The therapeutic potential of natural killer cells in neuropathic pain.

Chronic neuropathic pain greatly impairs the affected individual's quality of life. Development of effective disease-modifying therapies is imperative to alleviate the ongoing public health issues associated with opioid-based treatments. Natural killer (NK) cells possess the capability to target several candidate pain-inducing factors within the PNS, including hyperexcitable sensory neurons, miswired sensory nerve endings, senescent structural cells, and inflammatory immune cells. Comprehensive understanding of NK cell function in various pain diseases may guide the development of novel therapies for neuropathic pain. Novel disease-modifying treatments for neuropathic pain are urgently required. The cellular immune response to nerve injury represents a promising target for therapeutic development. Recently, the role of natural killer (NK) cells in both CNS and PNS disease has been the subject of growing interest. In this opinion article, we set out the case for NK cell-based intervention as a promising avenue for development in the management of neuropathic pain. We explore the potential cellular and molecular targets of NK cells in the PNS by contrasting with their reported functional roles in CNS diseases, and we suggest strategies for using the beneficial functions of NK cells and immune-based therapeutics in the context of neuropathic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]