A review of preclinical research on mechanically gated ion channels as therapeutic targets in neuropathic pain

BACKGROUND: Neuropathic pain (NP), resulting from damage or disease affecting the somatosensory nervous system, severely impairs patients' quality of life and constitutes a substantial global disease burden. Recent evidence highlights the critical involvement of mechanosensitive ion channels in peripheral nociception. DISCUSSION: This review systematically examines the roles of key mechanosensitive channels in NP pathophysiology. TRPV4 mediates mechanical allodynia via ion flux modulation and neuroinflammation; TRPC6 enhances neuronal excitability through calcium dynamics and MAPK/mTOR signaling; TRPA1 regulates pain through neuronal and Schwann cell mechanisms involving the NOX1-oxidative stress-CXCL1 axis and myelin disruption; TREK channels attenuate pain by stabilizing resting membrane potential; TMEM family members modulate neuroimmune signaling; and Piezo2 critically contributes to mechanical and inflammatory hypersensitivity. These mechanisms reveal significant translational potential for analgesic development. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted modulation of mechanosensitive ion channels represents a promising strategy for developing effective, non-addictive analgesics. This review establishes a theoretical foundation for understanding NP pathophysiology and identifies actionable therapeutic targets with substantial clinical relevance.