title: Channelrhodopsin-2-expressed dorsal root ganglion neurons activates calcium channel currents and increases action potential in spinal cord.
abstract: METHODS
  We used optogenetic techniques in spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuron studies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated changes in channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) expression in the spinal cord and DRG neurons using optogenetic techniques. The results show the possibility of using optogenetics to treat neuropathic pain.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Previous studies have shown that activated ChR2 induces an increase in DRG neuron action potential.
  
  
  METHODS
  Western blot analysis was used to measure ChR2 protein levels in the spinal cord and DRG neurons or rats intrathecally injected with ChR2 lentivirus. Electrophysiology recording was used to detect differences in action potential levels in the spinal cord and calcium channel currents in the DRG neurons.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our studies showed that ChR2 expression increased the action potential in the spinal cord and increased calcium channel currents in DRG neurons.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We successfully expressed the ChR2 protein in the spinal cord and DRG neurons. We also found that ChR2 increased the action potential in the spinal cord and activated the calcium channel in DRG neurons. These findings support the research possibilities of using optogenetic studies to improve treatment for neuropathic pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  N/A.
authors.affiliation: From the Departments of *Anesthesiology and †Reproductive Medical Center, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China ‡Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX §Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX ¶Institution of Nutrition, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Changqing Garden, Wuhan, People's Republic of China ‖Institution of Nutrition, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Changqing Garden, Wuha, People's Republic of China; and Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX.
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yue
authors.forename: Midan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ai
authors.forename: Zhigang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Zhiguo
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xuehong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D000075402:Channelrhodopsins; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000166:cytology; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D016086:Lentivirus / Q000235:genetics; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D062308:Optogenetics / Q000379:methods; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014162:Transfection / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D000075402:Channelrhodopsins; D008164:Luminescent Proteins