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，对于自主神经（即肠道运动）与感觉（即疼痛感知）功能的调控与整合至关重要。本研究旨在明确小鼠体内，远端结肠外源性神经传递伤害性信息所接入的大脑神经环路。本研究借助表达增强绿色荧光蛋白（enhanced green fluorescent protein, EGFP）的1型单纯疱疹病毒（herpes simplex virus 1, HSV-H129-EGFP）开展顺向跨神经元追踪，从结直肠部位出发，以时间依赖性方式绘制中枢神经系统（central nervous system, CNS）内EGFP的神经元表达图谱（附件含2019年ANS海报）。为鉴定结肠伤害性刺激所激活的脑区，本研究将活体结直肠扩张刺激所激活的神经元数量，与无扩张刺激组的神经元数量进行了对比（附件含2021年全球连接组学海报）。本研究同时使用雄性与雌性小鼠，以对比中枢通路内结直肠疼痛处理过程的性别差异。