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Updated: Jan 6, 2026
Single Cell Transcriptional Profiling of Adult Mouse Cardiomyocytes
Published on: December 28, 2011
Transcriptome Profiling Across Multiple Organs Unveils Potential Regulatory Effects of C-Fibers on Host in Mice
Yu He1, Changgen Li1, Jianhua Wei1
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Metabolism and Inflammatory Diseases, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China.
C-fiber degeneration impacts host physiology, altering immune cell populations and intestinal microbiota. This study reveals the nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor signaling pathway as a key mediator of these multi-organ effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- C-fibers are crucial nociceptors for maintaining host homeostasis.
- Previous work showed C-fiber degeneration protects against RSV infection.
- The comprehensive physiological impact of C-fiber degeneration was unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the multi-organ physiological effects of C-fiber degeneration.
- To establish and validate a C-fiber-degenerated mouse model (KCF).
- To identify molecular pathways influenced by C-fibers.
Main Methods:
- Established a C-fiber-degenerated (KCF) BALB/c mouse model.
- Validated the model using immunofluorescence staining across multiple organs.
- Analyzed body weight, fecal microbiota (16S rRNA sequencing), and organ transcriptomes (RNA sequencing).
Main Results:
- KCF mice showed significant transcriptional alterations in brain, lungs, intestines, and spleen without changes in body weight or gross pathology.
- Reduced resting mast cells in lungs/intestines and monocytes in spleen were observed.
- Significant changes in intestinal microbiota diversity and composition, and a trend towards reduced globulin levels were confirmed.
Conclusions:
- C-fiber degeneration influences host physiology across multiple organs, affecting immune cell populations and gut microbiota.
- The nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor signaling pathway is identified as a critical mediator of C-fiber effects.
- This study expands the understanding of C-fiber roles in host homeostasis in a multi-organ context.
