Over 150 human DRG neurons were recorded in vitro in an attempt to characterize their electrophysiological profiles, whether they respond to noxious chemicals and inflammatory mediators that can induce peripheral sensitization and explore the possibility of blocking sensitization in hDRG neurons with a pharmacological approach targeting group II metabotropic glutamate receptors. Target validation in these human sensory neurons can enhance analgesic discovery and can respond to AITC, ATP, histamine and chloroquine indicating a robust chemosensitivity that may exceed that of rodents.

AUTHORS: Steve Davidson, Bryan A. Copits, Jingming Zhang, Guy Page, Andrea Ghetti and Robert W. Gereau IV