MicroRNA-Based Delivery Systems for Chronic Neuropathic Pain Treatment in Dorsal Root Ganglion
Neuropathic pain is a significant global clinical issue that poses substantial challenges to both public health and the economy due to its complex underlying mechanisms. It has emerged as a serious health concern worldwide. Recent studies involving dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation have provide...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Pharmaceutics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/7/930 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849733392268001280 |
|---|---|
| author | Stefan Jackson Maria Rosa Gigliobianco Cristina Casadidio Piera Di Martino Roberta Censi |
| author_facet | Stefan Jackson Maria Rosa Gigliobianco Cristina Casadidio Piera Di Martino Roberta Censi |
| author_sort | Stefan Jackson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Neuropathic pain is a significant global clinical issue that poses substantial challenges to both public health and the economy due to its complex underlying mechanisms. It has emerged as a serious health concern worldwide. Recent studies involving dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation have provided strong evidence supporting its effectiveness in alleviating chronic pain and its potential for sustaining long-term pain relief. In addition to that, there has been ongoing research with clinical evidence relating to the role of small non-coding ribonucleic acids known as microRNAs in regulating gene expressions affecting pain signals. The signal pathway involves alterations in neuronal excitation, synaptic transmission, dysregulated signaling, and subsequent pro-inflammatory response activation and pain development. When microRNAs are dysregulated in the dorsal root ganglia neurons, they polarize macrophages from anti-inflammatory M2 to inflammatory M1 macrophages causing pain signal generation. By reversing this polarization, a therapeutic activity can be induced. However, the direct delivery of these nucleotides has been challenging due to limitations such as rapid clearance, degradation, and reduction in half-life. Therefore, safe and efficient carrier vehicles are fundamental for microRNA delivery. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of miRNA-based nano-systems for chronic neuropathic pain, focusing on their impact in dorsal root ganglia. This review provides a critical evaluation of various delivery platforms, including viral, polymeric, lipid-based, and inorganic nanocarriers, emphasizing their therapeutic potential as well as their limitations in the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain. Innovative strategies such as hybrid nanocarriers and stimulus-responsive systems are also proposed to enhance the prospects for clinical translation. Serving as a roadmap for future research, this review aims to guide the development and optimization of miRNA-based therapies for effective and sustained neuropathic pain management. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e44eb2c8a9824ef1bad572cf32145ee7 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1999-4923 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pharmaceutics |
| spelling | doaj-art-e44eb2c8a9824ef1bad572cf32145ee72025-08-20T03:08:02ZengMDPI AGPharmaceutics1999-49232025-07-0117793010.3390/pharmaceutics17070930MicroRNA-Based Delivery Systems for Chronic Neuropathic Pain Treatment in Dorsal Root GanglionStefan Jackson0Maria Rosa Gigliobianco1Cristina Casadidio2Piera Di Martino3Roberta Censi4ChIP Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project Research Centre, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, MC, ItalyDepartment of Pharmacy, “G. D’Annunzio” of Chieti and Pescara University, Via dei Vestini 1, 66100 Chieti, CH, ItalyChIP Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project Research Centre, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, MC, ItalyDepartment of Pharmacy, “G. D’Annunzio” of Chieti and Pescara University, Via dei Vestini 1, 66100 Chieti, CH, ItalyChIP Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project Research Centre, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, MC, ItalyNeuropathic pain is a significant global clinical issue that poses substantial challenges to both public health and the economy due to its complex underlying mechanisms. It has emerged as a serious health concern worldwide. Recent studies involving dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation have provided strong evidence supporting its effectiveness in alleviating chronic pain and its potential for sustaining long-term pain relief. In addition to that, there has been ongoing research with clinical evidence relating to the role of small non-coding ribonucleic acids known as microRNAs in regulating gene expressions affecting pain signals. The signal pathway involves alterations in neuronal excitation, synaptic transmission, dysregulated signaling, and subsequent pro-inflammatory response activation and pain development. When microRNAs are dysregulated in the dorsal root ganglia neurons, they polarize macrophages from anti-inflammatory M2 to inflammatory M1 macrophages causing pain signal generation. By reversing this polarization, a therapeutic activity can be induced. However, the direct delivery of these nucleotides has been challenging due to limitations such as rapid clearance, degradation, and reduction in half-life. Therefore, safe and efficient carrier vehicles are fundamental for microRNA delivery. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of miRNA-based nano-systems for chronic neuropathic pain, focusing on their impact in dorsal root ganglia. This review provides a critical evaluation of various delivery platforms, including viral, polymeric, lipid-based, and inorganic nanocarriers, emphasizing their therapeutic potential as well as their limitations in the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain. Innovative strategies such as hybrid nanocarriers and stimulus-responsive systems are also proposed to enhance the prospects for clinical translation. Serving as a roadmap for future research, this review aims to guide the development and optimization of miRNA-based therapies for effective and sustained neuropathic pain management.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/7/930miRNAdorsal root gangliadrug deliverygene deliverybiomaterialspolymers |
| spellingShingle | Stefan Jackson Maria Rosa Gigliobianco Cristina Casadidio Piera Di Martino Roberta Censi MicroRNA-Based Delivery Systems for Chronic Neuropathic Pain Treatment in Dorsal Root Ganglion Pharmaceutics miRNA dorsal root ganglia drug delivery gene delivery biomaterials polymers |
| title | MicroRNA-Based Delivery Systems for Chronic Neuropathic Pain Treatment in Dorsal Root Ganglion |
| title_full | MicroRNA-Based Delivery Systems for Chronic Neuropathic Pain Treatment in Dorsal Root Ganglion |
| title_fullStr | MicroRNA-Based Delivery Systems for Chronic Neuropathic Pain Treatment in Dorsal Root Ganglion |
| title_full_unstemmed | MicroRNA-Based Delivery Systems for Chronic Neuropathic Pain Treatment in Dorsal Root Ganglion |
| title_short | MicroRNA-Based Delivery Systems for Chronic Neuropathic Pain Treatment in Dorsal Root Ganglion |
| title_sort | microrna based delivery systems for chronic neuropathic pain treatment in dorsal root ganglion |
| topic | miRNA dorsal root ganglia drug delivery gene delivery biomaterials polymers |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/7/930 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT stefanjackson micrornabaseddeliverysystemsforchronicneuropathicpaintreatmentindorsalrootganglion AT mariarosagigliobianco micrornabaseddeliverysystemsforchronicneuropathicpaintreatmentindorsalrootganglion AT cristinacasadidio micrornabaseddeliverysystemsforchronicneuropathicpaintreatmentindorsalrootganglion AT pieradimartino micrornabaseddeliverysystemsforchronicneuropathicpaintreatmentindorsalrootganglion AT robertacensi micrornabaseddeliverysystemsforchronicneuropathicpaintreatmentindorsalrootganglion |