Nogo receptor homolog NgR2 expressed in sensory DRG neurons controls epidermal innervation by interaction with Versican.

ABSTRACT: Primary sensory afferents of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) that innervate the skin detect a wide range of stimuli, such as touch, temperature, pain, and itch. Different functional classes of nociceptors project their axons to distinct target zones within the developing skin, but the molecular mechanisms that regulate target innervation are less clear. Here we report that the Nogo66 receptor homolog NgR2 is essential for proper cutaneous innervation. NgR2(-/-) mice display increased density of nonpeptidergic nociceptors in the footpad and exhibit enhanced sensitivity to mechanical force and innocuous cold temperatures. These sensory deficits are not associated with any abnormality in morphology or density of DRG neurons. However, deletion of NgR2 renders nociceptive nonpeptidergic sensory

SUBMITTER: Baumer BE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3905139 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature