Single-cell RNA sequencing in the context of neuropathic pain: progress, challenges, and prospects.

Neuropathic pain, characterized by persistent or intermittent spontaneous pain as well as some unpleasant abnormal sensations, is one of the most prevalent health problems in the world. Ectopic nerve activity, central and peripheral nociceptive sensitization and many other potential mechanisms may participate in neuropathic pain. The complexity and ambiguity of neuropathic pain mechanisms result in difficulties in pain management, and existing treatment plans provide less-than-satisfactory relief. In recent years, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has been increasingly applied and has become a powerful means for biological researchers to explore the complexity of neurobiology. This technique can be used to perform unbiased, high-throughput and high-resolution transcriptional analyses of neuropathic pain-associated cells, improving the understanding of neuropathic pain mechanisms and enabling individualized pain management. To date, scRNA-seq has been preliminarily used in neuropathic pain research for applications such as compiling a dorsal root ganglion atlas, identifying new cell types and discovering gene regulatory networks associated with neuropathic pain. Although scRNA-seq is a relatively new technique in the neuropathic pain field, there have been several studies based on animal models. However, because of the various differences between animals and humans, more attention should be given to translational medicine research. With the aid of scRNA-seq, researchers can further explore the mechanism of neuropathic pain to improve the clinical understanding of the diagnosis, treatment and management of neuropathic pain.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of independent risk factors for postherpetic neuralgia.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the independent risk factors for postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). METHODS: Related studies of PHN risk factors were searched in PubMed for screening and meta-analysis. In this study, data from studies included were extracted and summarized, including odds ratio (OR) value, 95% confidence interval (CI), P value, sample size, and the number of patients with and without PHN. The chi-square test was used for heterogeneity test. Sensitivity analysis was conducted by excluding low-quality studies and using different model analysis. RESULTS: A total of 14 studies were further screened for meta-analysis, including 4,192 patients with herpes zoster. Of these patients, 478 (11.40%) had neuralgia and 3,714 (88.60%) did not have neuralgia. Age [OR =1.59; 95% CI: (1.23, 2.04); Z=3.62; P<0.001], acute severe pain in the herpes stage [OR =1.49; 95% CI: (1.08, 2.08); Z=2.39; P=0.02], prodromal symptoms [OR =2.00; 95% CI: (1.16, 3.44); Z=2.48; P=0.01], and severe rash [OR =2.40; 95% CI: (1.83, 3.14); Z=6.38; P<0.001] were independent risk factors for PHN. The funnel chart shows that there is no publication bias or geographic bias in the above independent risk factors. Gender (Z=0.37; P=0.71) was not associated with PHN, and the funnel chart shows that there is no publication bias or geographic bias. DISCUSSION: Age, acute pain, prodromal symptoms, and severe rash were independent risk factors for PHN.