Maximum axonal following frequency separates classes of cutaneous unmyelinated nociceptors in the pig

Using extracellular single-fibre recordings from the saphenous nerve in pig in vivo, we investigated peak following frequencies (5-100 Hz) in different classes of C-nociceptors and their modulation by nerve growth factor. Classes were defined by sensory (mechano-sensitivity) and axonal characteristics (activity dependent slowing of conduction, ADS). Mechano-insensitive C-nociceptors (CMi) showed the highest ADS (34% +/- 8%), followed only 66% +/- 27% of 75 pulses at 5 Hz and increasingly blocked conduction at higher frequencies. Three weeks following intradermal injections of nerve growth factor, peak following frequency increased specifically in the sensitized mechano-insensitive nociceptors (20% +/- 16% to 38% +/- 23% response rate after 72 pulses at 100 Hz). In contrast, untreated polymodal nociceptors with moderate ADS (15.2% +/- 10.2%) followed stimulation frequencies of 100 Hz without conduction failure (98.5% +/- 6%). A distinct class of C-nociceptors was exclusively sensitive to strong forces above 150 mN. This class had a high ADS (27.2% +/- 7.6%), but displayed almost no propagation failure even at 100 Hz stimulation (84.7% +/- 17%). Also, among human mechanosensitive nociceptors (n = 153) those with thresholds above 150 mN (n = 5) showed ADS typical of silent nociceptors. C-fibres with particularly high mechanical thresholds and high following frequency form a distinct nociceptor class ideally suited to encode noxious mechanical stimulation under normal conditions when regular silent nociceptors are inactive. Sensitization by nerve growth factor increases maximum discharge frequency of silent nociceptors, thereby increasing the frequency range beyond their physiological limit, which possibly contributes to excruciating pain under inflammatory conditions.

Automated summary

Through extracellular single-fibre recordings in pigs, it was found that nerve growth factor can increase the peak following frequency specifically in sensitized mechano-insensitive nociceptors, while having minimal impact on other types of nociceptors.