Cited by 215Pain Mechanisms and TreatmentsTactile and Sensory InteractionsIon Channels and Receptors

Identification of a Spinal Circuit for Light Touch and Fine Motor Control

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Bourane, Steeve, Grossmann, Katja S., Britz, Olivier, Dalet, Antoine, Del Barrio, Marta Garcia, Stam, Floor J., Garcia-Campmany, Lidia, Koch, Stephanie +1 more·2015·Cell

Abstract

Sensory circuits in the dorsal spinal cord integrate and transmit multiple cutaneous sensory modalities including the sense of light touch. Here, we identify a population of excitatory interneurons (INs) in the dorsal horn that are important for transmitting innocuous light touch sensation. These neurons express the ROR alpha (RORα) nuclear orphan receptor and are selectively innervated by cutaneous low threshold mechanoreceptors (LTMs). Targeted removal of RORα INs in the dorsal spinal cord leads to a marked reduction in behavioral responsiveness to light touch without affecting responses to noxious and itch stimuli. RORα IN-deficient mice also display a selective deficit in corrective foot movements. This phenotype, together with our demonstration that the RORα INs are innervated by corticospinal and vestibulospinal projection neurons, argues that the RORα INs direct corrective reflex movements by integrating touch information with descending motor commands from the cortex and cerebellum.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.cell.2015.01.011

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  • The Prkcg dorsal excitatory family comprised Excit-3 and Excit-4 and likely corresponded to neurons involved in light static touch and allodynic pain in pathological situations.

    “The Prkcg dorsal, excitatory family was comprised of Excit-3 and Excit-4 and likely corresponded to neurons involved in light static touch and allodynic pain in pathological situations46,48–56.”
  • The Maf dorsal excitatory family comprised Excit-5, Excit-6, and Excit-7, which expressed markers of neurons involved in light touch.

    “The Maf dorsal, the excitatory family was comprised of Excit-5, Excit-6, and Excit-7 which expressed markers of neurons involved in light touch46,48,50,56,57.”

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Fyffe REW Scott SA Laminar organization of primary afferent terminals in the mammalian spinal cord Sensory Neurons: Diversity 1992 New York Development and Plasticity Oxford University Press 131 139

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Authors
Bourane, S., Grossmann, K. S., Britz, O., Dalet, A., Del Barrio, M. G., Stam, F. J., Garcia-Campmany, L., Koch, S., & Goulding, M.
Affiliations
Salk Institute for Biological Studies (US)
Corresponding author
Goulding, Martyn
Venue
Cell
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2015-01
Volume
160
Issue
3
Pages
503-515
ISSN
0092-8674 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2026910668
Cited by
215
References
82
Citations by year
2026: 13 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 23 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 25 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 20 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 10
FWCI
14.98
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cell (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R01NS086372, NS080586, P30NS072031, NS072031, R01NS080586, NS086372)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Tactile and Sensory Interactions
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Sensory Systems › Ion Channels and Receptors
Keywords
light touch, dorsal horn interneurons, low-threshold mechanoreceptors, dorsal spinal cord, descending motor control, nociception, pruritus, sensorimotor integration
MeSH terms
Animals, Interneurons, Motor Activity, Motor Neurons, Neural Pathways, Synapses, Touch, Mechanotransduction, Cellular, Mice, Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 1, Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn

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