Mechanisms of chronic itch via astrocytic STAT3 in the spinal cord

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26893182
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Pain science
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Shiratori-Hayashi Miho (林) 九州大学, 薬学研究科(研究院), 研究員 (20735641)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-08-29 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 痒み / 慢性的な痒み / アトピー性皮膚炎 / 脊髄 / アストロサイト / 痒み過敏

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Using models of chronic itch such as atopic or contact dermatitis model mice, we identified LCN2 as an astrocytic STAT3-dependent upregulated factor that plays important roles in maintenance of chronic itch in the spinal dorsal horn. We also demonstrated that LCN2 participates in spinal itch sensitization through enhancement of itch-specific GRP-GRPR signaling in the dorsal horn.

Free Research Field

疼痛学（掻痒）