Article
Cell Biology
Zhi-Hong Wang, Yu Feng, Qingfang Hu, Xue-Long Wang, Li Zhang, Teng-Teng Liu, Jiang-Tao Zhang, Xiaohua Yang, Qing-Yue Fu, Dan-Ni Fu, Ji Hu, Tong Liu
Summary: The roles of keratinocyte TLR2 and TLR7 signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of chronic itch are distinct.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Racheli Wercberger, Joao M. Braz, Jarret A. Weinrich, Allan I. Basbaum
Summary: Using retro-TRAP and RNA sequencing, researchers have uncovered extensive molecular diversity of spino-and trigeminoparabrachial projection neurons, including distinct subsets of gene expression. Further investigation revealed significant functional heterogeneity in these projection neurons, showing convergence and segregation of pain-and itch-provoking inputs into molecularly diverse subsets of NK1R- and non-NK1R-expressing neurons.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Ouyang Chen, Qianru He, Qingjian Han, Kenta Furutani, Yun Gu, Madelynne Olexa, Ru-Rong Ji
Summary: Our understanding of neuropathic itch is limited due to a lack of relevant animal models. In this study, we established a mouse model of chronic itch by inoculating cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) in mice. The model exhibited lymphoma growth, immune cell accumulation, and persistent pruritus. We observed time-dependent changes in nerve innervations and identified different mechanisms underlying acute, chronic, and neuropathic itch.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Filipe A. Monteiro, Rafael M. Miranda, Marta C. Samina, Ana F. Dias, Alexandre A. S. F. Raposo, Patricia Oliveira, Carlos Reguenga, Diogo S. Castro, Deolinda Lima
Summary: The homeobox gene Tlx3 acts as a selector gene in controlling the development of late-born excitatory neurons in the dorsal spinal cord by specifying glutamatergic transmitter fate. Through genomics and validation experiments, it was found that Tlx3 directly activates genes specific to excitatory neurons and also directly represses genes associated with inhibitory neuronal fate. This study provides insight into the regulatory role of Tlx3 in neural development and reveals its novel function in controlling cell identity.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Yuto Shiraishi, Keisuke Koga, Ryo Yamagata, Izuho Hatada, Miho Shiratori-Hayashi, Makoto Tsuda
Summary: This study demonstrates that α(1A)-ARs in SDH inhibitory interneurons play a key role in regulating itch signaling, particularly in histamine-independent itch.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rebecca Rani Das Gupta, Louis Scheurer, Pawel Pelczar, Hendrik Wildner, Hanns Ulrich Zeilhofer
Summary: The study revealed that excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the spinal dorsal horn are not only distinguished by gene expression, but also show differential engagement in neuromodulator pathways, especially neuropeptides.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jia-Wei Hao, Ting-Ting Liu, Chun-Yu Qiu, Xue-Mei Li, Wen-Long Qiao, Qing Li, Qing-Rui Qin, Wang-Ping Hu
Summary: This study revealed a novel mechanism by which Resolvin D2 (RvD2) exerts its analgesic effects by targeting P2X3 receptors. RvD2 inhibited P2X3 receptors in rat primary sensory neurons through GPR18, PTX-sensitive G alpha(i/o)-proteins, and intracellular cAMP/PKA signaling, leading to pain relief.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yoshie Umehara, Chanisa Kiatsurayanon, Juan Valentin Trujillo-Paez, Panjit Chieosilapatham, Ge Peng, Hainan Yue, Hai Le Thanh Nguyen, Pu Song, Ko Okumura, Hideoki Ogawa, Francois Niyonsaba
Summary: Itch or pruritus is a hallmark of atopic dermatitis and is believed to be a signal of danger from various environmental factors or physiological abnormalities. While histamine is a well-known substance inducing itch, H-1-antihistamines may not be fully effective against intractable itch in patients with atopic dermatitis. Treatment of the underlying conditions that cause itch is necessary to improve the quality of life of patients with atopic dermatitis.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Antonella Comitato, Rita Bardoni
Summary: Recent studies have shown that presynaptic GABAergic receptors in the spinal cord dorsal horn play a crucial modulatory role in sensory information processing, particularly in states of sensitization induced by chronic pain. Techniques such as opto- and chemogenetic stimulation have provided valuable insights into this topic, highlighting the importance of regulating neurotransmitter release for integrating postsynaptic responses and coding sensory information.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sumika Toyama, Mitsutoshi Tominaga, Kenji Takamori
Summary: Recent studies have shown that non-histaminergic mediators such as proteases, neuropeptides, and cytokines play a role in evoking and modulating itch sensation, acting on sensory nerve fibers in the skin. Understanding the connections between immune cell-derived mediators and sensory nerve fibers has led to the development of new treatments for itch.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Norikazu Kiguchi, Huiping Ding, Sun H. Park, Kelsey M. Mabry, Shiroh Kishioka, Yusuke Shiozawa, E. Alfonso Romero-Sandoval, Christopher M. Peters, Mei-Chuan Ko
Summary: This study aimed to compare the expression patterns of neuromedin B (NMB) and its receptor (NMBR) and the effects of NMB and gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) on itch and pain in non-human primates (NHPs). The results showed that the NMB-NMBR system has minimal functional role in itch and pain neurotransmission in primates, while GRP elicited significant scratching responses. Drugs targeting the spinal NMB-NMBR system may not effectively alleviate non-NMBR-mediated itch.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Eva Borbely, Agnes Hunyady, Krisztina Pohoczky, Maja Payrits, Balint Botz, Attila Mocsai, Alexandra Berger, Eva Szoke, Zsuzsanna Helyes
Summary: This research reveals that HK-1 plays a role in arthritic pain primarily through cellular, rather than vascular inflammatory mechanisms, independently of NK1 activation. HK-1 activates primary sensory neurons presumably via a Ca2+ channel-linked receptor. Identifying the specific target of HK-1 opens up new avenues to understand joint pain and develop novel therapeutic approaches.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Huan Cui, Wenliang Su, Yan Cao, Lulu Ma, Guangyan Xu, Wanying Mou, Hanlin Zhang, Jiawen Yu, Chao Ma, Xiuhua Zhang, Yuguang Huang
Summary: This study demonstrates that downregulation of spinal NPY in aged mice may contribute to the higher incidence of mechanically evoked itch in the elderly population. Intrathecal injection of NPY or LP-NPY significantly alleviated the mechanically evoked itch in aged mice. Aging process may lead to reduced levels of spinal NPY, potentially increasing the occurrence of mechanically evoked itch.
FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Wook-Joo Lee, Won-Sik Shim
Summary: The study reveals that the neuroimmune interactions of TSLP and TRPV4 play key roles in dry skin-induced pruritus. Treatment with a TRPV4 antagonist or knockout of the Trpv4 gene can alleviate dry skin symptoms and itching.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Huan Cui, Fan Liu, Yehong Fang, Tao Wang, Bo Yuan, Chao Ma
Summary: The study found that the mechanism of ocular itch in allergic conjunctivitis is not only related to inflammation, but also to neuronal Fc epsilon RI alpha. Through experiments, it was found that Fc epsilon RI alpha directly mediates itch evoked by IgE-immune complex, and altering the expression of Fc epsilon RI alpha can alleviate ocular itch. These findings provide new strategies for the treatment of pruritus in immune-related disorders such as allergic conjunctivitis.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2022)
