Research progress in the role of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family in pain mechanism

Abstract

Background Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family ligands have potent neurotrophic activity and play an important role in the survival and development of central and peripheral neurons. The members of GDNF family, GDNF, artemin and their specific receptors: GDNF family receptor (GFR) α1 and GFRα3 are crucial in the pathogenesis of pain. They are novel targets for the development of analgesics and pain management drugs. Objective It is promising to develop novel pain treatments drugs that targets GDNF, artemin and their specific receptors GFRα1 and GFRα3. Content This article reviews the advances of basic and clinical studies on the involvement of GDNF, artemin and their specific receptors GFRα1 and GFRα3 in the pathogenesis of pain and related drug development. Trend Both basic and clinical studies have shown that GDNF, artemin and their specific receptors GFRα1 and GFRα3 play pivotal role in pain. But their roles in pain may be distinct in different kinds of pain. If new drugs targeting GDNF, artemin or their specific receptors can be developed and be used to treat a specific type of pain, it will be a great progress in pain treatment. Key words: Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor; Receptor; Pain