By SHIORI OGAWA/ Staff Writer
June 12, 2022 at 08:00 JST
Proliferated proteins in nerves of a mouse with atopic dermatitis (Provided by Makoto Tsuda, a professor of neuropharmacology at Kyushu University)
Repeated scratching of itchy skin only makes the problem worse because it releases a protein that exacerbates the condition, say researchers in Japan.
The finding by Makoto Tsuda, a professor of neuropharmacology at Kyushu University, and his colleagues is expected to lead to the development of a therapeutic drug for chronic itchiness.
“It turned out that a protein called NPTX2 (neuronal pentraxin 2) plays a significant part in causing itching,” Tsuda said. “Finding a compound to inhibit its rise will mark the first step toward creating an effective treatment agent.”
Prolonged itchiness associated with atopic dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis is believed to emanate from the vicious cycle of the itchy skin repeatedly scratched, which results in skin inflammation and exacerbates the sensation. How this occurs had not been known.
The team became aware that the stimulus of scratching adds to NPTX2 in sensory nerves. Their research revealed the increased protein volume heightens nerve activities to transmit itchy feelings, generating additional discomfort.
A marked suppression of itch-related behaviors, such as scratching, was confirmed in mice manipulated to make them free of NPTX2, according to the team members.
Their findings were published in the British scientific journal Nature Communications on May 2.
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