The interfacial synergy of hierarchical FeCoNiP@FeNi-LDH heterojunction for efficient alkaline water splitting.

In response to the growing demand for clean, green, and sustainable energy sources, the development of cost-effective and durable high-activity overall water splitting electrocatalysts is urgently needed. In this study, the heterogeneous structure formed by the combination of FeCoNiP and FeNi-LDH was homogeneously dispersed onto CuO nanowires generated by in-situ oxidation of copper foam as a substrate using an electrodeposition method. This multilevel structure exhibits excellent bifunctional properties as an electrode material in alkaline solutions, for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) only 206 mV and 147 mV overpotentials are needed to achieve a current density of 100 mA cm-2 respectively. Full water electrolysis is thus enabled to take place at such a low cell voltage as 1.64 V to reach the current density of 100 mA cm-2, which exhibits a long-term stability of 30 h. These improved electrocatalytic performances stem from the construction of multilevel structures. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy suggests that strong electron transfer occurs between heterogeneous structures, thus facilitating the OER and HER process. The dispersion of CuO nanowires not only increases the electrochemically active surface areas but also improves the overall hydrophilic and aerophobic properties. This work highlights the positive effect of multilevel structure in the design of more efficient electrocatalysts and provides a reference for the preparation of other low-cost, high-activity bifunctional electrocatalysts.

Human birth tissue products as a non-opioid medicine to inhibit post-surgical pain.

Pain after surgery causes significant suffering. Opioid analgesics cause severe side effects and accidental death. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop non-opioid therapies for managing post-surgical pain. Local application of Clarix Flo (FLO), a human amniotic membrane (AM) product, attenuated established post-surgical pain hypersensitivity without exhibiting known side effects of opioid use in mice. This effect was achieved through direct inhibition of nociceptive dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons via CD44-dependent pathways. We further purified the major matrix component, the heavy chain-hyaluronic acid/pentraxin 3 (HC-HA/PTX3) from human AM that has greater purity and water solubility than FLO. HC-HA/PTX3 replicated FLO-induced neuronal and pain inhibition. Mechanistically, HC-HA/PTX3 induced cytoskeleton rearrangements to inhibit sodium current and high-voltage activated calcium current on nociceptive neurons, suggesting it is a key bioactive component mediating pain relief. Collectively, our findings highlight the potential of naturally derived biologics from human birth tissues as an effective non-opioid treatment for post-surgical pain and unravel the underlying mechanisms.

Mapping Somatosensory Afferent Circuitry to Bone Identifies Neurotrophic Signals Required for Fracture Healing.

The profound pain accompanying bone fracture is mediated by somatosensory neurons, which also appear to be required to initiate bone regeneration following fracture. Surprisingly, the precise neuroanatomical circuitry mediating skeletal nociception and regeneration remains incompletely understood. Here, we characterized somatosensory dorsal root ganglia (DRG) afferent neurons innervating murine long bones before and after experimental long bone fracture in mice. Retrograde labeling of DRG neurons by an adeno-associated virus with peripheral nerve tropism showed AAV-tdT signal. Single cell transcriptomic profiling of 6,648 DRG neurons showed highest labeling across CGRP+ neuron clusters (6.9-17.2%) belonging to unmyelinated C fibers, thinly myelinated Aδ fibers and Aß-Field LTMR (9.2%). Gene expression profiles of retrograde labeled DRG neurons over multiple timepoints following experimental stress fracture revealed dynamic changes in gene expression corresponding to the acute inflammatory ( S100a8 , S100a9 ) and mechanical force ( Piezo2 ). Reparative phase after fracture included morphogens such as Tgfb1, Fgf9 and Fgf18 . Two methods to surgically or genetically denervate fractured bones were used in combination with scRNA-seq to implicate defective mesenchymal cell proliferation and osteodifferentiation as underlying the poor bone repair capacity in the presence of attenuated innervation. Finally, multi-tissue scRNA-seq and interactome analyses implicated neuron-derived FGF9 as a potent regulator of fracture repair, a finding compatible with in vitro assessments of neuron-to-skeletal mesenchyme interactions.

Histone methyltransferase Ezh2 coordinates mammalian axon regeneration via regulation of key regenerative pathways.

