Fig. 1.

lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA axis in NP. The noxious stimulus reaches the spinal dorsal horn via the afferent nerve fibers. Spinal dorsal horn is the center responsible for integrating and processing input information. The output from the spinal cord network is then sent to higher cortical centers. The thalamus and limbic system are important parts of the brain for NP expression. The roles of the lncRNA–miRNA–mRNAs axis in NP was reflected in the DRG, spinal dorsal horn, and brain regions. CCAT1 = colon cancer–associated transcript-1; SGK3 = serum and glucocorticoid–regulated protein kinase 3; XIST = X-inactive specific transcript; SNHG5 = small nucleolar RNA host gene 5; CXCL13 = C-X-C motif chemokine 13; Dusp 1 = Dual-specificity phosphatase 1; ZEB = zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox; TNFAIP1 = tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 1; TLR5 = toll-like receptor 5; STAT3 = signal transducer and activator of transcription 3; AQP9 = aquaporin 9; BDNF = brain-derived neurotrophic factor; HMGB1 = high mobility group protein B1; IL6R = interleukin 6R, JAK1 = Janus kinase 1