Joseph B. Lesnak

History of opioid use disorder correlates with altered neuroimmune signatures in the human dorsal root ganglia

The paper examines molecular and physiological changes in dorsal root ganglia from individuals with and without opioid use disorder, identifying altered neuroimmune signatures and sensitized sensory neurons.

Leptin Drives Osteoarthritis Pain Through Sensory Neuron Reprogramming Independent of Cartilage Signaling

This study shows leptin drives OA pain via sensory neuron reprogramming, not cartilage signaling, by analyzing mouse models and human datasets.

Antibiotics modulate activity of mouse and human dorsal root ganglia neurons

The paper shows that antibiotics like β-lactams, macrolides, and tetracyclines alter calcium flux in DRG neurons through mechanisms involving extracellular calcium, TRPA1, and mitochondrial ROS.

DRG meningeal tertiary lymphoid structures are regulated by B cells as a pronociceptive locus after peripheral nerve injury

The paper shows that B cell-derived IgG in DRG meninges forms tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) that drive neuropathic pain after peripheral nerve injury, and disrupting TLSs prevents pain.

T-cell distribution in the dorsal root ganglion across species, sex, and age

The paper investigates T-cell distribution in the dorsal root ganglion across species, sex, and age, finding similar levels in humans, non-human primates, and pigs, but fewer in rats and absent in mice, with sex and age differences in humans.

Adipose-driven complement-lipid reprogramming controls nociceptive vulnerability in obesity-associated osteoarthritis

The paper identifies an adipose-complement-lipid axis that systemically regulates sensory neuron sensitization, explaining pain-structure discordance in obesity-associated osteoarthritis.

Progressive neurodegeneration in human dorsal root ganglion from diabetes to painful neuropathy

The paper investigates neurodegeneration in dorsal root ganglia across diabetes and diabetic painful neuropathy stages, identifying early molecular changes and highlighting the need for early intervention.

A Reference Atlas of the Human Dorsal Root Ganglion

This paper constructs a human dorsal root ganglion reference atlas, identifying 22 neuronal subtypes and 10 non-neuronal cell types, and reveals functional differences between human and mouse DRG neurons.

Nerve-targeting and pain-promoting transcriptomic signatures in early Guillain-Barre syndrome

This study identifies transcriptomic signatures in GBS patients that reveal leukocyte interactions with peripheral nerves and pain pathways, suggesting therapeutic targets for neuropathic pain.

Enabling wider access to human molecular neuroscience research in pain: A simple preservation method for human dorsal root ganglion neurons in Hibernate A media

This paper introduces a method to preserve human dorsal root ganglion neurons using Hibernate media, enabling easier access and transport for research.

Suzetrigine (VX-548) exhibits activity-dependent effects on human dorsal root ganglion neurons

This study examines suzetrigine's effects on human dorsal root ganglion neurons, showing it suppresses spontaneous pain-related discharges but requires longer exposure to affect evoked pain.

Expansion of OSMR expression and signaling in the human dorsal root ganglion links OSM to neuropathic pain

The paper shows OSM-OSMR signaling via MAPKs drives transcriptomic changes in human DRG linked to neuropathic pain.

Multi-omic integration with human DRG proteomics highlights TNFα signalling as a relevant sexually dimorphic pathway

The paper integrates human DRG proteomics with multi-omic data to identify TNFα signalling as a sexually dimorphic pathway in the PNS.

Nageotte nodules in human DRG reveal neurodegeneration in painful diabetic neuropathy

The paper identifies Nageotte nodules in diabetic painful neuropathy DRGs, showing they contain dead neurons and are linked to pain and sensory loss.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor contributes to activity-induced muscle pain in male but not female mice

This study shows that BDNF contributes to activity-induced muscle pain in male mice but not female mice, with no sex differences in BDNF expression changes.

Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator Microparticle Formulation Reverses Muscle Hyperalgesia in Mouse Model of Widespread Muscle Pain

A selective androgen receptor modulator microparticle formulation alleviates widespread muscle pain in male and female mice while being non-toxic.