Defense Date
2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Neuroscience
First Advisor
Liya Qiao
Abstract
Satellite glial cells (SGCs) of dorsal root ganglia are activated in various chronic pain modalities. However, their mediation roles in chronic pain remain elusive. In this thesis, I present three paradigms to activate SGCs in vivo via chemogenetics, which elicit hindpaw mechanical, not thermal, pain. Optogenetic activation of SGCs increases Piezo2 and CGRP, but not TrpV1, in DRG neurons, consistent with the unique role of SGCs in enhancing mechanical sensitivity. The increased Piezo2 expression and mechanosensitivity due to SGCs activation occur in small-sized nociceptors. SGCs activation also facilitates spinal central sensitization and neurogenic inflammation. Moreover, cell-targeted inhibition of SGCs attenuates colitis-induced spinal central sensitization and referred somatic mechanical, but not thermal, pain. SGCs inhibition does not affect baseline mechanical or thermal sensitivity. These findings unravel the critical role of SGCs in mechanosensation and highlight their potential as a therapeutic target for mitigating mechanical pain and visceral-somatic cross-organ sensitization.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
5-8-2024