Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Antibiotics are among the most prescribed medications worldwide, yet their direct effects on eukaryotic tissues remain largely unexplored. Here, we used in vitro calcium imaging to determine if clinically relevant concentrations of common antibiotics alter mouse and human dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuron activity. We found that β-lactams, macrolides, and tetracyclines induce calcium flux in sensory neurons within minutes of application. Regardless of antibiotic class, neuronal responses depend on extracellular calcium entry. Pharmacological manipulations further revealed that cephalexin responses depend on TRPA1 activity whereas doxycycline responses require mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. These findings demonstrate that clinically relevant concentrations of antibiotics directly modulate sensory neuron activity through divergent mechanisms, thus expanding our current understanding of antibiotic side effects. Summary Clinically relevant antibiotics induce calcium flux in mouse and human sensory neurons through unique, drug-specific mechanisms.
Institutions: The University of Texas at Dallas, University of Kentucky
Language: English
Topic: Ion Channels and Receptors
Subfield: Sensory Systems
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7213431015
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