Recent findings have suggested a significant involvement of the immune system in the
control of pain. Immune cells contain opioid peptides that are released within inflamed tissue …

Peripheral mechanisms of endogenous pain control are significant. In peripheral inflamed
tissue, an interaction between immune-cell-derived opioids and opioid receptors localized …

Opioid receptors are widely expressed in the central and peripheral nervous system as well
as in numerous nonneuronal tissues. Both animal models and human clinical data support …

Focuses on pain control by immune-derived opioids. Communication between the nervous
system and immune systems through the use of cytokines and neuropeptides; Development …

Pathological pain is regulated by a balance between pro-algesic and analgesic
mechanisms. Interactions between opioid peptide-producing immune cells and peripheral …

Recent research has shown that effective inhibition of pain by endogenous mechanisms can
be generated within peripheral tissue, outside the central nervous system. Studies using …

IMPLICATIONS: The immune system not only contributes to inflammation, but also provides
localized analgesia. A depleted immune system results in a reduction of immune-derived …

The analgesic effects of leukocyte-derived opioids have been exclusively demonstrated for
somatic inflammatory pain, for example, the pain associated with surgery and arthritis …

Neuroimmune interactions control pain through activation of opioid receptors on sensory
nerves by immune-derived opioid peptides. Here we evaluate mechanisms of intrinsic pain …

Pain can be effectively diminished by various endogenous mechanisms within the central
nervous system. One region where these mechanisms have been well characterized is the …