STP Joint SIG Webinar
Nageotte Nodules in Human Dorsal Root Ganglia Reveal Neurodegeneration in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
January 20, 2026 | 10:00 AM–11:30 AM EST
Hosted by the Molecular Pathology (MP-SIG) and Neuropathology (SIGN) Special Interest Groups
Speakers:
Dr. Stephanie Shiers is a Research Scientist in the Center for Advanced Pain Studies and Project Lead of the Human Tissue Procurement and Processing Core at The University of Texas at Dallas. She specializes in histological approaches to study the human peripheral nervous system, with the goal of identifying novel therapeutic targets for chronic pain.
Dr. Theodore Price is an Ashbel Smith Professor in the Department of Neuroscience, and Director of the Center for Advanced Pain Studies at the University of Texas at Dallas. A pioneer in molecular pain neuroscience, his research focuses on defining the molecular properties of human nociceptors, uncovering mechanisms of chronic pain, and developing novel pain therapeutics.
Abstract:
In this presentation, Stephanie will discuss our team’s recent identification of Nageotte nodules, pathological structures associated with sensory neuron degeneration, in dorsal root ganglia from organ donors with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Using multiplex immunostaining, spatial transcriptomics, and insights from Jean Nageotte’s original 1922 descriptions, we molecularly and morphologically characterized these structures, identifying their cellular composition, unique architectural features including entangled sensory axons interwoven with the nodules, and previously unrecognized ligand-receptor signaling pathways that may contribute to pain in diabetes. Stephanie will also present emerging findings on the presence of Nageotte nodules in other chronic pain conditions and discuss how cultured human DRGs develop similar injury-induced structures, suggesting a potential in vitro model to investigate Nageotte nodule biology.
Dr. Price will discuss recent single nucleus RNA sequencing data of human dorsal root ganglia from individuals with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, highlighting neuronal subpopulations that are particularly susceptible to injury and degeneration.
Together, these presentations will provide complementary perspectives on structural and molecular pathology of the dorsal root ganglia in human diabetic neuropathy and its translational relevance to preclinical models.
We look forward to your participation.