has soma location has soma location expresses expresses sensory neuron of dorsal root ganglion sacral dorsal root ganglion TRPV1 neuron 2026-03-13T11:13:54Z capsaicin-sensitive nociceptor A polymodal nociceptor whose soma is located in the sacral dorsal root ganglion and that expresses the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 channel (TRPV1, encoded by TRPV1). This neuron detects noxious heat above 43 degrees Celsius, protons, and endogenous lipid mediators, and is activated by capsaicin. In human DRG, TRPV1-immunoreactive neurons constitute approximately 54% of TrkA-positive neurons, significantly higher than the 35% observed in mouse (Rostock et al. 2018, PMID:29229553). These neurons are predominantly small-diameter nociceptors that innervate skin and visceral organs, where they function as primary detectors of thermal and chemical noxious stimuli. transient receptor potential cation channel TRPV1 sacral dorsal root ganglion