| First Author | Yoshioka T | Year | 2006 |
| Journal | Immunology | Volume | 118 |
| Issue | 3 | Pages | 293-301 |
| PubMed ID | 16827890 | Mgi Jnum | J:113134 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3664600 | Doi | 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2006.02365.x |
| Citation | Yoshioka T, et al. (2006) Spontaneous scratching behaviour in DS-Nh mice as a possible model for pruritus in atopic dermatitis. Immunology 118(3):293-301 |
| abstractText | Itching is one of the major clinical symptoms in atopic dermatitis (AD) and complicates the management of this pathological condition. An animal model of AD-like pruritus would contribute to a better understanding of AD and could lead to the development of safe and effective antipruritic agents. DS non-hair (DS-Nh) mice raised under conventional conditions spontaneously develop pruritus, which is associated with a dermatitis similar to human AD. There is a significant positive correlation between disease severity and the period of scratching behaviour in DS-Nh mice. In the present study, we found that levels of histamine and nerve growth factor (NGF) in serum and/or skin tissue were higher in DS-Nh mice with AD-like dermatitis than in age-matched mice without dermatitis. The histopathological data indicated that nerve fibres extend into and mast cells infiltrate the surrounding area of the skin lesion. NGF production by XB-2 cells, which was derived from mouse keratinocytes, was enhanced by histamine via the H1 receptor. We also found that prolonged treatment with an H1-antagonist was effective against pruritus through depression of the production of NGF, which is thought to be generated by keratinocytes. We conclude that DS-Nh mice can serve as a suitable model for gaining a better understanding of pruritus in AD, and that prolonged treatment with an H1-antagonist may be beneficial in patients with AD-associated pruritus. |
