Male-Dominant Spinal Microglia Contribute to Neuropathic Pain by Producing CC-Chemokine Ligand 4 Following Peripheral Nerve Injury.

ABSTRACT: Recent studies have revealed marked sex differences in pathophysiological roles of spinal microglia in neuropathic pain, with microglia contributing to pain exacerbation exclusively in males. However, the characteristics of pain-enhancing microglia, which are more prominent in males, remain poorly understood. Here, we reanalyzed a previously published single-cell RNA sequencing dataset and identified a microglial subpopulation that significantly increases in the spinal dorsal horn (SDH) of male mice following peripheral nerve injury. CC-chemokine ligand 4 (CCL4) was highly expressed in this subpopulation and its mRNA levels were increased in the SDH after partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSL) only in male mice. Notably, CCL4 expression was reduced in male mice following microglial depletion

SUBMITTER: Saika F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11987877 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature