Open AccessSpinal glial cells in itch modulation
Author(s) -
ShiratoriHayashi Miho,
Tsuda Makoto
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
pharmacology research and perspectives
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.975
H-Index - 27
ISSN - 2052-1707
DOI - 10.1002/prp2.754
Subject(s) - neuroscience , spinal cord , astrocyte , neuroglia , microglia , medicine , central nervous system , pathogenesis , mechanism (biology) , nervous system , inflammation , biology , pathology , immunology , epistemology , philosophy
Glial cells are non‐neuronal cells in the nervous system that are electrically non‐excitable and outnumber neurons in humans. Glial cells have attracted attention in recent years for their active involvement in the regulation of neuronal activity, suggesting their contribution to the pathogenesis and progression of neurological diseases. Studies have shown that astrocytes, a type of glial cell, are activated in the spinal cord in response to skin inflammation and contribute to the exacerbation of chronic itch. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the role of astrocytes and other glial cells in the modulation of itch processing and the mechanism of their activation under itch conditions.