Nerve growth factor (NGF) augments the excitability of isolated rat sensory neurons through activation of the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75(NTR)) and its downstream sphingomyelin signaling cascade, wherein neutral sphingomyelinase(s) (nSMase), ceramide, and the atypical protein-kinase C (aPKC), protein-kinase M zeta (PKMζ), are key mediators. Here we examined these same receptor-pathways in vi...

Little is known about the contribution of C-afferent fibres to chronic painful conditions in humans. We sought to investigate the role of C-fibres in the pathophysiology of pain and hyperalgesia in erythromelalgia as a model disease for chronic pain. Erythromelalgia is a condition characterized by painful, red and hot extremities, and patients often report tenderness on walking. We made microne...

Sensing force is crucial to maintain the viability of all living cells. Despite its fundamental importance, how force is sensed at the molecular level remains largely unknown. Here we show that stomatin-like protein-3 (STOML3) controls membrane mechanics by binding cholesterol and thus facilitates force transfer and tunes the sensitivity of mechano-gated channels, including Piezo channels. STOM...

In this study the behavioral effects of sectioning the saphenous nerve at the time of application of the loose ligature and the effect of a selective ?1-adrenergic antagonist for two weeks after tying ligatures was examined. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. Animals were divided into six groups: Sham-operated, sciatic nerve ligation (CCI), saphenous nerve section (Saph), CCI + S...

Internal mechano-sensors, as an indispensable part of the proprioceptive system intelligent equipment, have attracted enormous research interest because their extremely crucial role in monitoring machining processes, real-time diagnosis equipment faults, adaptive motor control and so on. The mechano-sensory structure with signal-transduction function is important factor determining sensing perf...

Recent findings suggest that itch produced by intradermal insertion of cowhage spicules in human is histamine independent. Neuronal mechanisms underlying nonhistaminergic itch are poorly understood. To investigate which nerve fibers mediate cowhage induced itch in man, action potentials were recorded from cutaneous C-fibers of the peroneal nerve in healthy volunteers using microneurography. Mec...

In the fern Adiantum capillus-veneris, chloroplast movement is induced by mechanical stimulation as well as by light stimulation. Directional movement of both types depends on an actin-based motile system. To investigate the physiological relationship between mechanical and light signaling in the regulation of chloroplast movement, we examined the mechano-response of chloroplasts whose motility...

Animals employ mechano-sensory systems to detect and explore their environment. Mechano-sensation encompasses stimuli such as constant pressure, surface movement or vibrations at various intensities that need to be segregated in the central nervous system. Besides different receptor structures, sensory filtering via intrinsic response properties could provide a convenient way to solve this prob...

Pain sensitivity was assessed in 11 patients (age 60 +/- 10 years) with 'primary' restless leg syndrome (RLS) (disease duration 18 +/- 15 years) and 11 age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects. Stimulus-response functions for pricking pain were obtained with seven calibrated punctate mechanical stimulators activating Adelta-high threshold mechano-nociceptors. Stimuli at the foot were si...

In this study the behavioral effects of sectioning the saphenous nerve at the time of application of the loose ligature and the effect of a selective ?1-adrenergic antagonist for two weeks after tying ligatures was examined. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. Animals were divided into six groups: Sham-operated, sciatic nerve ligation (CCI), saphenous nerve section (Saph), CCI + S...