Peripheral Nerve Transection Predominantly Drives Sympathetic Nerve Sprouting in Mouse Dorsal Root Ganglia.

ABSTRACT: Sympathetic sprouting in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) is a feature of sympathetically maintained pain (SMP) following peripheral nerve injury, yet the factors determining its occurrence remain unclear. Here, we compare transection and crush injury models to determine if injury type or site influence sympathetic remodeling and pain. Using TH-IR immunostaining and Phox2b reporter mice to selectively label sympathetic fibers, we found that an L5 spinal nerve transection (SpNT) triggered robust sympathetic fiber sprouting and elevated norepinephrine (NE) levels in the DRG, correlating with a mechanical hypersensitivity reversed by chemical sympathectomy. In contrast, a partial sciatic nerve crush injury (PCI) produced long-lasting mechanical hypersensitivity without sympathetic sprouting or NE el

SUBMITTER: Shim SW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12642574 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature