Do catecholaminergic TrkC DRG neurons represent a class of cardiovascular enteroceptor?

In a recent issue of Cell Reports, Morelli et al. (2021) identify a subpopulation of mechanosensitive peripheral sensory neurons that coexpress tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and tropomyosin receptor kinase C (TrkC) and innervate cutaneous arterioles. They show that activation of TrkC sensory neurons causes cutaneous vasoconstriction and, most remarkably, that their lesion is associated with sudden death of an undetermined cause, preceded by a progressive drop in blood pressure, and conclude that TrkC⁺ TH⁺ neurons represent a baroreceptor class of homeostatic enteroceptor. This represents a radical departure from current consensus models for the central control of blood pressure. Here, we offer an alternative perspective on their findings and suggest priorities for further investigation. This Matters Arising paper is in response to Morelli et al. (2021), published in Cell Reports. See also the response by Heppenstall et al. (2022), published in this issue.