Xinzhong Dong

An Itch Receptor Drives Melanoma

This study identifies MRGPRX4 as a melanoma driver that promotes invasion, therapy resistance, and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.

A basophil-specific GPCR mediates the immune response to helminth infection

This study identifies Mrgpra6 as a basophil-specific GPCR essential for host defense against helminth infection, showing its role in innate immunity and parasite control.

Genomic repeats for single-cell molecular recording

This paper introduces RGRs, genomic repeats that enable high-resolution single-cell molecular recording, validated in live mice for long-term gene activity tracking.

The role of the neutrophil receptor Mrgpra2 in the formation of itch in atopic dermatitis

This study identifies Mrgpra2's role in AD hyperplasia and chronic itch in mice, showing its deletion reduces scratching and related symptoms.

A mouse model of classical trigeminal neuralgia via intradural compression of the trigeminal nerve

This paper develops a mouse model of classical trigeminal neuralgia by intradural nerve root compression, showing neuropathic pain behaviors and pharmacological responsiveness.

Ectopic engraftment of nociceptive neurons derived from hPSCs for pain relief and joint homeostasis

This paper demonstrates that transplanting CD200-high hPSC-derived nociceptors reduces pain and promotes joint repair in osteoarthritis by acting as decoys for inflammatory ligands and secreting reparative factors.

Local B cell maturation and mast cell regulation of choroid plexus function in early life.

The paper uses single-cell sequencing to study immune cell development in the choroid plexus, showing B cell maturation and mast cell regulation impact brain development.

Phagosome-mediated anti-bacterial immunity is governed by the proton-activated chloride channel in peritoneal macrophages

This study identifies the proton-activated chloride channel as a regulator of phagosome maturation and bacterial killing in peritoneal macrophages, showing its role in immune responses.

The sensitising effect of IgG in fibromyalgia syndrome is mediated by Mrgprb2 in mast cells

This study shows that IgG in fibromyalgia syndrome activates mast cells via Mrgprb2, leading to hypersensitivity and inflammation.

Molecular Display of the Animal Meta-Venome for Discovery of Novel Therapeutic Peptides

The paper develops a computational method to design diverse venom libraries and discovers peptides targeting the human itch receptor MRGPRX4.

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

The paper demonstrates that human amniotic membrane products inhibit post-surgical pain in mice through CD44-dependent pathways and cytoskeleton rearrangements in nociceptive neurons.

Calcium-permeable AMPA receptors govern PV neuron feature selectivity

This study shows that calcium-permeable AMPA receptors (CP-AMPARs) in PV interneurons reduce their feature selectivity, and removing them increases selectivity in visual cortex and hippocampus.

Local keratinocyte-nociceptor interactions enhance obesity-mediated small fiber neuropathy via NGF-TrkA-PI3K signaling axis

This study identifies NGF-TrkA-PI3K signaling in keratinocyte-nociceptor interactions as a driver of obesity-induced small fiber neuropathy and suggests targeting these interactions as a therapeutic strategy.

MrgprA3-expressing pruriceptors drive pruritogen-induced alloknesis through mechanosensitive Piezo2 channel

The paper identifies TRPV1+/MrgprA3+ prurioceptors and Piezo2 channel signaling as drivers of pruritogen-induced alloknesis.

Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals dysregulated fibroblast subclusters in prurigo nodularis

This study uses single-cell RNA sequencing to identify dysregulated fibroblast subclusters in prurigo nodularis, linking them to cancer-associated fibroblast-like phenotypes and increased cancer risks.

Biliverdin reductase bridges focal adhesion kinase to Src to modulate synaptic signaling

This study identifies biliverdin reductase (BVR) as a bridge between FAK/Pyk2 and Src, showing its role in synaptic signaling and learning/memory deficits in BVR-null mice.

Pruriception and neuronal coding in nociceptor subtypes in human and nonhuman primates

The paper investigates pruriception and neuronal coding in nociceptor subtypes in humans and nonhuman primates, finding differences in pruritogen activation and responses compared to rodents.

Activation of MrgprA3 and MrgprC11 on bladder-innervating afferents induces peripheral and central hypersensitivity to bladder distension

This study identifies MrgprA3 and MrgprC11 as functional receptors on bladder afferents that induce hypersensitivity to distension when activated, offering a potential therapeutic target for bladder disorders.

Neuronal histone methyltransferase EZH2 regulates neuronal morphogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and cognitive behavior of mice

This study shows that neuronal EZH2 regulates neuronal morphogenesis and cognitive behavior in mice by controlling gene expression and dendritic spine density.

High-Speed Imaging of Paw Withdrawal Reflex to Objectively Assess Pain State in Mice

This study uses high-speed videography and machine learning to objectively assess mouse pain state through paw withdrawal reflex parameters.

In vivo calcium imaging visualizes peripheral neuron sensitization in murine osteoarthritis

This study uses in vivo calcium imaging to show that DMM surgery increases the number of sensory neurons responding to mechanical stimuli in mice, indicating neuronal sensitization.