Isolated DRG neurons from HbSS mice exhibit greater mechanical responsiveness. (A) Examples of slowly adapting and transient inward currents induced by mechanical stimulation in HbAA control neurons. (B) The percentage of isolated DRG neurons that respond to focal mechanical stimulation applied to their soma is significantly greater in HbSS mice compared with HbAA controls. Inhibition of TRPV1 (1μM A-425619) reduced the mechanical responsiveness of DRG neurons from HbSS mice to control levels (*P < .05, **P < .01, Fisher exact test). (C) The increased mechanical responsiveness occurred selectively in the IB4-positive population of small-diameter neurons (*P < .05, Fisher exact test). Inhibition of TRPV1 reduced the mechanical responsiveness of IB4-positive neurons from HbSS mice to control levels (*P < .05, Fisher exact test).