| First Author | Mishra SK | Year | 2013 |
| Journal | Science | Volume | 340 |
| Issue | 6135 | Pages | 968-71 |
| PubMed ID | 23704570 | Mgi Jnum | J:243938 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:5912717 | Doi | 10.1126/science.1233765 |
| Citation | Mishra SK, et al. (2013) The cells and circuitry for itch responses in mice. Science 340(6135):968-71 |
| abstractText | Itch is triggered by somatosensory neurons expressing the ion channel TRPV1 (transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1), but the mechanisms underlying this nociceptive response remain poorly understood. Here, we show that the neuropeptide natriuretic polypeptide b (Nppb) is expressed in a subset of TRPV1 neurons and found that Nppb(-/-) mice selectively lose almost all behavioral responses to itch-inducing agents. Nppb triggered potent scratching when injected intrathecally in wild-type and Nppb(-/-) mice, showing that this neuropeptide evokes itch when released from somatosensory neurons. Itch responses were blocked by toxin-mediated ablation of Nppb-receptor-expressing cells, but a second neuropeptide, gastrin-releasing peptide, still induced strong responses in the toxin-treated animals. Thus, our results define the primary pruriceptive neurons, characterize Nppb as an itch-selective neuropeptide, and reveal the next two stages of this dedicated neuronal pathway. |
