Role of the P2X4 receptor in neuropathic pain.

Neuropathic pain is the most important type of chronic pain because it is refractory to available medications. Neuropathic pain occurs after peripheral nerve injury (PNI) or nerve damage by various reasons. In recent decades, a growing body of evidence shows that spinal microglia and P2X4 receptor (P2X4R), a subtype of ionotropic ATP receptors, play a principal role in evoking this pain. Understanding the functions of microglial P2X4R in evoking this pain provides potential strategies for developing new treatments for neuropathic pain.