Stephanie Shiers

TL;DR: In this article , the authors used spatial transcriptomics to molecularly characterize transcriptomes of single dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons from eight organ donors, identifying 12 clusters of human sensory neurons, 5 of which are C nociceptors, as well as 1 C low-threshold mechanoreceptors (LTMRs), 1 Aβ nocicusor, 2 Aδ,2 Aβ, and 1 proprioceptor subtypes.

TL;DR: Insight is offered into the spatial and functional organization of neuronal cell subpopulations in the rodent and human DRG and support the idea that sensory system organizational principles are likely different between both species.

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss how COVID-19 may interact with the peripheral nervous system to cause pain in the early and late stages of the disease and the implications of this potential neurotropism.

TL;DR: DRG sensory neurons are a potential target for SARS-CoV-2 invasion of the peripheral nervous system and viral infection of human nociceptors may cause some of the persistent neurological effects seen in COVID-19.

TL;DR: The work demonstrates that dopaminergic spinal projections are necessary for the maintenance of a chronic pain state in both sexes; however, D5 receptors seem to play a critical role in males whereas females rely more heavily on D1 receptors, an effect that could be explained by sexual dimorphisms in receptor expression levels.