Over-Expression of the Gastrin-Releasing Peptide in Cutaneous Nerve Fibers and its Receptor in Spinal Cord in Primates with Chronic Itch

Chronic pruritus affects millions of patients worldwide and has a significant impact on quality of life similar to that of chronic pain (Kini et al., 2011; Stander et al., 2007). Significant advances have been made in the last five years to elucidate the molecular pathways of acute itch (Liu et al., 2009; Sun and Chen, 2007). However, experimental approaches investigating the pathogenesis of pruritus and the ability to test novel therapeutic agents are largely limited to rodent models. Although these models offer some advantages, their translational potential to human disease remains to be established (Seok et al., 2013; Jeffry et al., 2011). Furthermore, most animal models focus on acute itch, which displays significant pathophysiological differences in comparison with chronic itch (Yosipovitch et al., 2007). Therefore, there is an unmet need for better animal models for chronic itch research.