Conclusion
Ratiometric calcium imaging demonstrated that small-diameter canine sensory neurons can be activated by multiple stimuli, and a single neuron can react to both a pruritogenic stimulation and an algogenic stimulation.
Methods
This study developed a primary canine sensory neuron culture from dorsal root ganglia (DRG) excised from cadaver dogs. Additionally, the canine DRG cell cultures developed were used for single-cell ratiometric calcium imaging, with the activation of neurons to the following pruritogenic and algogenic substances: histamine, chloroquine, canine protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) activating peptide (SLIGKT), compound 48/80, 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor agonist (5-HT), bovine adrenal medulla peptide (BAM8-22), substance P, allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), and capsaicin.
Results
This study demonstrates a simple dissection and rapid processing of DRG collected from canine cadavers used to create viable primary sensory neuron cultures to measure responses to pruritogens and algogens.