Project description:Primary afferent collateral sprouting (PACS) is a process whereby non-injured primary afferent neurons respond to some stimulus by extending new branches from existing axons. In the model used here (spared dermatome), the intact sensory neurons respond to the denervation of adjacent areas of skin by sprouting new axon branches into that adjacent denervated territory. Neurons of both the central and peripheral nervous systems undergo this process, which contributes to both adaptive and maladaptive plasticity. Investigations of gene expression changes associated with PACS can provide a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling this process. Consequently, it can be used to develop treatment for spinal cord injury to promote functional recovery. In this study, we sought to identify gene expression changes in PACS using 20 Affymetrix Rat Genome 230 2.0 microarrays. The experiments were designed to discover global gene expression changes in non-injured DRG neurons undergoing PACS. T11 DRG neurons remained intact and undergo PACS after the cutaneous nerves of the adjacent segments (T9, T10, T12, and T13) were injured and regeneration of those injured nerves prevented by ligation. Thus, the T9, T10, T12, and T13 dermatomes were denervated, but the T11 dermatome remained intact. Axons of the T11dermatome (and thus housed in the T11 dorsal root ganglion (DRG)), extended new branches to innervate the T9, T10, T12, and T13 dermatomes. N.B.: This is NOT a spared root experiment. ALL spinal roots were non-injured. Peripheral nerves were used. A total of 20 Affymetrix Rat Genome 230 2.0 microarrays were analyzed: six naïve controls, seven replicates at day 7 post-surgery (presumed to represent an â??initiation phaseâ??), and seven replicates at day 14 post-surgery (presumed to represent a â??maintenance phaseâ??). DRGs were NOT pooled onto microarrays. Each animal had its own microarray with T11 DRG sample which underwent 2-round amplification. After quality control analysis, one of the naïve control microarrays was removed from further analysis.
Project description:Primary afferent collateral sprouting (PACS) is a process whereby non-injured primary afferent neurons respond to some stimulus by extending new branches from existing axons. In the model used here (spared dermatome), the intact sensory neurons respond to the denervation of adjacent areas of skin by sprouting new axon branches into that adjacent denervated territory. Neurons of both the central and peripheral nervous systems undergo this process, which contributes to both adaptive and maladaptive plasticity. Investigations of gene expression changes associated with PACS can provide a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling this process. Consequently, it can be used to develop treatment for spinal cord injury to promote functional recovery. In this study, we sought to identify gene expression changes in PACS using 20 Affymetrix Rat Genome 230 2.0 microarrays. The experiments were designed to discover global gene expression changes in non-injured DRG neurons undergoing PACS. T11 DRG neurons remained intact and undergo PACS after the cutaneous nerves of the adjacent segments (T9, T10, T12, and T13) were injured and regeneration of those injured nerves prevented by ligation. Thus, the T9, T10, T12, and T13 dermatomes were denervated, but the T11 dermatome remained intact. Axons of the T11dermatome (and thus housed in the T11 dorsal root ganglion (DRG)), extended new branches to innervate the T9, T10, T12, and T13 dermatomes. N.B.: This is NOT a spared root experiment. ALL spinal roots were non-injured. Peripheral nerves were used.
Project description:Dorsal root ganglion neurons are the primary neurons of the sensory afferent pathway and are a heterogeneous population. Dorsal root ganglion neurons exhibit a wide range of terminal morphologies, complex central projection patterns, and different physiological properties, which allow them to adapt to various sensory stimulation modalities and transmit the corresponding sensory information to the central nervous system. Here, we used single-cell sequencing technology to explore the mechanisms behind the differences in axonal lengths in DRG neurons cultured in vitro. The single-cell sequencing data grouped by axon length were compared and analyzed to find core genes that may be closely related to axon length in a list of differentially expressed genes that significantly change with axon length; as well as to explore whether these genes also play an important role in the process of axon regeneration after peripheral nerve injury.
Project description:In the peripheral nervous system, the prevertebral ganglion (PVG) serves as an important relay station, transmitting centrifugal signals to visceral organs; the PVG is also known to innervate enteroanal afferent neurons (IFANs) and spinal sensory neurons innervating the intestinal tract. It has been suggested that there are neural circuits within the PVG consisting of sensory and sympathetic neurons. Here, we used a single nuclei RNA sequencing method to characterize the gene expression profiles of individual cells constituting the ventral ganglion in normal rats. These data provide valuable material for examining the neural circuits within the PVG.
Project description:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used to establish exhausted-exercise model by motorized rodent treadmill. Yu-Ping-Feng-San at doses of 2.18 g/kg was administrated by gavage before exercise training for 10 consecutive days. Quantitative proteomics was performed for assessing the related mechanism of Yu-Ping-Feng-San.
Project description:The Norway rat has important impacts on our life. They are amongst the most used research subjects, resulting in ground-breaking advances. At the same time, wild rats live in close association with us, leading to various adverse interactions. In face of this relevance, it is surprising how little is known about their natural behaviour. While recent laboratory studies revealed their complex social skills, little is known about their social behaviour in the wild. An integration of these different scientific approaches is crucial to understand their social life, which will enable us to design more valid research paradigms, develop more effective management strategies, and to provide better welfare standards. Hence, I first summarise the literature on their natural social behaviour. Second, I provide an overview of recent developments concerning their social cognition. Third, I illustrate why an integration of these areas would be beneficial to optimise our interactions with them.