Immune regulation of pain: Friend and foe

The immune system and the peripheral sensory nervous system communicate through hardwired and humoral routes using shared mediators and receptors. On the basis of studies on pain sensitivity in rodents, the immune system can be viewed as both friend and foe. T cells and macrophages enhance pain via proinflammatory mediators and promote pain resolution via anti-inflammatory mediators and endogenous opioids.

Automated summary

The immune system and peripheral sensory nervous system communicate through shared mediators and receptors, playing both proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory roles. T cells and macrophages can enhance pain sensitivity while also promoting pain resolution.