A Key to the Classification of Cutaneous Mechanoreceptors

Horch, K.W.; Tuckett, Robert P.; Burgess, P. R.

doi:10.1111/1523-1747.ep12497887

Cited by 154 publications

(66 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…A laminectomy was performed to expose the entire L5 dorsal root and recordings were made in teased dorsal root filaments of single units driven by sural nerve stimulation as described previously (Lewin and McMahon, 1991). Each single unit activated by electrical stimulation of the sural nerve was characterized as to adequate stimulus (Horch et al, 1977) with the aid of a dissecting microscope so that individual hairs could be manipulated. Conduction velocity, receptive field size and location, and von Frey threshold were also noted.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the role of nerve growth factor in the development of myelinated nociceptors

1992

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We have previously demonstrated that administration of antisera against NGF (anti-NGF) can have profound effects on developing primary afferents (Ritter et al., 1991). Chronic administration of anti-NGF to rats beginning on the day of birth results in a severe depletion of cutaneous A delta high-threshold mechanoreceptors (HTMRs) from the sural nerve. Here we have carried out further experiments in order to define the period of time over which this change in the cutaneous afferent population can be produced, and to investigate a possible mechanism for the change. Treatment with anti-NGF from postnatal day (PND) 0–14 resulted in a depletion of cutaneous A delta HTMRs from the sural nerve and also a 20% loss of sensory neurons. However, treatment from PND 2–14 produced an identical deficit of HTMRs without any accompanying cell death. Thus, the depletion of cutaneous A delta HTMRs can be achieved in the absence of cell death induced by anti-NGF treatment. It was also found that a 7 d treatment from PND 4–11 was sufficient to reproduce this effect, but that 7 d treatments earlier (PND 2–9) or later (PND 7–14) within the first 2 weeks were much less effective. This critical period, PND 4–11, corresponds to a period of anatomical change in the innervation of the skin, from epidermal innervation to primarily dermal innervation (Fitzgerald, 1967; Reynolds et al., 1991). In every case where anti-NGF treatment reduced the proportion of HTMRs, there was a reciprocal increase in the proportion of sensitive A delta hair follicle (D-hair) afferents. We hypothesize that in the absence of NGF, developing cutaneous A delta HTMRs do not die but innervate novel targets in the dermis and become D-hair afferents instead.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the role of nerve growth factor in the development of myelinated nociceptors

1992

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“…When an afferent unit was isolated, its conduction velocity was estimated from the conduction time and distance between the stimulating and recording electrodes, and the unit was functionally characterized from responses evoked with hand-held probes. Following the criteria proposed by Horch, Tuckett & Burgess (1977), G hair receptors were found to be responsive to movement of single guard hairs and to conduct at Aa velocities (> 28 m/sec). They were also differentiable by hand into three overlapping subcategories based upon their adaptation to step-like displacements of hairs.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The eighteen type II receptors tested were easily distinguished from other slowly adapting receptor types using the techniques and criteria described by Horch et al (1977). All of the units tested had a resting discharge (1-17 Hz).…”

Section: Type II Receptorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sympathetically induced changes in the responses of guard hair and type II receptors in the cat.

Pierce¹,

Roberts²

1981

The Journal of Physiology

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SUMMARY1. Sympathetic effects on the activity of single guard hair receptors and slowly adapting, type II mechanoreceptors were studied in anaesthetized cats.2. Spontaneous activity in type II receptors and mechanically evoked activity in both type II and guard hair receptors was recorded both without and with electrical stimulation of the lumbar sympathetic trunk.3. Almost all guard hair receptors were desensitized by sympathetic stimulation, the mean effect being an increase in threshold to 2-2 times the unconditioned value.4. One third of the more slowly adapting guard hair units showed sympathetically induced spontaneous activity.5. These sympathetic effects on guard hair receptors appear not to be related to pilomotor responses or to changes in central arterial pressure.6. Individual type HI receptors were found to be excited by skin stretch along one of two axes: either parallel or perpendicular to the long axis of the leg. Intermediate orientations were not observed.7. 'Perpendicular' units showed marked increases in resting discharge but no change in mechanical sensitivity during sympathetic stimulation. 'Parallel' units were unaffected.8. The sympathetic effect appeared not to be related to changes in blood pressure or skin tension.9. It is suggested that the location and orientation of stretch sensitivity of these receptors make them well suited for detection of limb movements; however, no satisfactory functional explanation was found for the pronounced sympathetic facilitation of only one subset of the receptors.

