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Keratinocytes can modulate and directly initiate nociceptive responses
Kyle M Baumbauer1, Jennifer J DeBerry1, Peter C Adelman1
1Department of Neurobiology, Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, Center for Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States.
Elife
|September 3, 2015
Summary
Epidermal keratinocytes directly initiate nerve signals in response to stimuli. This research shows skin cells can trigger action potentials (APs) in sensory neurons, expanding the epidermis
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Dermatology
- Sensory Biology
Background:
- The mechanisms of sensory transduction in the skin are under investigation.
- Previous research suggests sensory transduction is intrinsic to cutaneous neurons, with keratinocytes playing a modulatory role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of epidermal keratinocytes in sensory transduction.
- To determine if keratinocytes can directly elicit action potentials (APs) in cutaneous sensory neurons.
Main Methods:
- Utilized genetically modified mice expressing channelrhodopsin (ChR2) in keratinocytes for light-activated stimulation.
- Employed loss-of-function studies using halorhodopsin in keratinocytes.
- Recorded action potential generation in various cutaneous sensory neuron types (SA1, A-HTMR, CM, CH, CMC, CMH, CMHC).
Main Results:
- Blue light activation of ChR2-expressing keratinocytes directly induced APs in multiple sensory neuron types.
- Yellow light stimulation of halorhodopsin-expressing keratinocytes reduced AP firing in response to natural stimuli.
- Demonstrated that epidermal activation alone can generate neural signals.
Conclusions:
- Epidermal keratinocytes possess intrinsic sensory transduction mechanisms capable of directly initiating AP firing.
- These findings suggest a more significant role for the epidermis in sensory processing than previously understood.
- Supports a direct role for keratinocytes in eliciting responses in both nociceptive and tactile sensory afferents.
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