An atlas of neuropathic pain-associated molecular pathological characteristics in the mouse spinal cord

This study maps the molecular changes in the spinal cord of mice with neuropathic pain using advanced sequencing techniques. The goal is to identify potential therapeutic targets for this debilitating condition. The researchers combined spatial transcriptomics with single-nucleus RNA sequencing to create detailed maps of gene expression, cell populations, and cell-cell interactions in the spinal cord. The study identifies key differences in gene expression and cell communication between mice with neuropathic pain and healthy mice, offering insights into the mechanisms driving neuropathic pain.

• 1
  The study found unique spatial atlases of genes, cell populations, cell-cell cross-talks, signaling pathways, and transcriptional regulatory networks in the spinal cord of neuropathic pain mice compared to sham mice.
• 2
  Injured DRG sensory neurons and the corresponding ventral horn of the spinal cord show similar expression patterns after peripheral nerve injury.
• 3
  The research systematically exhibited 'cross-talk omics' between DRG neurons and SC dorsal horn neurons and glial cells, revealing an altered communication profile under neuropathic pain conditions.