Quantitative differences in neuronal subpopulations between mouse and human dorsal root ganglia demonstrated with RNAscope in situ hybridization

Abstract

Next generation transcriptomics in combination with imaging-based approaches have emerged as powerful tools for the characterization of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuronal subpopulations. The mouse DRG has been well-characterized by many independently conducted studies with convergent findings, but few studies have directly compared expression of population markers between mouse and human. This is important because of our increasing reliance on the mouse as a preclinical model for translational studies. While calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and P2X purinergic ion channel type 3 receptor (P2X3R) have been used to define peptidergic and non-peptidergic nociceptor subpopulations, respectively, in mouse DRG, these populations may be different in other species. To directly test this, as well as a host of other markers, we used multiplex RNAscope in-situ hybridization to elucidate the distribution of a multitude of unique and classic neuronal mRNAs in peptidergic (CGRP expressing) and non-peptidergic (P2X3R expressing) nociceptor subpopulations in mouse and human DRG. We found a large overlapping CGRP and P2X3R neuronal subpopulation in human, lumbar DRG that was not present in mouse. We also found differential expression in a variety of mRNAs for Trp-channels, cholinergic receptors, potassium channels, sodium channels, other markers/targets. These data offer insights into the spatial and functional organization of neuronal cell subpopulations in the rodent and human DRG and support the idea that sensory system organizational principles are likely different between both species.