Next generation RNA sequencing of embryonic dorsal root ganglions to study the effects of electrical stimulation.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of electrical stimulation to enhance myelination in the mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) – an ex vivo model of the peripheral nervous system. Method: DRG mRNA profiles were generated by high-throughput NGS at 11 DIV (1 day after ES) and 19 DIV (9 days after ES). Results: ES upregulated the expression of genes involved in peripheral nervous system myelination and lipid biosynthesis, while downregulating the expression of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation. The extent of changes in gene expression after ES were generally greater at 11 DIV than at 19 DIV. ES DRGs were given electrical stimulation at DIV 10. Control DRGs were not given any electrical stimulation. For each condition, RNA was harvested from three dorsal root ganglion explants pooled together.