小鼠脊髓投射神经元的转录组特征与空间分布

脊髓投射神经元（SPNs）将多种躯体感觉信息从脊髓传递至大脑，但其分子与细胞异质性仍不清楚。本研究通过逆行标记与单细胞转录组分析，在小鼠颈段脊髓中鉴定出15种SPN亚型，其中包括此前未知的GABA能亚型，并揭示其在层板分布及全脑投射模式上的亚型特异性。进一步结合单神经元投射组和电生理实验，证实了GABA能SPN的存在及其抑制性作用。基因模块分析显示，各亚型具有独特的功能基因表达模式，反映其转录与功能专一性。不同SPN亚型在疼痛与瘙痒信息处理中表现出差异性参与。这些研究结果构建了躯体感觉信息加工的分子与细胞框架。

Spinal projection neurons (SPNs) transmit diverse somatosensory information from the spinal cord to the brain, yet their molecular and cellular heterogeneity remains unclear. In this study, we identified 15 SPN subtypes in the mouse cervical spinal cord via retrograde labeling and single-cell transcriptomic analysis, including a previously unknown GABAergic subtype, and revealed subtype-specific characteristics in their laminar distribution and whole-brain projection patterns. Further combining single-neuron projectome and electrophysiological experiments, we confirmed the existence of GABAergic SPNs and their inhibitory effects. Gene module analysis showed that each subtype possesses a unique functional gene expression profile, reflecting its transcriptional and functional specificity. Different SPN subtypes exhibit differential involvement in pain and itch information processing. Collectively, these findings establish a molecular and cellular framework for somatosensory information processing.

搜集汇总

背景与挑战

背景概述

该数据集通过逆行标记和单细胞转录组分析，揭示了小鼠颈椎脊髓中15种脊髓投射神经元（SPN）亚型，包括新发现的GABA能亚型，并展示了它们在大脑中的空间分布和投射模式。研究还关联了这些亚型与疼痛和瘙痒处理的功能，为理解体感处理的分子和细胞机制提供了框架，数据包括转录组和空间组织信息，文件大小约1.12 GB。