The Neurokinin-1 Receptor is Expressed with Gastrin-Releasing Peptide Receptor in Spinal Interneurons and Modulates Itch.

ABSTRACT: The neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R; encoded by Tacr1) is expressed in spinal dorsal horn neurons and has been suggested to mediate itch in rodents. However, previous studies relied heavily on neurotoxic ablation of NK1R spinal neurons, which limited further dissection of their function in spinal itch circuitry. To address this limitation, we leveraged a newly developed Tacr1^CreER mouse line to characterize the role of NK1R spinal neurons in itch. We show that pharmacological activation of spinal NK1R and chemogenetic activation of Tacr1^CreER spinal neurons increases itch behavior in male and female mice, whereas pharmacological inhibition of spinal NK1R suppresses itch behavior. We use fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to characterize

SUBMITTER: Sheahan TD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7659450 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature