Antibiotics modulate activity of mouse and human dorsal root ganglia neurons

Plumb, A. N.; Lesnak, J. B.; Brandon, J. M.; Cardona, L. M.; Simms, M. A.; Pratt, M. L.; Ward, K. T.; Tidgewell, K. J.; Dussor, G.; Price, T. J.; Sadler, K. E.

doi:10.64898/2026.09.10.750724

bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.09.10.750724

Antibiotics modulate activity of mouse and human dorsal root ganglia neurons

Plumb, A. N.·Lesnak, J. B.·Brandon, J. M.·Cardona, L. M.·Simms, M. A.·Pratt, M. L.·Ward, K. T.·Tidgewell, K. J.·Dussor, G.·Price, T. J.·Sadler, K. E.

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Abstract

Antibiotics are among the most prescribed medications worldwide, yet their direct effects on eukaryotic tissues remain largely unexplored. Here, we used in vitro calcium imaging to determine if clinically relevant concentrations of common antibiotics alter mouse and human dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuron activity. We found that {beta}-lactams, macrolides, and tetracyclines induce calcium flux in sensory neurons within minutes of application. Regardless of antibiotic class, neuronal responses depend on extracellular calcium entry. Pharmacological manipulations further revealed that cephalexin responses depend on TRPA1 activity whereas doxycycline responses require mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. These findings demonstrate that clinically relevant concentrations of antibiotics directly modulate sensory neuron activity through divergent mechanisms, thus expanding our current understanding of antibiotic side effects.

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Plumb, A. N., Lesnak, J. B., Brandon, J. M., Cardona, L. M., Simms, M. A., Pratt, M. L., Ward, K. T., Tidgewell, K. J., Dussor, G., Price, T. J., Sadler, K. E.. 2026-09-16. Antibiotics modulate activity of mouse and human dorsal root ganglia neurons. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.09.10.750724

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