“Neuropathic pain can develop after nerve injury, leading to a chronic condition with spontaneous pain and hyperalgesia.
Pain is typically restricted to the side of the injured nerve, but may occasionally spread to the contralateral side, a condition that is often referred to as mirror-image pain.
Mechanisms leading to mirror-image pain are not completely understood, but cannabinoid CB2 receptors have been implicated.
In this study, we use genetic mouse models to address the question if CB2 receptors on neurons or on microglia/macrophages are involved.
We conclude that CB2 receptors on microglia and macrophages, but not on neurons, modulate neuropathic pain responses.”