Cited by 57Pain Mechanisms and TreatmentsNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchIon Channels and Receptors

Calretinin positive neurons form an excitatory amplifier network in the spinal cord dorsal horn

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Smith, Kelly M, Browne, Tyler J, Davis, Olivia C, Coyle, A, Boyle, Kieran A, Watanabe, Masahiko, Dickinson, Sally A, Iredale, Jacqueline A +6 more·2019·eLife

Published version of a preprint

Abstract

Nociceptive information is relayed through the spinal cord dorsal horn, a critical area in sensory processing. The neuronal circuits in this region that underpin sensory perception must be clarified to better understand how dysfunction can lead to pathological pain. This study used an optogenetic approach to selectively activate spinal interneurons that express the calcium-binding protein calretinin (CR). We show that these interneurons form an interconnected network that can initiate and sustain enhanced excitatory signaling, and directly relay signals to lamina I projection neurons. Photoactivation of CR interneurons in vivo resulted in a significant nocifensive behavior that was morphine sensitive, caused a conditioned place aversion, and was enhanced by spared nerve injury. Furthermore, halorhodopsin-mediated inhibition of these interneurons elevated sensory thresholds. Our results suggest that dorsal horn circuits that involve excitatory CR neurons are important for the generation and amplification of pain and identify these interneurons as a future analgesic target.

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Crossref · 10.7554/elife.49190

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  • The Sox5 dorsal excitatory family comprised Excit-14, Excit-15, Excit-16, Excit-17, Excit-18, and Excit-19 and expressed markers suggestive of a role in coping pain and mechanical nociception.

    “The Sox5 dorsal, the excitatory family was comprised of Excit-14, Excit-15, Excit-16, Excit-17, Excit-18, and Excit-19, and expressed markers suggestive of a role in coping pain and mechanical nociception46,52,56,63–67.”

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Authors
Smith, K. M., Browne, T. J., Davis, O. C., Coyle, A., Boyle, K. A., Watanabe, M., Dickinson, S. A., Iredale, J. A., Gradwell, M. A., Jobling, P., Callister, R. J., Dayas, C. V., Hughes, D. I., & Graham, B. A.
Affiliations
  • University of Pittsburgh (US)
  • Hunter Medical Research Institute (AU)
  • University of Glasgow (GB)
  • Hokkaido University (JP)
Corresponding author
Graham, Brett A
Venue
eLife
Published
2019-11-12
Volume
8
ISSN
2050-084X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2988909879
Cited by
57
References
64
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 8
FWCI
5.31
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • eLife (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (acceptedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • ENLIGHTEN (Jurnal Bimbingan dan Konseling Islam) (acceptedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Minerva Access (University of Melbourne) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • NOVA (University of Newcastle Australia) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • National Health and Medical Research Council (631000, 1043933, 1067146, 1125478)
  • Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BB/J000620/1, BB/P007996/1)
  • Hunter Medical Research Institute
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Sensory Systems › Ion Channels and Receptors
Keywords
calretinin, dorsal horn, nociception, spinal interneurons, nocifensive behavior, morphine sensitivity, conditioned place aversion, spared nerve injury, sensory threshold, pathological pain, analgesic targets, optogenetics
MeSH terms
Analgesics, Opioid, Animals, Disease Models, Animal, Interneurons, Mice, Transgenic, Morphine, Nerve Net, Neuralgia, Neurons, Photic Stimulation, Gene Expression, Pain Threshold, Patch-Clamp Techniques, Transgenes, Halorhodopsins, Tissue Culture Techniques, Mice, Optogenetics, Calbindin 2, Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn

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