Human sensory neurons exhibit cell-type-specific, pain-associated differences in intrinsic excitability and expression of <i>SCN9A</i> and <i>SCN10A</i>.

ABSTRACT: Despite the prevalence of chronic pain, the approval of novel, non-opioid therapeutics has been slow. A major translational challenge in analgesic development is the difference in gene expression and functional properties between human and rodent dorsal root ganglia (DRG) sensory neurons. Extensive work in rodents suggests that sensitization of nociceptors in the DRG is essential for the pathogenesis and persistence of pain; however, direct evidence demonstrating similar physiological sensitization in humans is limited. Here, we examine whether pain history is associated with nociceptor hyperexcitability in human DRG (hDRG). We identified three electrophysiologically distinct clusters (E-types) of hDRG neurons based on firing properties and membrane excitability. Combining electrophysiolog

SUBMITTER: Yi J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11974934 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature