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In Vivo Calcium Imaging of Neuronal Ensembles in Networks of Primary Sensory Neurons in Intact Trigeminal Ganglia
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Diversity amongst trigeminal neurons revealed by high throughput single cell sequencing
Minh Q Nguyen1, Youmei Wu1, Lauren S Bonilla1
1Taste and Smell Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America.
Plos One
|September 29, 2017
Summary
Researchers explored the cellular diversity within the trigeminal ganglion using single-cell sequencing. They discovered 13 distinct neuron clusters, revealing unexpected physiological heterogeneity in the somatosensory system.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genomics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The trigeminal ganglion (TG) houses somatosensory neurons crucial for head and neck sensation.
- These neurons detect thermal, mechanical, and chemical stimuli, innervating diverse structures like the eyes, nose, and meninges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cellular and molecular diversity of neurons within the mouse trigeminal ganglion.
- To determine if TG neuron subtypes represent functional classes conserved across the somatosensory system.
Main Methods:
- Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was employed to profile individual neurons.
- In situ hybridization (ISH) was used to validate gene expression patterns within the TG.
- Computational analysis identified distinct neuronal clusters based on gene expression profiles.
Main Results:
- Thirteen distinct neuronal clusters were identified in the trigeminal ganglion.
- These clusters show conservation with neuronal populations in dorsal root ganglia, suggesting conserved functional classes.
- Key sensory genes, such as Piezo2 and Trpv1, were found to be expressed across multiple clusters and in subsets of cells within clusters.
- This indicates significant physiological heterogeneity within genetically defined neuronal classes.
Conclusions:
- The trigeminal ganglion exhibits greater cellular and functional diversity than previously appreciated.
- The identified neuron clusters represent conserved functional classes of somatosensory neurons.
- Single-cell sequencing provides a powerful tool for dissecting neuronal heterogeneity and informing future functional studies.
