Microbiota: a novel regulator of pain
- 31 March 2020
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Journal of Neural Transmission
- Vol. 127 (4), 445-465
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-019-02083-z
Abstract
Among the various regulators of the nervous system, the gut microbiota has been recently described to have the potential to modulate neuronal cells activation. While bacteria-derived products can induce aversive responses and influence pain perception, recent work suggests that "abnormal" microbiota is associated with neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Here we review how the gut microbiota modulates afferent sensory neurons function and pain, highlighting the role of the microbiota/gut/brain axis in the control of behaviors and neurological diseases. We outline the changes in gut microbiota, known as dysbiosis, and their influence on painful gastrointestinal disorders. Furthermore, both direct host/microbiota interaction that implicates activation of "pain-sensing" neurons by metabolites, or indirect communication via immune activation is discussed. Finally, treatment options targeting the gut microbiota, including pre- or probiotics, will be proposed. Further studies on microbiota/nervous system interaction should lead to the identification of novel microbial ligands and host receptor-targeted drugs, which could ultimately improve chronic pain management and well-being.Keywords
This publication has 232 references indexed in Scilit:
- Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and Faecalibacterium prausnitziiinfluence the production of mucus glycans and the development of goblet cells in the colonic epithelium of a gnotobiotic model rodentBMC Biology, 2013
- Probiotics VSL#3 Protect against Development of Visceral Pain in Murine Model of Irritable Bowel SyndromePLOS ONE, 2013
- Diversity, stability and resilience of the human gut microbiotaNature, 2012
- Emerging role of Toll-like receptors in the control of pain and itchNeuroscience Bulletin, 2012
- Lipopolysaccharide From Porphyromonas gingivalis Sensitizes Capsaicin-Sensitive NociceptorsJournal of Endodontics, 2011
- Pyrosequencing study of fecal microflora of autistic and control childrenAnaerobe, 2010
- The role of pattern-recognition receptors in innate immunity: update on Toll-like receptorsNature Immunology, 2010
- Pathogen recognition receptors, cancer and inflammation in the gutCurrent Opinion in Pharmacology, 2009
- Recognition of microorganisms and activation of the immune responseNature, 2007
- Culture independent analysis of ileal mucosa reveals a selective increase in invasive Escherichia coli of novel phylogeny relative to depletion of Clostridiales in Crohn's disease involving the ileumThe ISME Journal, 2007