Identification of a novel population of peripheral sensory neuron that regulates blood pressure
The vasculature is innervated by a network of peripheral afferents that sense and regulate blood flow. Here, we describe a system of non-peptidergic sensory neurons with cell bodies in the spinal ganglia that regulate vascular tone in the distal arteries. We identify a population of mechanosensitive neurons marked by TrkC and Tyrosine hydroxylase in the dorsal root ganglia that project to blood vessels. Local stimulation of these neurons decreases vessel diameter and blood flow, while systemic activation increases systolic blood pressure and heart rate variability via the sympathetic nervous system. Chemogenetic inactivation or ablation of the neurons provokes variability in local blood flow leading to a reduction in systolic blood pressure, increased heart rate variability and ultimately lethality within 48 hours. Thus, TrkC/Tyrosine hydroxylase positive sensory neurons form part of a sensory feedback mechanism that maintains cardiovascular homeostasis through the autonomic nervous system.