TRP Channels and Pruritus

摘要

Itch (pruritus) is one of the most often seen sensory phenomena in clinical practice. Recent neurophysiologicalfindings proposed the existence of a novel pruriceptive system which includes a multitude of pruritogenic (itch-inducing)peripheral mediators, itch-selective pruriceptors, sensory afferent networks, spinal cord neurons, and certain central nervoussystem regions. In this review, we first introduce major features of the pruriceptive system. We then focus on definingthe roles of transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels in skin-coupled itch and provide compelling evidence that certainthermosensitive TRP channels (especially TRPV1, TRPV3, TRPV4, and TRPA1) are indeed key players in prurituspathogenesis. Finally, we propose TRP-centered future experimental directions towards the therapeutic targeting of TRPchannels in the clinical management of itch.