The authors show that peripheral nerve injury induces de novo expression of colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF1) in the injured sensory and motoneurons. CSF1, transported through axons, acts on its receptor on spinal cord microglia, inducing microglia proliferation and DAP12-dependent upregulation of pain-related microglial genes, eventually leading to neuropathic pain.
- Zhonghui Guan
- Julia A Kuhn
- Allan I Basbaum
