In vivo Pirt- Marina voltage sensor imaging detects primary sensory neuron-specific voltage dynamics and neuronal plasticity changes

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Zhang, Yan; Son, Hyeonwi; Shannonhouse, John; Gomez, Ruben; Kim, Eungyung; Ai, Chih - Hsuan; Chung, Man - Kyo; Platisa, Jelena; Pieribone, Vincent A.; Kim, Yu Shin
• 署名单位: University System of Maryland; University of Maryland Baltimore; Yale University; The John B Pierce Laboratory, Inc; Yale University; Yale University; University of Texas System; University of Texas at San Antonio; University of Alabama System; University of Alabama Birmingham
• 刊物名称: PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0027-11434
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2416712122
• 发表日期: 2025-09-16
• 关键词: cell-type; indicator; capsaicin; protein; subpopulation; sensitization; nociceptors; inhibition; allodynia; itch

摘要

In vivo voltage imaging is a powerful tool for monitoring action potentials and dynamic electrical events in heterogeneous sensory neurons enabling the deciphering of rapid somatosensory information processing. Virus-driven expression of genetically encoded voltage indicator (GEVI) suffers from inconsistent expression levels and offers a limited time window for optimal voltage imaging. Here, we generated and characterized a knock-in mouse line with Pirt-driven expression of Marina, a positively tuned GEVI, in primary sensory neurons. Pirt-Marina mice enable optical reporting of touch, itch, and nociceptive sensations in vivo and distinct action potential patterns in the trigeminal and dorsal root ganglion neurons. Notably, Pirt-Marina mice display robust fluorescence signals in response to mechanical, thermal, or chemical stimuli, allowing visualization of transformations in sensory coding following inflammation and injury. This Pirt-Marina mouse line provides optical access to dynamic neuronal activity and plasticity in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) with high temporal accuracy, fidelity, and reliability.