Current treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and neural injuries face major challenges, primarily due to the diminished regenerative capacity of neurons in the mammalian CNS as they mature. Here, we investigated the role of Ezh2, a histone methyltransferase, in regulating mammalian axon regeneration. We found that Ezh2 declined in the mouse nervous system during maturation but was upregulated in adult dorsal root ganglion neurons following peripheral nerve injury to facilitate spontaneous axon regeneration. In addition, overexpression of Ezh2 in retinal ganglion cells in the CNS promoted optic nerve regeneration via both histone methylation-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Further investigation revealed that Ezh2 fostered axon regeneration by orchestrating the transcriptional silencing of genes governing synaptic function and those inhibiting axon regeneration, while concurrently activating various factors that support axon regeneration. Notably, we demonstrated that GABA transporter 2, encoded by Slc6a13, acted downstream of Ezh2 to control axon regeneration. Overall, our study underscores the potential of modulating chromatin accessibility as a promising strategy for promoting CNS axon regeneration.

Preliminary species diversity and community phylogenetics of wood-inhabiting basidiomycetous fungi in the Dabie Mountains, Central China reveal unexpected richness.

Wood-inhabiting fungi have important economic values as well as playing a major ecological role in forest ecosystem cycles. The Dabie Mountains, at the junction of Henan, Hubei, and Anhui Provinces, Central China, provide an ideal climate and favorable niches for the speciation and diversification of various forms of life including fungi. We studied the species diversity and community phylogenetics of wood-inhabiting basidiomycetous fungi that revealed 175 wood-inhabiting basidiomycetous species, of which 20 represented unidentified species, based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses of 575 specimens collected from ten sampling sites. These species belonged to two classes, 11 orders, 42 families, and 106 genera of Basidiomycota, and included 12 edible species, 28 medicinal species, four poisonous species, and seven forest pathogens. Four types of fungal distribution pattern at the genus level were recognized for 65 genera, while another 41 genera could not be placed in any known distribution pattern. The five sampling sites in the eastern part of the Dabie Mountains had significantly higher species diversity and phylogenetic diversity of wood-inhabiting basidiomycetous fungi than those in the western part, and thus deserve priority in terms of conservation. The community of wood-inhabiting basidiomycetous fungi in the Dabie Mountains is generally affected by a combination of habitat filtering and competitive exclusion. This study provides a basis on which to build actions for the comprehensive recognition, utilization, and conservation of wood-inhabiting basidiomycetous fungi in the region.

Lung Cancer Risk Attributable to Active Smoking in China: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: No consensus exists on the relative risk ( RR) of lung cancer (LC) attributable to active smoking in China. This study aimed to evaluate the unified RR of LC attributable to active smoking among the Chinese population. Methods: A systematic literature search of seven databases was conducted to identify studies reporting active smoking among smokers versus nonsmokers in China. Primary articles on LC providing risk estimates with their 95% confidence intervals ( CIs) for "ever" "former" or "current" smokers from China were selected. Meta-analysis was used to estimate the pooled RR of active smoking. Results: Forty-four unique studies were included. Compared with that of nonsmokers, the pooled RR (95% CI) for "ever" "former" and "current" smokers were 3.26 (2.79-3.82), 2.95 (1.71-5.08), and 5.16 (2.58-10.34) among men, 3.18 (2.78-3.63), 2.70 (2.08-3.51), and 4.27 (3.61-5.06) among women, and 2.71 (2.12-3.46), 2.66 (2.45-2.88), and 4.21 (3.25-5.45) in both sexes combined, respectively. Conclusion: The RR of LC has remained relatively stable (range, 2-6) over the past four decades in China. Early quitting of smoking could reduce the RR to some extent; however, completely refraining from smoking is the best way to avoid its adverse effects.

Retinal ganglion cell repopulation for vision restoration in optic neuropathy: a roadmap from the RReSTORe Consortium.

Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death in glaucoma and other optic neuropathies results in irreversible vision loss due to the mammalian central nervous system's limited regenerative capacity. RGC repopulation is a promising therapeutic approach to reverse vision loss from optic neuropathies if the newly introduced neurons can reestablish functional retinal and thalamic circuits. In theory, RGCs might be repopulated through the transplantation of stem cell-derived neurons or via the induction of endogenous transdifferentiation. The RGC Repopulation, Stem Cell Transplantation, and Optic Nerve Regeneration (RReSTORe) Consortium was established to address the challenges associated with the therapeutic repair of the visual pathway in optic neuropathy. In 2022, the RReSTORe Consortium initiated ongoing international collaborative discussions to advance the RGC repopulation field and has identified five critical areas of focus: (1) RGC development and differentiation, (2) Transplantation methods and models, (3) RGC survival, maturation, and host interactions, (4) Inner retinal wiring, and (5) Eye-to-brain connectivity. Here, we discuss the most pertinent questions and challenges that exist on the path to clinical translation and suggest experimental directions to propel this work going forward. Using these five subtopic discussion groups (SDGs) as a framework, we suggest multidisciplinary approaches to restore the diseased visual pathway by leveraging groundbreaking insights from developmental neuroscience, stem cell biology, molecular biology, optical imaging, animal models of optic neuropathy, immunology & immunotolerance, neuropathology & neuroprotection, materials science & biomedical engineering, and regenerative neuroscience. While significant hurdles remain, the RReSTORe Consortium's efforts provide a comprehensive roadmap for advancing the RGC repopulation field and hold potential for transformative progress in restoring vision in patients suffering from optic neuropathies.

