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Selective inhibition of small-diameter axons using infrared light.

ABSTRACT: Novel clinical treatments to target peripheral nerves are being developed which primarily use electrical current. Recently, infrared (IR) light was shown to inhibit peripheral nerves with high spatial and temporal specificity. Here, for the first time, we demonstrate that IR can selectively and reversibly inhibit small-diameter axons at lower radiant exposures than large-diameter axons. We provide a mathematical rationale, and then demonstrate it experimentally in individual axons of identified neurons in the marine mollusk Aplysia californica, and in axons within the vagus nerve of a mammal, the musk shrew Suncus murinus. The ability to selectively, rapidly, and reversibly control small-diameter sensory fibers may have many applications, both for the analysis of physiology, and for treating diseases of the peripheral nervous system, such as chronic nausea, vomiting, pain, and hypertension. Moreover, the mathematical analysis of how IR affects the nerve could apply to other techniques for controlling peripheral nerve signaling.

SUBMITTER: Lothet EH

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5468240 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Selective inhibition of small-diameter axons using infrared light.

Lothet Emilie H EH Shaw Kendrick M KM Lu Hui H Zhuo Junqi J Wang Yves T YT Gu Shi S Stolz Donna B DB Jansen E Duco ED Horn Charles C CC Chiel Hillel J HJ Jenkins Michael W MW

Scientific reports 20170612 1

Novel clinical treatments to target peripheral nerves are being developed which primarily use electrical current. Recently, infrared (IR) light was shown to inhibit peripheral nerves with high spatial and temporal specificity. Here, for the first time, we demonstrate that IR can selectively and reversibly inhibit small-diameter axons at lower radiant exposures than large-diameter axons. We provide a mathematical rationale, and then demonstrate it experimentally in individual axons of identified ...[more]

PMID: 28607402

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Project description:BACKGROUND:Small-diameter, myelinated axons are selectively susceptible to dysfunction in several inflammatory PNS and CNS diseases, resulting in pain and degeneration, but the mechanism is not known. METHODS:We used in vivo confocal microscopy to compare the effects of inflammation in experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN), a model of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), on mitochondrial function and transport in large- and small-diameter axons. We have compared mitochondrial function and transport in vivo in (i) healthy axons, (ii) axons affected by experimental autoimmune neuritis, and (iii) axons in which mitochondria were focally damaged by laser induced photo-toxicity. RESULTS:Mitochondria affected by inflammation or laser damage became depolarized, fragmented, and immobile. Importantly, the loss of functional mitochondria was accompanied by an increase in the number of mitochondria transported towards, and into, the damaged area, perhaps compensating for loss of ATP and allowing buffering of the likely excessive Ca2+ concentration. In large-diameter axons, healthy mitochondria were found to move into the damaged area bypassing the dysfunctional mitochondria, re-populating the damaged segment of the axon. However, in small-diameter axons, the depolarized mitochondria appeared to "plug" the axon, obstructing, sometimes completely, the incoming (mainly anterograde) transport of mitochondria. Over time (~?2 h), the transported, functional mitochondria accumulated at the obstruction, and the distal part of the small-diameter axons became depleted of functional mitochondria. CONCLUSIONS:The data show that neuroinflammation, in common with photo-toxic damage, induces depolarization and fragmentation of axonal mitochondria, which remain immobile at the site of damage. The damaged, immobile mitochondria can "plug" myelinated, small-diameter axons so that successful mitochondrial transport is prevented, depleting the distal axon of functioning mitochondria. Our observations may explain the selective vulnerability of small-diameter axons to dysfunction and degeneration in a number of neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory disorders.

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Selective inhibition of small-diameter axons using infrared light.

Publications

Selective inhibition of small-diameter axons using infrared light.

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