Rat Neonatal Dorsal Root Ganglion (Drg) Neurons

Description

Rat Neonatal Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) Neurons are primary sensory neurons isolated from the spinal cord tissue of neonatal rats. These primary neurons are non-proliferative, therefore cannot be passaged repeatedly and require specialized media to maintain viability. Originating from the neural crest, these cells contain a mix of large-diameter myelinated neurons and small-diameter nociceptors, form clusters along the spinal nerve roots and are essential mediators of sensory signal (including pain, temperature, and mechanical stimuli) transduction between peripheral receptors and the central nervous system. In culture, DRG neurons exhibit irregular morphology, grow adherently, and extend axons into dense, interconnected networks. DRG neurons express neural markers (β-III tubulin, peripherin, TRPV1, and Nav1. 8) and key functional markers (voltage-gated sodium channels and neurotrophin receptors (e.g., TrkA)), enabling nociceptive transmission, axon guidance, and synaptic plasticity. Their robust responsiveness to neurotrophic factors and injury-related cytokines makes them an ideal in vitro system for studying sensory transduction and peripheral neuropathies.