X chromosome encoded histone demethylase UTX regulates mammalian axon regeneration via microRNA-124.

Neurons in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) gradually lose their intrinsic regeneration capacity during maturation mainly because of altered transcription profile. Recent studies have made great progress by identifying genes that can be manipulated to enhance CNS regeneration. However, as a complex process involving many genes and signaling networks, it is of great importance to deciphering the underlying neuronal chromatin and transcriptomic landscape coordinating CNS regeneration. Here we identify UTX, an X-chromosome associated gene encoding a histone demethylase, as a novel regulator of mammalian neural regeneration. We demonstrate that UTX acts as a repressor of spontaneous axon regeneration in the peripheral nerve system (PNS). In the CNS, either knocking out or pharmacological inhibiting UTX in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) leads to significantly enhanced neuronal survival and optic nerve regeneration. RNA-seq profiling revealed that deleting UTX switches the RGC transcriptomics into a developmental-like state. Moreover, microRNA-124, one of the most abundant microRNAs in mature neurons, is identified as a downstream target of UTX and blocking endogenous microRNA124-5p results in robust optic nerve regeneration. These findings revealed a novel histone modification-microRNA epigenetic signaling network orchestrating transcriptomic landscape supporting CNS neural regeneration.

Verteporfin Exerts Anticancer Effects and Reverses Resistance to Paclitaxel via Inducing Ferroptosis in Esophageal Squamous Cell Cancer Cells.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors. Ferroptosis is a new form of regulated cell death and targeting ferroptosis provides a novel therapeutic approach for human cancers. Verteporfin (VP) has been identified as a Yes-associated protein (YAP) inhibitor for treatment of several human cancers. However, it remains unclear whether VP exerts anticancer activity by inducing ferroptosis in ESCC cells. In the current study, we found that VP reduced cell viability and led to cell death in ESCC cell lines (KYSE150 and KYSE30) by inhibiting YAP expression. Subsequently, the findings revealed that VP treatment triggered significant ferroptosis events, including accumulation of Fe2+, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expression. Further study showed that the effects of ESCC cell proliferation and death caused by VP could be reversed by ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1). Moreover, VP enhanced the chemosensitivity of ESCC resistant cells to paclitaxel (PTX). And VP combined with PTX can synergistically inhibit cell proliferation and induce cell death by triggering ferroptosis of PTX-resistant cells. All these data suggested that VP suppressed ESCC cell survival and reversed resistance to PTX through inducing ferroptosis, which may provide a promising therapeutic strategy for ESCC.

Poly(I:C)-induced maternal immune activation causes elevated self-grooming in male rat offspring: Involvement of abnormal postpartum static nursing in dam.

Introduction: Maternal immune activation (MIA) is closely related to the onset of autism-like behaviors in offspring, but the mechanism remains unclear. Maternal behaviors can influence offspring's development and behaviors, as indicated in both human and animal studies. We hypothesized that abnormal maternal behaviors in MIA dams might be other factors leading to delayed development and abnormal behaviors in offspring. Methods: To verify our hypothesis, we analyzed poly(I:C)-induced MIA dam's postpartum maternal behavior and serum levels of several hormones related to maternal behavior. Pup's developmental milestones and early social communication were recorded and evaluated in infancy. Other behavioral tests, including three-chamber test, self-grooming test, open field test, novel object recognition test, rotarod test and maximum grip test, were performed in adolescence of pups. Results: Our results showed that MIA dams exhibit abnormal static nursing behavior but normal basic care and dynamic nursing behavior. The serum levels of testosterone and arginine vasopressin in MIA dams were significantly reduced compared with control dams. The developmental milestones, including pinna detachment, incisor eruption and eye opening, were significantly delayed in MIA offspring compared with control offspring, while the weight and early social communication showed no significant differences between the two groups. Behavioral tests performed in adolescence showed that only male MIA offspring display elevated self-grooming behaviors and reduced maximum grip. Discussion: In conclusion, MIA dams display abnormal postpartum static nursing behavior concomitantly with reduced serum levels of testosterone and arginine vasopressin, possibly involving in the pathogenesis of delayed development and elevated self-grooming in male offspring. These findings hint that improving dam's postpartum maternal behavior might be a potential regime to counteract delayed development and elevated self-grooming in male MIA offspring.

