The Cellular and Synaptic Architecture of the Mechanosensory Dorsal Horn

Publication date: Available online 29 December 2016
Source:Cell
Author(s): Victoria E. Abraira, Emily D. Kuehn, Anda M. Chirila, Mark W. Springel, Alexis A. Toliver, Amanda L. Zimmerman, Lauren L. Orefice, Kieran A. Boyle, Ling Bai, Bryan J. Song, Karleena A. Bashista, Thomas G. O'Neill, Justin Zhuo, Connie Tsan, Jessica Hoynoski, Michael Rutlin, Laura Kus, Vera Niederkofler, Masahiko Watanabe, Susan M. Dymecki, Sacha B. Nelson, Nathaniel Heintz, David I. Hughes, David D. Ginty
The deep dorsal horn is a poorly characterized spinal cord region implicated in processing low-threshold mechanoreceptor (LTMR) information. We report an array of mouse genetic tools for defining neuronal components and functions of the dorsal horn LTMR-recipient zone (LTMR-RZ), a role for LTMR-RZ processing in tactile perception, and the basic logic of LTMR-RZ organization. We found an unexpectedly high degree of neuronal diversity in the LTMR-RZ: seven excitatory and four inhibitory subtypes of interneurons exhibiting unique morphological, physiological, and synaptic properties. Remarkably, LTMRs form synapses on between four and 11 LTMR-RZ interneuron subtypes, while each LTMR-RZ interneuron subtype samples inputs from at least one to three LTMR classes, as well as spinal cord interneurons and corticospinal neurons. Thus, the LTMR-RZ is a somatosensory processing region endowed with a neuronal complexity that rivals the retina and functions to pattern the activity of ascending touch pathways that underlie tactile perception.

Graphical abstract

Teaser

The blueprint of dorsal horn reveals the organizational logic of the low-threshold mechanoreceptor-recipient zone that is essential for tactile perception.


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