The kinin B1 receptor mediates alloknesis in a murine model of inflammation

Noxious stimuli and non-noxious mechanical stimuli elicit itch (alloknesis) instead of pain on skin lesions of patients with atopic dermatitis. We previously found that bradykinin evokes an itch-related scratching response through activation of kinin B-1 receptor in skin inflamed using complete Freund's adjuvant. In this study we investigated whether alloknesis is evoked in CFA-inflamed skin and the involvement of kinin receptors. In our results, alloknesis was elicited four days after CFA-inflammation. Furthermore, pretreatment with a B-1 receptor antagonist or mu-opioid receptor antagonist significantly reduced alloknesis. In contrast, treatment with a B-2 receptor antagonist significantly increased alloknesis. These results suggest that the alloknesis response is mediated by the activation of kinin B-1 receptor but antagonized by the B-2 receptor in CFA-inflamed mice. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.