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Optogenetic Manipulation of Neuronal Activity to Modulate Behavior in Freely Moving Mice
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Transdermal light neuromodulation: Optogenetics in the murine urinary tract
Shannon L Wallace1, Robert S Kelley2, Shailja Mehta1
1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
Neurourology and Urodynamics
|November 24, 2017
Summary
Optogenetics successfully modulated bladder pain in mice by genetically modifying sciatic nerves to respond to light. This technique offers a novel approach for studying and potentially treating lower urinary tract pain.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biotechnology
- Pain Management
Background:
- Optogenetics utilizes light to control genetically modified neurons expressing light-sensitive ion channels.
- Peripheral neuromodulation offers a targeted approach to pain management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate peripheral neuromodulation of bladder pain using optogenetics and transdermal light in a mouse model.
- To investigate the feasibility of priming peripheral nerves for light-induced pain modulation.
Main Methods:
- Adenovirus-mediated delivery of a viral vector (AAV6-hSyn-ChR2(H134R)-eYFP) to sciatic nerves in mice.
- Light-inducible stimulation using blue 475 nm wavelength light to evoke pain responses.
- Assessment of bladder pain behavior following optogenetic priming and light exposure.
Main Results:
- Sciatic nerve-targeted optogenetics successfully induced pain responses in mice upon light stimulation.
- Optogenetically primed mice showed a 48% reduction in bladder pain behavior compared to 18% in controls when exposed to light.
Conclusions:
- This study presents the first application of optogenetics to modulate sensation in the lower urinary tract.
- Peripheral nerve priming for optogenetic modulation is feasible and can be utilized to study bladder pain in mice.
