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Neural peptidase endothelin-converting enzyme 1 regulates endothelin 1 -- induced pruritus.
- Source :
-
Journal of Clinical Investigation . Jun2014, Vol. 124 Issue 6, p2683-2695. 13p. 4 Color Photographs, 2 Black and White Photographs, 1 Chart. - Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- In humans, pruritus (itch) is a common but poorly understood symptom in numerous skin and systemic diseases. Endothelin 1 (ET-1) evokes histamine-independent pruritus in mammals through activation of its cognate G protein--coupled receptor endothelin A receptor (ETAR). Here, we have identified neural endothelin--converting enzyme 1 (ECE-1) as a key regulator of ET-1--induced pruritus and neural signaling of itch. We show here that ETAR, ET-1, and ECE-1 are expressed and colocalize in murine dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons and human skin nerves. In murine DRG neurons, ET-1 induced internalization of ETAR within ECE-1--containing endosomes. ECE-1 inhibition slowed ETAR recycling yet prolonged ET-1--induced activation of ERK1/2, but not p38. In a murine itch model, ET-1--induced scratching behavior was substantially augmented by pharmacological ECE-1 inhibition and abrogated by treatment with an ERK1/2 inhibitor. Using iontophoresis, we demonstrated that ET-1 is a potent, partially histamine-independent pruritogen in humans. Immunohistochemical evaluation of skin from prurigo nodularis patients confirmed an upregulation of the ET-1/ETAR/ECE-1/ERK1/2 axis in patients with chronic itch. Together, our data identify the neural peptidase ECE-1 as a negative regulator of itch on sensory nerves by directly regulating ET-1--induced pruritus in humans and mice. Furthermore, these results implicate the ET-1/ECE-1/ERK1/2 pathway as a therapeutic target to treat pruritus in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *ITCHING
*SKIN diseases
*MAMMAL diseases
*PHARMACOLOGY
*NEURONS
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00219738
- Volume :
- 124
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Clinical Investigation
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 96419014
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI67323