RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Proteinase-Activated Receptor-2 Mediates Itch: A Novel Pathway for Pruritus in Human Skin
JF The Journal of Neuroscience
JO J. Neurosci.
FD Society for Neuroscience
SP 6176
OP 6180
DO 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.23-15-06176.2003
VO 23
IS 15
A1 Martin Steinhoff
A1 Ulrich Neisius
A1 Akihiko Ikoma
A1 Manigé Fartasch
A1 Gisela Heyer
A1 Per S. Skov
A1 Thomas A. Luger
A1 Martin Schmelz
YR 2003
UL http://www.jneurosci.org/content/23/15/6176.abstract
AB We examined whether neuronal proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) may be involved in pruritus of human skin. The endogenous PAR-2 agonist tryptase was increased up to fourfold in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. PAR-2 was markedly enhanced on primary afferent nerve fibers in skin biopsies of AD patients. Intracutaneous injection of endogenous PAR-2 agonists provoked enhanced and prolonged itch when applied intralesionally. Moreover, itch upon mast cell degranulation was abolished by local antihistamines in controls but prevailed in AD patients. Thus, we identified enhanced PAR-2 signaling as a new link between inflammatory and sensory phenomena in AD patients. PAR-2 therefore represents a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of cutaneous neurogenic inflammation and pruritus.