Journal article
Input–output connections of LJA5 prodynorphin neurons
Journal of comparative neurology (1911), Vol.529(3), pp.635-654
02/2021
DOI: 10.1002/cne.24974
PMID: 32602558
Abstract
Sensory information is transmitted from peripheral nerves, through the spinal cord, and up to the brain. Sensory information may be modulated by projections from the brain to the spinal cord, but the neural substrates for top‐down sensory control are incompletely understood. We identified a novel population of inhibitory neurons in the mouse brainstem, distinguished by their expression of prodynorphin, which we named LJA5. Here, we identify a similar group of Pdyn+ neurons in the human brainstem, and we define the efferent and afferent projection patterns of LJA5 neurons in mouse. Using specific genetic tools, we selectively traced the projections of the Pdyn‐expressing LJA5 neurons through the brain and spinal cord. Terminal fields were densest in the lateral and ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (PAG), lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPB), caudal pressor area, and lamina I of the spinal trigeminal nucleus and all levels of the spinal cord. We then labeled cell types in the PAG, LPB, medulla, and spinal cord to better define the specific targets of LJA5 boutons. LJA5 neurons send the only known inhibitory descending projection specifically to lamina I of the spinal cord, which transmits afferent pain, temperature, and itch information up to the brain. Using retrograde tracing, we found LJA5 neurons receive inputs from sensory and stress areas such as somatosensory/insular cortex, preoptic area, paraventricular nucleus, dorsomedial nucleus and lateral hypothalamus, PAG, and LPB. This pattern of inputs and outputs suggest LJA5 neurons are uniquely positioned to be activated by sensation and stress, and in turn, inhibit pain and itch.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Input–output connections of LJA5 prodynorphin neurons
- Creators
- Lindsay J Agostinelli - Department of Neurology, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine The University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USA, Department of Pediatrics University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USA, Department of Neurology Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USAMadison R Mix - Department of Pediatrics University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USAMarco M Hefti - Department of Pathology University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USAThomas E Scammell - Department of Neurology Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USAAlexander G Bassuk - Department of Neurology, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine The University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USA, Department of Pediatrics University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of comparative neurology (1911), Vol.529(3), pp.635-654
- DOI
- 10.1002/cne.24974
- PMID
- 32602558
- NLM abbreviation
- J Comp Neurol
- ISSN
- 0021-9967
- eISSN
- 1096-9861
- Grant note
- DOI: 10.13039/100000009, name: Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, award: K23 NS109284, NIH 5R01NS098590, P01 HL095491, R01 NS106032
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 02/2021
- Academic Unit
- Neurology; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Pathology; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Neurology (Pediatrics)
- Record Identifier
- 9984070569902771
Metrics
25 Record Views