Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40692582›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in neuroscience2025

Sensory-spinal neuron co-culture platform enables analysis of sensory-driven spinal activation.

Yuki Miyahara, Kenta Shimba, Kiyoshi Kotani, Yasuhiko Jimbo

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in neuroscience, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Yuki MiyaharaDepartment of Human and Engineered Environmental Studies, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan.
Kenta ShimbaDepartment of Human and Engineered Environmental Studies, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan.
Kiyoshi KotaniDepartment of Human and Engineered Environmental Studies, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan.
Yasuhiko JimboDepartment of Precision Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Pain plays a crucial role in selecting behaviors essential for survival. Nociceptive stimuli are converted into neuronal signals by dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and transmitted via the spinal cord to the brain, where pain is perceived. Chronic pain, characterized by prolonged nociceptive signaling, significantly reduces the quality of life. Specifically, nociplastic pain arises due to heightened spinal neuronal activity. However, the mechanisms underlying this persistent increase remain unclear, impeding the development of effective treatments. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop an experimental platform to investigate how sensory neuron signals increase spinal neuronal activity. Methods: We developed a specialized microstructure enabling a separate culture of DRG and spinal neurons connected functionally by axons extending through microtunnels. Results: Immunofluorescence staining confirmed precise spatial separation and robust neuronal network formation. Microstructures were integrated with high-density microelectrode arrays to facilitate electrophysiological recordings during co-culture. Optogenetic stimulation of DRG neurons significantly activate the spinal neurons, which are not active spontaneously, and increase synchronous activity by 11.8-fold in the spinal neuronal network. Notably, elevated spinal neuron activity persisted for at least 20 min after stimulation ceased, indicating a prolonged neuronal response. Conclusion: This novel co-culture system provides a powerful tool for elucidating the pathogenic mechanisms underlying chronic pain, potentially guiding future therapeutic strategies.

Indexed as

co-culturedorsal root ganglion neuronelectrical recordinghigh-density microelectrode arraymicrofabricationoptogenetic stimulationspinal neuron

Identifiers

PMID40692582
PMCPMC12277374

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.