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“…The receptive properties of afferent units with evoked responses to dorsal root stimulation were examined with hand-held stimulators following previous classifications (Burgess & Perl, 1967;Bessou & Perl, 1969;Bessou, Burgess, Perl & Taylor, 1971;Burgess & Perl, 1973;Horch, Tuckett & Burgess, 1977;Shea & Perl, 1985). The small physical size of the animals, receptive fields in partially shielded locations, and the limited time for observation, particularly for C fibre units, precluded use of devices permitting detailed quantitative description of stimulus intensity.…”

Section: Afferent Receptive Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship of substance P to afferent characteristics of dorsal root ganglion neurones in guinea‐pig

Lawson¹,

Crepps

Perl

1997

The Journal of Physiology

244

193

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The relationship between the afferent properties and substance P‐like immunoreactivity (SP‐LI) of L6 and SI dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuronal somata was examined in anaesthetized guinea‐pigs. Glass pipette microelectrodes filled with fluorescent dyes were used to make intracellular recordings and to label DRG somata. The dorsal root conduction velocity (CV) and the afferent receptive properties of each unit were categorized according to criteria established in other species. Categories included a variety of low threshold mechanoreceptive classes, innocuous thermoreceptive and several nociceptive classes. Nociceptive units were further subdivided on the basis of CV and the locus of the receptive field (superficial cutaneous, deep cutaneous or subcutaneous). SP‐LI was determined using the avidin–biotin complex method and the relative staining intensity determined by image analysis. The possible significance of labelling intensity is discussed. Clear SP‐LI appeared in twenty‐nine of 117 dye‐labelled neurones. All SP‐LI positive units with identified receptive properties were nociceptive but not all categories of nociceptors were positive. The intensity of SP‐LI labelling varied, often systematically, in relation to afferent properties. There was a tendency for nociceptive neurones with slower CVs and/or smaller cell bodies to show SP‐LI. Nineteen of fifty‐one C fibre neurones showed SP‐LI. Fewer than half the C polymodal nociceptors (CPMs) were positive. The most intensely labelled units were the deep cutaneous nociceptors and some of the CPMs in glabrous skin. C low threshold mechanoreceptors and cooling‐sensitive units did not show SP‐LI. Ten of sixty‐six A fibre neurones exhibited SP‐LI, including eight of sixteen Aδ nociceptors and two of fifteen Aα/β nociceptors. A fibre neurones exhibiting SP‐LI included seven of eight deep cutaneous mechanical nociceptors and some superficial cutaneous mechano‐heat nociceptors of hairy skin. In contrast, none of twenty superficial cutaneous A high threshold mechanoreceptor units or the thirty‐five A fibre low threshold units (D‐hair and other units) showed detectable SP‐LI. We conclude that SP‐LI labelling in guinea‐pig DRG neurones is related to (a) afferent receptive properties, (b) the tissue in which the peripheral receptive terminals are located, (c) the CV and (d) the soma size.

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A Key to the Classification of Cutaneous Mechanoreceptors

Abstract: The cutaneous mechanoreceptors of the cat can be assigned to one of 11 groups by using physiologic tests performed with hand-held stimulators. The method of classification is described, and the validity and utility of this classification scheme are discussed.

Cited by 154 publications

References 15 publications

On the role of nerve growth factor in the development of myelinated nociceptors

On the role of nerve growth factor in the development of myelinated nociceptors

Sympathetically induced changes in the responses of guard hair and type II receptors in the cat.

Relationship of substance P to afferent characteristics of dorsal root ganglion neurones in guinea‐pig

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