YAP inhibitor verteporfin suppresses tumor angiogenesis and overcomes chemoresistance in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Targeting angiogenesis is an attractive strategy for the effective treatment of cancer. This study aimed to investigate the anti-cancer activities of YAP inhibitor verteporfin (VP) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells through its inhibitory effect on tumor angiogenesis. METHODS: Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion abilities were estimated by MTT, colony formation, DAPI staining, wound healing and transwell assays, respectively. Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) tube formation assay and chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model were used to observe angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. The interactions between ESCC cells and HUVECs were assessed by cell chemotactic migration and adhesion assays. The expression levels of angiogenesis-related molecules were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: We found that VP was potential to inhibit ESCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and induce apoptosis in the dose-dependent fashion. VP also significantly suppressed proliferation, migration, and tube formation of HUVECs and promoted apoptosis of HUVECs, and reduced angiogenesis in CAM. Moreover, VP inhibited ESCC cell-induced angiogenesis in vitro by decreasing HUVEC chemotactic migration, adhesion and tube formation, and also reduced ESCC cell-induced neovascularization of the CAM in vivo. In addition, VP suppressed the expression of pro-angiogenic molecules such as VEGFA, MMP-2 and ß-catenin in ESCC cells. Furtherly, VP increased the chemosensitivity of ESCC-resistant cells to paclitaxel (PTX). The combination of VP and PTX attenuated the resistant cell-mediated angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION: These results reveal for the first time that VP potently inhibits malignant progression and overcomes chemoresistance of ESCC cells via inhibition of tumor angiogenesis. It provides insight into a new strategy for the treatment of ESCC that VP could be a potential drug candidate for targeting tumor angiogenesis.

The Association between Exposure to Second-Hand Smoke and Disease in the Chinese Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: To analyze the association between exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) and 23 diseases, categorized into four classifications, among the Chinese population. Methods: We searched the literature up to June 30, 2021, and eligible studies were identified according to the PECOS format: Participants and Competitors (Chinese population), Exposure (SHS), Outcomes (Disease or Death), and Study design (Case-control or Cohort). Results: In total, 53 studies were selected. The odds ratio (OR) for all types of cancer was 1.79 (1.56-2.05), and for individual cancers was 1.92 (1.42-2.59) for lung cancer, 1.57 (1.40-1.76) for breast cancer, 1.52 (1.12-2.05) for bladder cancer, and 1.37 (1.08-1.73) for liver cancer. The OR for circulatory system diseases was 1.92 (1.29-2.85), with a value of 2.29 (1.26-4.159) for stroke. The OR of respiratory system diseases was 1.76 (1.13-2.74), with a value of 1.82 (1.07-3.11) for childhood asthma. The original ORs were also shown for other diseases. Subgroup analyses were performed for lung and breast cancer. The ORs varied according to time period and were significant during exposure in the household; For lung cancer, the OR was significant in women. Conclusion: The effect of SHS exposure in China was similar to that in Western countries, but its definition and characterization require further clarification. Studies on the association between SHS exposure and certain diseases with high incidence rates are insufficient.

Umbellaceae fam. nov. (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) for Umbellus sinensis gen. et sp. nov. and Three New Combinations.

