Mapping brain regions processing colorectal nociception

Extrinsic nerves innervating the colon are important to the regulation and integration of autonomic (i.e. motility) and sensory (i.e. pain) functions. This study aimed to identify the brain circuits into which extrinsic nerves from the distal colon convey nociceptive information in the mouse. Anterograde trans-neuronal tracing with herpes simplex virus 1 expressing EGFP (HSV-H129-EGFP) was used from the colorectum to map the neuronal expression of EGFP in the CNS in a time dependent manner (ANS 2019 poster attached). To identify brain regions engaged by colonic nociceptive stimuli the number of neurons activated by noxious in vivo colorectal distension was compared to that evoked by no distension (2021 Global Connectome poster attached). Male and female mice allowed for sex comparisons in how colorectal pain processing may be differentially processed within central pathways.

支配结肠的外源性神经，在自主（如胃肠动力）及感觉（如疼痛）功能的调控与整合中发挥关键作用。本研究旨在明确小鼠体内远端结肠外源性神经向中枢神经系统（central nervous system, CNS）传递伤害性信息所经由的脑环路。本研究采用表达增强绿色荧光蛋白（enhanced green fluorescent protein, EGFP）的1型单纯疱疹病毒（HSV-H129-EGFP），从结直肠部位开展顺行跨神经元追踪，以时间依赖的方式绘制CNS内EGFP的神经元表达图谱（附件含2019年ANS海报）。为明确结肠伤害性刺激所激活的脑区，本研究比较了在体伤害性结直肠扩张与无扩张状态下激活的神经元数量（附件含2021年Global Connectome海报）。本研究同时使用雄性与雌性小鼠，以探究结直肠疼痛处理在中枢通路中的性别差异性调控模式。