Nociceptors

Nociceptors are a subset of sensory neurons that relay painful stimuli from the peripheral tissues. Multiple nociceptor subtypes exist and can respond to different thermal, mechanical, or chemical noxious stimuli. Recent findings with transcriptomics have identified gene expression patterns that classify these sub-types by different ion channels including NaV1.7, NaV1.8, NaV1.9, TRPV1, TRPA1, P2X3, HCN and a number of others that have been implicated in pain. In this study, we have identified a method to rapidly generate a novel TRPA1+ human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived sensor

Burns of diverse etiologies pose a significant health burden, resulting in varying levels of tissue damage and pain. Despite extensive research utilizing mouse models to elucidate burn-induced pain and recovery, discrepancies across different methodologies underscore the intricate complexity of burn pain and the necessity of standardized burn injury paradigms. To address this limitation, we developed the Burn Injury by Repeated Heat Exposure (BIRHE) model. By laying the hind paw for 10-seconds to a 52°C plate for 10 or 20 repetitions we reproducibly induce distinct pain intensities. We used th

…that D4R in the terminals of primary nociceptors contributes to the anti-nociceptive eff

The initiation of somatic touch sensation begins with direct pressure stimulation of mechanically activated (MA) channels located in the nerve endings of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. PIEZO1 has been identified as a rapidly adapting MA channel, yet its involvement in mechanical pain remains unknown. Here, we employed fluorescence in situ hybridization, calcium imaging, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings, and behavioral assays in mice to elucidate the pivotal role of PIEZO1 in mechanical pain transmission. Our findings reveal the expression of PIEZO1 in a subset of DRG neurons associated w

…only those sensory neurons – the nociceptors – that trigger pain, itch, and cough. I will tell you why and how we devised the strategy, the way we showed that it works, and will also discuss its implications for treating multiple human disorders.

…only those sensory neurons – the nociceptors – that trigger pain, itch, and cough. I will tell you why and how we devised the strategy, the way we showed that it works, and will also discuss its implications for treating multiple human disorders.

…activation of sensory neurones called nociceptors that are tuned to detect noxious stimuli in a process called nociception. Although nociception functions as a detect and protect mechanism. and is found in many organisms, this system becomes dysregulated in a number of conditions where chronic pain presents as a key symptom, for example osteoarthritis. Nociceptors do not innervate empty space though and do not act alone. Going beyond the neurone, other cell types, such as fibroblast-like synoviocytes interact with and modify the