The Role of Satellite Glial Cells in Regulating Neuronal Lipid Metabolism and Its Impact on Pain

Satellite glial cells (SGCs) are specialized glial cells that encapsulate neurons in peripheral ganglia, providing structural and functional support. Recent studies suggest that SGCs play a crucial role in regulating neuronal lipid metabolism, which is increasingly recognized as a key factor in modulating neuronal excitability and pain processing. Dysregulated lipid metabolism in neurons has been implicated in neuropathic pain, diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), and other chronic pain conditions. However, the precise mechanisms by which SGCs influence neuronal lipid metabolism and how this affects pain remain poorly understood.


This Research Topic aims to explore the molecular and cellular mechanisms through which SGCs regulate lipid metabolism in neurons and how these interactions contribute to pain modulation. By integrating insights from neuroscience, glial biology, and lipidomics, this collection will provide a comprehensive overview of the emerging role of SGCs in pain pathophysiology. Contributions from diverse research fields, including cellular and molecular biology, electrophysiology, single-cell analysis, and clinical pain research, will be encouraged to provide a holistic understanding of this topic.


This Research Topic will include, but is not limited to, the following themes:


1. SGCs and Lipid Metabolism:

- Molecular pathways by which SGCs regulate lipid synthesis, transport, and degradation in neurons.

- The impact of lipid metabolism on SGC-neuron interactions.


2. SGCs in Neuropathic Pain:

- How lipid metabolic changes in SGCs influence neuronal excitability and pain perception.

- The role of SGCs in chronic pain conditions such as diabetic neuropathy, chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, and post-injury pain.


3. SGCs and Neuroinflammation:

- The interplay between lipid metabolism and inflammatory responses in SGCs.

- How SGC-mediated lipid signaling modulates macrophage polarization and neuroimmune crosstalk.


4. Therapeutic Perspectives:

- Potential pharmacological or genetic interventions targeting SGC lipid metabolism for pain relief.

- Advances in lipidomics-based biomarkers for pain diagnosis and treatment monitoring.


5. Novel Methodologies and Techniques:

- Application of single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and imaging techniques to study SGC-neuron interactions.

- Experimental models and in vivo approaches to investigate SGC function in lipid metabolism and pain.


Article Types:

- Original Research Articles presenting novel experimental findings on SGCs and lipid metabolism in pain.

- Review Articles summarizing current knowledge and future directions in this field.

- Methods Papers describing innovative techniques for studying SGC-neuron interactions in lipid metabolism and pain.

- Case Reports and Clinical Studies providing insights into lipid metabolism-related pain disorders.