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Behavioral and cellular level changes in the aging somatosensory system.

Shuying Wang¹, Kathryn M Albers

¹Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

|August 19, 2009

Summary

Aging reduces sensitivity to heat in mice by affecting the artemin (Artn) receptor GFRalpha3 and the TRPV1 ion channel in sensory neurons. Aged neurons show impaired TRPV1 responses, indicating somatosensory system changes with age.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Gerontology
Sensory Biology

Background:

The peripheral sensory system's function can decline with age, impacting thermal sensation.
Artemin (Artn) and its receptor GFRalpha3, along with the TRPV1 ion channel, are crucial for sensory neuron function.
TRPV1 is highly expressed in GFRalpha3-positive primary sensory neurons.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effects of aging on the peripheral sensory system in Blk6 mice.
To examine the role of artemin (Artn) and TRPV1 in age-related changes in thermal sensitivity.
To compare in vitro TRPV1 responses in young versus aged sensory neurons.

Main Methods:

Behavioral assays were used to assess thermal stimuli sensitivity in young and aged mice.
Quantification of GFRalpha3 and TRPV1 expression in sensory neurons.
In vitro calcium imaging of isolated dorsal root ganglia neurons to test TRPV1 activation by capsaicin and potentiation by Artn.

Main Results:

Aged mice exhibited decreased sensitivity to thermal stimuli compared to young mice.
Expression of GFRalpha3 and TRPV1 was reduced in aged sensory neurons.
While Artn potentiated TRPV1 responses in both young and aged neurons, only young neurons showed an increased percentage of capsaicin responders after repeated exposure.

Conclusions:

Aging impairs the somatosensory system's ability to respond to repeated thermal stimuli.
Reduced TRPV1 responsiveness in aged neurons suggests a significant role for this ion channel in age-related sensory decline.
These findings highlight molecular and functional changes in sensory neurons associated with aging.