Paul A. Heppenstall

Ribosomal protein L24 modulates mammalian microRNA processing and transfer RNA fragment production

This study identifies RPL24 as a regulator of miR processing and tRF production, showing its interaction with DDX5 and its effect on miR levels and tRF profiles in human and plant cells.

PRE-INJURY MECHANORECEPTOR ABLATION REDUCES NOCICEPTOR-DRIVEN SPINAL CORD INJURY-INDUCED NEUROPATHIC PAIN

This study investigates the role of mechanoreceptors and nociceptors in spinal cord injury-induced neuropathic pain, finding that early mechanoreceptor ablation reduces pain behavior, while nociceptor hyperexcitability and sprouting are key drivers of pain.

Microglial refinement of A-fibre projections in the postnatal spinal cord dorsal horn is required for normal maturation of dynamic touch.

This study shows that microglia phagocytose A-fibre terminals in the spinal cord dorsal horn during postnatal development, and their absence leads to hypersensitivity to dynamic touch.

Intra-articular AAV-PHP.S mediated chemogenetic targeting of knee-innervating dorsal root ganglion neurons alleviates inflammatory pain in mice.

This study uses AAV-PHP.S to deliver chemogenetic receptors to knee-innervating DRG neurons, showing that inhibitory DREADDs reduce inflammation-induced pain in mice.

Identification of a novel population of peripheral sensory neuron that regulates blood pressure

The paper identifies a novel population of sensory neurons that regulate blood pressure through the autonomic nervous system.

NGF-mediated photoablation of nociceptors reduces pain behavior in mice

This paper describes a method to selectively photoablate nociceptors in mice using a modified NGF ligand and NIR light, reducing pain behaviors in multiple pain models.

A chemogenetic approach for optical monitoring of voltage in neurons

The paper introduces a chemogenetic tool for optical voltage monitoring in neurons using a fluorescent probe that detects both supra- and subthreshold activity.

A congenital pain insensitivity mutation in the nerve growth factor gene uncouples nociception from affective pain in heterozygous humans and mice

This study investigates how congenital pain insensitivity in heterozygous humans and mice affects affective pain responses, finding dissociated effects on learned fear and neural processing.

Control of mechanical pain hypersensitivity through ligand-targeted photoablation of TrkB positive sensory neurons

This study identifies TrkB-expressing sensory neurons as key to mechanical allodynia and demonstrates their ablation as a treatment for neuropathic pain.

Molecule guided laser ablation as a novel therapeutic strategy to control itch.

This paper develops a molecule-guided laser ablation strategy to control itch by targeting itch-sensing neurons in mouse models of skin diseases.