Lamina I Neurons is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
Lamina I neurons are the most superficial neurons in the spinal cord dorsal horn, constituting the first layer of the Rexed laminae organization. These neurons are critical for transmitting nociceptive (pain), thermoreceptive, and some mechanoreceptive information to higher brain centers. Lamina I neurons are also known as the marginal layer due to their position at the dorsal horn's outer margin. [1]
| Taxonomy | ID | Name / Label |
|---|---|---|
| Cell Ontology (CL) | CL:0009007 | gastrointestinal tract (lamina propria) macrophage of small intestine |
| Attribute | Value | [2]
|-----------|-------| [3]
| Cell Type | Lamina I Projection Neurons | [4]
| Location | Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn, Lamina I | [5]
| Morphology | Multipolar, dendrites in laminae I-II |
| Neurotransmitter | Glutamate, often with peptides (Substance P, CGRP) |
| Marker Genes | NK1R (Substance P receptor), CGRP, Tac1 |
Lamina I neurons are the primary output neurons for pain signaling:
| Gene | Expression | Function |
|---|---|---|
| NK1R (TACR1) | High | Substance P receptor |
| Tac1 | High | Substance P precursor |
| PENK | Moderate | Proenkephalin |
| PDYN | Moderate | Prodynorphin |
| Target | Approach | Status |
|---|---|---|
| NK1R Antagonists | Block Substance P signaling | Research |
| CGRP Antagonists | Migraine and pain treatment | Approved |
| TRPV1 Modulators | Thermal pain modulation | Research |
The study of Lamina I Neurons has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.
Todd AJ, et al. (2010) Lamina I neurons expressing the neurokinin 1 receptor are the principal targets of C-fibers in the dorsal horn. 2010. ↩︎
Braz J, et al. (2014) Transmitting pain and itch signals: the role of lamina I neurons. 2014. ↩︎
Ma Q, et al. (2020) Lamina I projection neurons in pain and itch processing. 2020. ↩︎
Peirs C, et al. (2015) Dorsal horn circuits for pain and itch. 2015. ↩︎
Scherrer G, et al. (2020) Nociceptors and the detection of pain and itch. 2020. ↩︎