BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//132.216.98.100//NONSGML kigkonsult.se iCalcreator 2.20.4// BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20250807T145628EDT-775620OK4g@132.216.98.100 DTSTAMP:20250807T185628Z DESCRIPTION:Peripheral nerve injury leads to long-lasting pain hypersensiti vity. Damaged primary afferents release chemokines\, signaling molecules\, and proteases to activate spinal cord microglia\, which in turn\, enhance the excitability of spinal nociceptive circuits. Microglia release an arr ay of bioactive substances that bind to cell surface receptors to increase neuronal activity via modulation of intracellular processes. However\, ho w these substances specifically sensitize pain-processing circuits without affecting other modalities\, including itch and proprioception\, is not w ell understood. Studies of mechanisms by which microglia affect neuronal f unctions in the spinal cord have focused on intracellular mechanisms of ac tion rather than modulation of the extracellular matrix. The extracellular matrix in the central nervous system (CNS) not only provides structural s upport but is also involved in the regulation of neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity. Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are the most prominent extr acellular matrix structures in the CNS\, composed of a proteoglycan core p rotein decorated by chondroitin sulfate sugar chains. In this talk\, I wil l present evidence showing that PNNs are found around and affect the activ ity of spinal cord neurons involved in the processing of nociceptive infor mation. I will also describe studies demonstrating the heterogeneity of sp inal cord microglia\, which exhibit time- and sex-specific transcriptional responses to peripheral nerve injury.\n\nThis seminar will take place bot h in-person and online. Details in attached poster\n DTSTART:20230224T160000Z DTEND:20230224T170000Z LOCATION:Room 1034\, McIntyre Medical Building\, CA\, QC\, Montreal\, H3G 1 Y6\, 3655 promenade Sir William Osler SUMMARY:Physiology Seminar: New roles of microglia and extracellular matrix in pain URL:/physiology/channels/event/physiology-seminar-new- roles-microglia-and-extracellular-matrix-pain-345997 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR