Glial Cells of the Central Nervous System: A Potential Target in Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome

Figure 2

Schematic diagram of the potential function mechanism of glial cells in CP/CPPS. The black solid lines represent direct action or influence, the black dashed lines represent potential interactions, and the colorful circles represent substances that mediate potential interactions or are directly secreted by glial cells/neurons. Psychosocial symptoms in CP/CPPS may be associated with activated microglia, reactive astrocytes, and potential microglia-neurons interaction in the hippocampus of the brain. Microglia and astrocytes may function through or be activated by TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8. Activated microglia may interact with neurons by microglia-synapse contacts to regulate psychosocial symptoms in CP/CPPS. Pain symptoms in CP/CPPS may be associated with activated microglia, reactive astrocytes, and neurons in the spinal cord. Microglia may function through or be activated by P2X7, TNF-α, IL-1β, CCL3, ERK1/2, P2X4R, BDNF, CCR1, CCR5, and CCL3. Astrocytes may function through or be activated by SP, NK-1R, TNF-α, iNOS, ERK, and Cx43. CXCL1 expressed in reactive astrocytes may be a potential target for pain syndromes in CP/CPPS. CCL2 expressed in reactive astrocytes and neurons may regulate pain symptoms in CP/CPPS.