory system. Emerging evidence suggest that immune cytokines play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain in animal models of NP. Human trials confirming such findings are increasing in number, however, failure of therapeutic trials targeting specific cytokines raised controversy. Animal research confirms the role of immune cytokines in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain.
Key words: cytokines, TNF, neuropathic pain
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