Basic Mechanisms of Pain in Osteoarthritis: Experimental Observations and New Perspectives

Anne-Marie Malfait; Rachel E Miller; Richard J Miller

doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2020.12.002

Basic Mechanisms of Pain in Osteoarthritis: Experimental Observations and New Perspectives

Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2021 May;47(2):165-180. doi: 10.1016/j.rdc.2020.12.002.

Authors

Anne-Marie Malfait¹, Rachel E Miller², Richard J Miller³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Room 714, 1735 W Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. Electronic address: anne-marie_malfait@rush.edu.
² Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Room 714, 1735 W Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
³ Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University, Searle Building Room 8-510, 320 E Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.

Abstract

The specific changes in the peripheral neuronal pathways underlying joint pain in osteoarthritis are the focus of this review. The plasticity of the nociceptive system in osteoarthritis and how this involves changes in the structural, physiologic, and genetic properties of neurons in pain pathways are discussed. The role of the neurotrophin, nerve growth factor, in these pathogenic processes is discussed. Finally, how neuronal pathways are modified by interaction with the degenerating joint tissues they innervate and with the innate immune system is considered. These extensive cellular interactions provide a substrate for identification of targets for osteoarthritis pain.

Keywords: DRG neurons; Innate immunity; NGF; Osteoarthritis; Pain; Sensitization.

Basic Mechanisms of Pain in Osteoarthritis: Experimental Observations and New Perspectives

Authors

Affiliations

Abstract

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