Cao Feng, Park Sekun, Pauli Jordan L, Seo Eden Y, Nguyen An-Doan, Palmiter Richard D
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Departments of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Nat Commun. 2025 Sep 26;16(1):8517. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-63464-5.
The parvicellular part of the ventral posteromedial nucleus (VPMpc) of the thalamus, also known as the gustatory thalamus, receives input from the parabrachial nucleus and relays taste sensation to the gustatory (or insular) cortex. Prior research has focused on the role of the VPMpc in relaying taste signals. Here we provide evidence showing that VPMpc also mediates aversive behaviors. By recording calcium transients in vivo from single neurons in mice, we show that neurons expressing cholecystokinin and the mu-opioid receptor in the VPMpc respond to various noxious stimuli and fear memory. Chemogenetic and optogenetic activation of these neurons enhances the response to aversive stimuli, whereas silencing them attenuates aversive behaviors. The VPMpc neurons directly innervate neurons in the insular cortex and rostral lateral amygdala. This study expands the role of the VPMpc to include transmitting aversive and threatening signals to the insular cortex and lateral amygdala.
丘脑腹后内侧核小细胞部（VPMpc），也被称为味觉丘脑，接收来自臂旁核的输入，并将味觉信号传递至味觉（或岛叶）皮层。先前的研究主要聚焦于VPMpc在传递味觉信号中的作用。在此，我们提供证据表明VPMpc也介导厌恶行为。通过在小鼠体内记录单个神经元的钙瞬变，我们发现VPMpc中表达胆囊收缩素和μ-阿片受体的神经元对各种有害刺激和恐惧记忆有反应。对这些神经元进行化学遗传和光遗传激活可增强对厌恶刺激的反应，而使其沉默则会减弱厌恶行为。VPMpc神经元直接支配岛叶皮层和吻侧杏仁核外侧的神经元。这项研究扩展了VPMpc的作用，使其包括向岛叶皮层和杏仁核外侧传递厌恶和威胁信号。
