Pain and itch processing by subpopulations of molecularly diverse spinal and trigeminal projection neurons

Abstract

A remarkable molecular and functional heterogeneity of the primary sensory neurons and dorsal horn interneurons transmits pain- and or itch-relevant information, but the molecular signature of the projection neurons that convey the messages to the brain is unclear. Here, using retro-TRAP (translating ribosome affinity purification) and RNA sequencing, we reveal extensive molecular diversity of spino- and trigeminoparabrachial projection neurons. Among the many genes identified, we highlight distinct subsets of Cck+-, Nptx2+-, Nmb+-, and Crh+-expressing projection neurons. By combining in situ hybridization of retrogradely labeled neurons with Fos-based assays, we also demonstrate significant functional heterogeneity, including both convergence and segregation of pain- and itch-provoking inputs into molecularly diverse subsets of NK1R- and non–NK1R-expressing projection neurons.