Tayler D. Sheahan

Kappa opioid receptors in excitatory spinal neurons gate acute pain: evidence from mouse and human

This study shows that KOR-expressing spinal neurons inhibit acute pain by reducing pain-promoting neuropeptide release in both mouse and human.

The Drosophila drop-dead gene is required for eggshell integrity

This study shows that the Drosophila drop-dead gene is essential for vitelline membrane crosslinking during eggshell synthesis, leading to embryonic arrest in mutant females.

Identification of a convergent spinal neuron population that encodes itch

The paper identifies a GRPR-expressing spinal neuron population that encodes itch and shows that kappa opioid receptor agonists inhibit itch by targeting these neurons.

Intrinsic Homeostatic Plasticity in Mouse and Human Sensory Neurons

This study shows that sustained depolarization reduces excitability in mouse and human sensory neurons through decreased voltage-gated sodium currents, suggesting homeostatic plasticity may be altered in chronic pain.

Peripheral kappa opioid receptor activation drives cold hypersensitivity in mice

This study identifies a role for peripheral kappa opioid receptors in driving cold hypersensitivity through modulation of TRPA1 channels in mice.

The neurokinin-1 receptor is expressed with gastrin-releasing peptide receptor in spinal interneurons and modulates itch

This study investigates the role of NK1R spinal neurons in itch using a Tacr1CreER mouse line, showing their involvement in modulating itch behavior through coexpression with GRPR.

Macrophage-to-sensory neuron crosstalk mediated by Angiotensin II type-2 receptor elicits neuropathic pain

This study identifies macrophage AT2R activation as a key driver of neuropathic pain through ROS/NO-mediated TRPA1 activation in sensory neurons.