Olfactory ensheathing cells and neuropathic pain

Abstract

Damage to the nervous system can lead to functional impairment, including sensory and motor functions. Importantly, neuropathic pain (NPP) can be induced after nerve injury, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients. Therefore, the repair of nerve damage and the treatment of pain are particularly important. However, the current treatment of NPP is very weak, which promotes researchers to find new methods and directions for treatment. Recently, cell transplantation technology has received great attention and has become a hot spot for the treatment of nerve injury and pain. Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) are a kind of glial cells with the characteristics of lifelong survival in the nervous system and continuous division and renewal. They also secrete a variety of neurotrophic factors, bridge the fibers at both ends of the injured nerve, change the local injury microenvironment, and promote axon regeneration and other biological functions. Different studies have revealed that the transplantation of OECs can repair damaged nerves and exert analgesic effect. Some progress has been made in the effect of OECs transplantation in inhibiting NPP. Therefore, in this paper, we provided a comprehensive overview of the biology of OECs, described the possible pathogenesis of NPP. Moreover, we discussed on the therapeutic effect of OECs transplantation on central nervous system injury and NPP, and prospected some possible problems of OECs transplantation as pain treatment. To provide some valuable information for the treatment of pain by OECs transplantation in the future.

Potential therapeutic effect of olfactory ensheathing cells in neurological diseases: neurodegenerative diseases and peripheral nerve injuries

“…The fifth challenge is that for peripheral neurodegenerative diseases, OECs transplantation can protect injured neurons, promote axonal regeneration and repair injured nerves by secreting neurotrophic factors. However, these factors such as BDNF and NGF can also be used as pain-related molecules ( 11 , 47 ). It may lead to pathological pain in the process of repairing injured nerve.…”

“…The function of OECs in the treatment of neurological diseases includes secreted active biomolecules, such as neurotrophic factors, VEGF, NT-3 and extracellular matrix. The production of these secretions provides a good nutritional basis for axonal regeneration and myelination ( 11 , 12 ). Moreover, OECs can exert neuroprotection and immune regulation to improve the activity of immune cells in nerve injury, reduce nerve injury and nerve inflammation, and play a therapeutic role ( 11 , 13 , 14 ).…”

“…The production of these secretions provides a good nutritional basis for axonal regeneration and myelination ( 11 , 12 ). Moreover, OECs can exert neuroprotection and immune regulation to improve the activity of immune cells in nerve injury, reduce nerve injury and nerve inflammation, and play a therapeutic role ( 11 , 13 , 14 ). All these reflect the potential and sustainability of OECs in the treatment of neurological diseases.…”

“…OECs can be successfully cultured in vitro , which lays a foundation for the study of OECs in nerve regeneration and tissue repair ( 17 ). It is worth mentioning that OECs derived from olfactory mucosa and olfactory bulb express different characteristics, have heterogeneity, and play different roles in the repair of nerve injury ( 11 , 18 ). OECs derived from olfactory mucosa can regulate the process of inflammation and the formation of extracellular matrix, but the ability of regeneration is poor.…”