Hymenochaetales, belonging to Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota, comprises most polypores and corticioid fungi and, also, a few agarics. The latest taxonomic framework accepts 14 families in this order. When further exploring species diversity of Hymenochaetales, two corticioid specimens collected from China producing cystidia with large umbrella-shaped crystalline heads attracted our attention. This kind of cystidia was reported only in three unsequenced species, viz. Tubulicrinis corneri, T. hamatus and T. umbraculus, which were accepted in Tubulicrinaceae, Hymenochaetales. The current multilocus-based phylogeny supports that the two Chinese specimens formed an independent lineage from Tubulicrinaceae as well as the additional 13 families and all sampled genera in Hymenochaetales. Therefore, a monotypic family, Umbellaceae, is newly described with the new genus Umbellus as the type genus to represent this lineage. The two Chinese specimens are newly described as U. sinensis, which differs from T. corneri, T. hamatus, and T. umbraculus in a combination of a smooth to grandinioid hymenophoral surface, not flattened, broadly ellipsoid basidiospores with a tiny apiculus, and growth on angiosperm wood. Due to the presence of the unique cystidia, the three species of Tubulicrinis, even though they lack available molecular sequences, are transferred to Umbellus as U. corneri, U. hamatus, and U. umbraculus. Hereafter, all known species with large umbrella-shaped crystalline-headed cystidia are in a single genus. In summary, the current study provides a supplement to the latest taxonomic framework of Hymenochaetales and will help to further explore species diversity and the evolution of this fungal order.

scRNA-sequencing reveals subtype-specific transcriptomic perturbations in DRG neurons of PirtEGFPf mice in neuropathic pain condition.

Functionally distinct subtypes/clusters of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons may play different roles in nerve regeneration and pain. However, details about their transcriptomic changes under neuropathic pain conditions remain unclear. Chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve represents a well-established model of neuropathic pain, and we conducted single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) to characterize subtype-specific perturbations of transcriptomes in lumbar DRG neurons on day 7 post-CCI. By using PirtEGFPf mice that selectively express an enhanced green fluorescent protein in DRG neurons, we established a highly efficient purification process to enrich neurons for scRNA-seq. We observed the emergence of four prominent CCI-induced clusters and a loss of marker genes in injured neurons. Importantly, a portion of injured neurons from several clusters were spared from injury-induced identity loss, suggesting subtype-specific transcriptomic changes in injured neurons. Moreover, uninjured neurons, which are necessary for mediating the evoked pain, also demonstrated cell-type-specific transcriptomic perturbations in these clusters, but not in others. Notably, male and female mice showed differential transcriptomic changes in multiple neuronal clusters after CCI, suggesting transcriptomic sexual dimorphism in DRG neurons after nerve injury. Using Fgf3 as a proof-of-principle, RNAscope study provided further evidence of increased Fgf3 in injured neurons after CCI, supporting scRNA-seq analysis, and calcium imaging study unraveled a functional role of Fgf3 in neuronal excitability. These findings may contribute to the identification of new target genes and the development of DRG neuron cell-type-specific therapies for optimizing neuropathic pain treatment and nerve regeneration.

Reprogramming neurons for regeneration: The fountain of youth.

Neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) are terminally differentiated cells that gradually lose their ability to support regeneration during maturation due to changes in transcriptomic and chromatin landscape. Similar transcriptomic changes also occur during development when stem cells differentiate into different types of somatic cells. Importantly, differentiated cells can be reprogrammed back to induced pluripotent stems cells (iPSCs) via global epigenetic remodeling by combined overexpression of pluripotent reprogramming factors, including Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc, Nanog, and/or Lin28. Moreover, recent findings showed that many proneural transcription factors were able to convert non-neural somatic cells into neurons bypassing the pluripotent stage via direct reprogramming. Interestingly, many of these factors have recently been identified as key regulators of CNS neural regeneration. Recent studies indicated that these factors could rejuvenate mature CNS neurons back to a younger state through cellular state reprogramming, thus favoring regeneration. Here we will review some recent findings regarding the roles of genetic cellular state reprogramming in regulation of neural regeneration and explore the potential underlying molecular mechanisms. Moreover, by using newly emerging techniques, such as multiomics sequencing with big data analysis and Crispr-based gene editing, we will discuss future research directions focusing on better revealing cellular state reprogramming-induced remodeling of chromatin landscape and potential translational application.

Redelimitation of Heteroradulum (Auriculariales, Basidiomycota) with H.australiense sp. nov.

Auriculariales accommodates species with diverse basidiomes and hymenophores. From morphological and phylogenetic perspectives, we perform a taxonomic study on Heteroradulum, a recently validated genus within the Auriculariales. The genus Grammatus is merged into Heteroradulum, and thus its generic type G.labyrinthinus is combined with Heteroradulum and G.semis is reaccepted as a member of Heteroradulum. Heteroradulumaustraliense is newly described on the basis of three Australian specimens. Heteroradulumyunnanense is excluded from this genus and its taxonomic position at the generic level is considered uncertain. Accordingly, the circumscription of Heteroradulum is re-delimited and the concept of this genus is adjusted by including irpicoid to poroid hymenophores and a hyphal system with clamp connections or simple septa. A key to all nine accepted species of Heteroradulum is presented.

