Fig. 6

Hypothetical contribution of inflammatory cytokines in migraine headache. Activation of immune cells alters the trigeminovascular microenvironment via the release of inflammatory molecules, such as cytokines and chemokines. These molecules cause vasodilation of dural vasculature and influence tight junction between endothelial cells. Activated trigeminal neurons transmit signals for the higher brain regions, which result in pain and hypersensitivity. CCL3: C-C motif ligand 3, CXCL1: C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1, CXCL2: C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2, CXCL3: C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 3, EC: endothelial cell, IL-1β: interleukin-1β, IL-8: interleukin-8, TCC: trigeminocervical complex, TNF: tumor necrosis factor, TG: trigeminal ganglion