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Tac1-Expressing Neurons in the Periaqueductal Gray Facilitate the Itch-Scratching Cycle via Descending Regulation.
- Source :
-
Neuron [Neuron] 2019 Jan 02; Vol. 101 (1), pp. 45-59.e9. Date of Electronic Publication: 2018 Dec 13. - Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- Uncontrollable itch-scratching cycles lead to serious skin damage in patients with chronic itch. However, the neural mechanism promoting the itch-scratching cycle remains elusive. Here, we report that tachykinin 1 (Tac1)-expressing glutamatergic neurons in the lateral and ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (l/vlPAG) facilitate the itch-scratching cycle. We found that l/vlPAG neurons exhibited scratching-behavior-related neural activity and that itch-evoked scratching behavior was impaired after suppressing the activity of l/vlPAG neurons. Furthermore, we showed that the activity of Tac1-expressing glutamatergic neurons in the l/vlPAG was elevated during itch-induced scratching behavior and that ablating or suppressing the activity of these neurons decreased itch-induced scratching behavior. Importantly, activation of Tac1-expressing neurons induced robust spontaneous scratching and grooming behaviors. The scratching behavior evoked by Tac1-expressing neuron activation was suppressed by ablation of spinal neurons expressing gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR), the key relay neurons for itch. These results suggest that Tac1-expressing neurons in the l/vlPAG promote itch-scratching cycles.<br /> (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Subjects :
- Animals
Gene Expression
Male
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Mice, Transgenic
Neurokinin A genetics
Neurons chemistry
Periaqueductal Gray chemistry
Pruritus pathology
Pyramidal Tracts chemistry
Random Allocation
Receptors, Neurokinin-1 genetics
Tachykinins biosynthesis
Tachykinins genetics
Neurokinin A biosynthesis
Neurons metabolism
Periaqueductal Gray metabolism
Pruritus metabolism
Pyramidal Tracts metabolism
Receptors, Neurokinin-1 biosynthesis
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1097-4199
- Volume :
- 101
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Neuron
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 30554781
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2018.11.010