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Interactions Between Keratinocytes and Somatosensory Neurons in Itch

  • Chapter
Pharmacology of Itch

Abstract

Keratinocytes are epithelial cells that make up the stratified epidermis of the skin. Recent studies suggest that keratinocytes promote chronic itch. Changes in skin morphology that accompany a variety of chronic itch disorders and the multitude of inflammatory mediators secreted by keratinocytes that target both sensory neurons and immune cells highlight the importance of investigating the connection between keratinocytes and chronic itch. This chapter addresses some of the most recent data and models for the role keratinocytes play in the development and maintenance of chronic itch.

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Abbreviations

AD:

Atopic dermatitis

CALCRL:

Calcitonin receptor-like receptor

CCL5:

Chemokine ligand 5

CGRP:

Calcitonin gene-related peptide

DRG:

Dorsal root ganglia

ER:

Endoplasmic reticulum

ET-1:

Endothelin-1

H1R:

Histamine 1 receptor

IL:

Interleukin

KLK:

Kallikrein

NFAT:

Nuclear factor of activated T cells

NGF:

Nerve growth factor

NK1R:

Neurokinin 1 receptor

ORAI1:

Calcium release-activated calcium channel protein 1

PAR2:

Protease-activated receptor 2

SLIGRL:

Ser–Leu–Iso–Gly–Arg–Leu

SP:

Substance P

TH2:

T helper type 2

TRPA1:

Transient receptor potential cation channel A1

TRPV1:

Transient receptor potential cation channel V1

TSLP:

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin

VCAM-1:

Vascular cellular adhesion molecule 1

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Correspondence to Diana M. Bautista .

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Schwendinger-Schreck, J., Wilson, S.R., Bautista, D.M. (2015). Interactions Between Keratinocytes and Somatosensory Neurons in Itch. In: Cowan, A., Yosipovitch, G. (eds) Pharmacology of Itch. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, vol 226. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-44605-8_10

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