Somatosensory neuron types identified by high-coverage single-cell RNA-sequencing and functional heterogeneity

Pain control through selective chemo-axotomy of centrally projecting TRPV1+ sensory neurons

“…This population most likely has low levels of Trpv1 not detectable in the single-cell data used for these analyses (32), but detectable in a deeper-sequencing approach using fewer cells (ref. 36 and Supplemental Figures 4 and 5). Expression of the Lpar3 gene, which codes for lysophosphatidic acid receptor 3, is decreased in all 3 RTX-treatment data sets.…”

Recent Progress in Understanding the Mechanisms of Pain and Itch: the Second Special Issue

“…In the last 5 years, the field has seen tremendous progress in the molecular and functional characterization of primary sensory neurons [6,7], neurocircuits of pain and itch [8][9][10], immune and glial modulation of pain and itch [11][12][13][14][15], molecular mechanisms of pain [16,17], and identification of brain signatures of pain [18]. Thus, it is timely to highlight the recent progress in a second special issue.…”

“…Significant progress has been made in the molecular and functional characterization of these sensory neurons, thanks to the development of novel techniques and approaches [6,7]. Using a combination of functional characterization and high-coverage single-cell RNA sequencing, Zhang and colleagues identified 11 types of somatosensory neurons [19].…”

Profile of Dr. Xu Zhang

“…Zhang's research group developed single-cell RNA-sequencing technique to identify the types of mouse DRG neurons and the neuron type-specific marker genes, and determined the functions of DRG neuron types by their responses to peripheral stimuli (Li et al, 2016). They showed that small-diameter DRG neurons were classified into one type of low-threshold mechanoreceptor and five types of mechanoheat nociceptors (MHNs).…”