Shukun Hu

Dr. Shukun Hu

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 March 2022 in Experimental Neurology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
SHShukun Hu
Shukun Hu
GWGang Wu
Gang Wu
BWBiwu Wu
Biwu Wu
ZDZhouying Du
Zhouying Du
YZYi Zhang
Yi Zhang

21 October 2023 in Molecular Neurobiology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
BWBiwu Wu
Biwu Wu
LYLei Yang
Lei Yang
CXCaihua Xi
Caihua Xi
HYHaijun Yao
Haijun Yao
LCLong Chen
Long Chen
SHShukun Hu
Shukun Hu

17 June 2024 in CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
FFFenqqi Fan
Fenqqi Fan
TYTianze Yin
Tianze Yin
BWBiwu Wu
Biwu Wu
JZJiajun Zheng
Jiajun Zheng
JDJiaojiao Deng
Jiaojiao Deng
SHShukun Hu
Shukun Hu
Background: Central poststroke pain (CPSP) is one of the primary sequelae following stroke, yet its underlying mechanisms are poorly understood.Methods: By lesioning the lateral thalamic nuclei, we first established a CPSP model that exhibits mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity. Innocuous mechanical stimuli following the thalamic lesion evoked robust neural activation in somatosensory corticospinal neurons (CSNs), as well as in the deep dorsal horn, where low threshold mechanosensory afferents terminate. In this study, we used viral‐based mapping and intersectional functional manipulations to decipher the role of somatosensory CSNs and their spinal targets in the CPSP pathophysiology.Results: We first mapped the post‐synaptic spinal targets of lumbar innervating CSNs using an anterograde trans‐synaptic AAV1‐based strategy and showed these spinal interneurons were activated by innocuous tactile stimuli post‐thalamic lesion. Functionally, tetanus toxin‐based chronic inactivation of spinal neurons targeted by CSNs prevented the development of CPSP. Consistently, transient chemogenetic silencing of these neurons alleviated established mechanical pain hypersensitivity and innocuous tactile stimuli evoked aversion linked to the CPSP. In contrast, chemogenetic activation of these neurons was insufficient to induce robust mechanical allodynia typically observed in the CPSP.Conclusion: The CSNs and their spinal targets are required but insufficient for the establishment of CPSP hypersensitivity. Our study provided novel insights into the neural mechanisms underlying CPSP and potential therapeutic interventions to treat refractory central neuropathic pain conditions.