Fig. 1

Selective optogenetic activation of TRPV1⁺ nociceptors enhances antigen-specific antibody response following immunization. TRPV1-Cre/ChR2 mice (n = 11) or C57BL/6J mice (n = 9) were subjected to optogenetic stimulation using blue light (473 nm, 3 Hz, 20% duty cycle, 15 min, 1000 mA) on the dorsum of the hind paw. (A) Representative image of the positioning of the 470 nm light source used to stimulate the dorsum of the hind paw. (B) Mice were immunized with 3 mg/kg KLH into the same paw immediately following optogenetic stimulation, and serum collected every 7 days. Serum was assayed for anti-KLH IgG antibodies by ELISA. Data are represented as mean ± SEM for each time point. Two-way ANOVA: wild-type versus TRPV1-Cre/ChR2 ; **p < 0.01