Species Diversification of the Coniferous Pathogenic Fungal Genus Coniferiporia (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) in Association with Its Biogeography and Host Plants.

Coniferiporia, belonging to Hymenochaetaceae and now segregated from Phellinidium, is a wood-inhabiting fungal genus with three species, each having a specific geographic distribution and a strong host specificity as a forest pathogen of coniferous trees. In this study, the species diversity of Coniferiporia is further clarified with the aid of a wider sampling and multilocus-based phylogenetic analysis, which reveals a new species Coniferiporia uzbekistanensis. The molecular clock and ancestral geographic origin analyses indicate that the ancestor of Coniferiporia emerged in one of the Pinaceae and Cupressaceae, then jumped to the other plant family originated in eastern Eurasia 17.01 million years ago (Mya; 95% highest posterior density: 9.46 to 25.86 Mya), and later extended its distribution to western North America, Central Asia, and eastern Europe. Coniferiporia sulphurascens speciated on Pinaceae in eastern Eurasia 8.78 Mya (9.46 to 25.86 Mya) and then extended its distribution to western North America and eastern Europe. Coniferiporia qilianensis and C. uzbekistanensis speciated on Juniperus przewalskii in eastern Eurasia 3.67 Mya (0.36 to 8.02 Mya) and on Juniperus polycarpos in Central Asia 4.35 Mya (0.94 to 8.37 Mya), respectively. The speciation event of Coniferiporia weirii occurred 4.45 Mya (0.77 to 9.33 Mya) right after the emergence of its host, the endemic Cupressaceae species Thuja plicata, and soon after, this fungus evolved to also inhabit another endemic Cupressaceae species Calocedrus decurrens. In summary, this study for the first time unambiguously clarified and timed the adaptive evolutionary event of Coniferiporia in association with its biogeography and host plants.

Synchronized cluster firing, a distinct form of sensory neuron activation, drives spontaneous pain.

Spontaneous pain refers to pain occurring without external stimuli. It is a primary complaint in chronic pain conditions and remains difficult to treat. Moreover, the mechanisms underlying spontaneous pain remain poorly understood. Here we employed in vivo imaging of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and discovered a distinct form of abnormal spontaneous activity following peripheral nerve injury: clusters of adjacent DRG neurons firing synchronously and sporadically. The level of cluster firing correlated directly with nerve injury-induced spontaneous pain behaviors. Furthermore, we demonstrated that cluster firing is triggered by activity of sympathetic nerves, which sprout into DRGs after injury, and identified norepinephrine as a key neurotransmitter mediating this unique firing. Chemogenetic and pharmacological manipulations of sympathetic activity and norepinephrine receptors suggest that they are necessary and sufficient for DRG cluster firing and spontaneous pain behavior. Therefore, blocking sympathetically mediated cluster firing may be a new paradigm for treating spontaneous pain.

Spatial transcriptomics reveals a role for sensory nerves in preserving cranial suture patency through modulation of BMP/TGF-ß signaling.

The patterning and ossification of the mammalian skeleton requires the coordinated actions of both intrinsic bone morphogens and extrinsic neurovascular signals, which function in a temporal and spatial fashion to control mesenchymal progenitor cell (MPC) fate. Here, we show the genetic inhibition of tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) sensory nerve innervation of the developing cranium results in premature calvarial suture closure, associated with a decrease in suture MPC proliferation and increased mineralization. In vitro, axons from peripheral afferent neurons derived from dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) of wild-type mice induce MPC proliferation in a spatially restricted manner via a soluble factor when cocultured in microfluidic chambers. Comparative spatial transcriptomic analysis of the cranial sutures in vivo confirmed a positive association between sensory axons and proliferative MPCs. SpatialTime analysis across the developing suture revealed regional-specific alterations in bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and TGF-ß signaling pathway transcripts in response to TrkA inhibition. RNA sequencing of DRG cell bodies, following direct, axonal coculture with MPCs, confirmed the alterations in BMP/TGF-ß signaling pathway transcripts. Among these, the BMP inhibitor follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1) replicated key features of the neural-to-bone influence, including mitogenic and anti-osteogenic effects via the inhibition of BMP/TGF-ß signaling. Taken together, our results demonstrate that sensory nerve-derived signals, including FSTL1, function to coordinate cranial bone patterning by regulating MPC proliferation and differentiation in the suture mesenchyme.