Itch is a somatosensory percept that is triggered by irritants at the skin’s surface. However, the manner in which itch is coded in the nervous system remains almost completely unknown. Recent work has uncovered a key role of spinal interneurons in the modulation of itch. Here we discuss these recent discoveries in the context of our understanding of spinal microcircuitry, highlighting the poss...

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) has been implicated in nonhistaminergic itch. Here we used electrophysiological methods to investigate whether mouse superficial dorsal horn neurons respond to intradermal (id) injection of ET-1 and whether ET-1-sensitive neurons additionally respond to other pruritic and algesic stimuli or spinal superfusion of bombesin, a homolog of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) that exc...

Previous studies have revealed that TRPV1 and TRPA1 function downstream of many itch receptors, where they mediate inward current to trigger action potentials in primary afferents. Although other TRP channels, such as TRPV4, are expressed in primary afferents, whether or not they play an analogous role in itch was previously unknown. Now, Akiyama et al. provide evidence that TRPV4 is a key medi...

Itch is the major symptom in, skin diseases with a variety of etiologies. Recent progress has been achieved in understanding the pathophysiology of itch in skin diseases. There are many) topical therapies availablte/for managingp ruritus. Emergin;g therapies include dominant ceramide moisturizers, topical immunomodulators, low pH moisturizers, topical aspirin, and combinations of moisturizers w...

Notch signaling is a conserved signaling pathway implicated in embryogenesis and adult tissue maintenance. Notch signaling strength is strictly regulated, notably by maintaining a controlled pool of functional receptor at the cell surface. Mammalian non-activated Notch receptor is internalized, ubiquitylated by the Itch E3 ubiquitin ligase and degraded in the lysosomes. Here, we show that β-arr...

Background Although itch and pain are distinct experiences, both are unpleasant, may demand attention, and interfere with daily activities. Research investigating the role of attention in tonic itch and pain stimuli, particularly whether attention is drawn to the stimulus location, is scarce. Methods In the somatosensory attention task, fifty-three healthy participants were exposed to 35-seco...

Endophilin A1 is an SH3 domain-containing protein functioning in membrane trafficking on the endocytic pathway. We have identified the E3 ubiquitin ligase itch/AIP4 as an endophilin A1-binding partner. Itch belongs to the Nedd4/Rsp5p family of proteins and contains an N-terminal C2 domain, four WW domains and a catalytic HECT domain. Unlike other Nedd4/Rsp5p family members, itch possesses a sho...

Thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) was originally characterized as an endogenous inhibitor of thioredoxin, a key regulator in cellular redox homeostasis. TXNIP is also known to play important roles in tumor growth and metastasis, glucose and lipid metabolism. TXNIP expression is induced by various stress stimuli. However, it has been unclear how TXNIP is down-regulated. Here, we report tha...

Among the wide range of symptoms neglected or resistant to conventional treatments in clinical practice, itch is emerging gradually as a theme to be studied. Itch complaints and the negative effects in the quality of life are observed in several medical fields. Although the partially obscure pathophysiology, some researchers decided to check and test the use of psychotropic drugs in resistant i...

never demonstrated.1 The itch (in French "la gale") is a disease characterized by violent itching, pimples and scabs on the skin. Today it is accepted that the itching is due to an insect, the sarcoptes, burrowing tunnels into the dermis in order to deposit its eggs, cutting through both the dermis and the small vessels in its path. The tissue reacts, creating small vesicles filled with a serou...