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Itch and nerve fibers with special reference to atopic dermatitis: Therapeutic implications
Author(s) -
Tominaga Mitsutoshi,
Takamori Kenji
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.9
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1346-8138
pISSN - 0385-2407
DOI - 10.1111/1346-8138.12317
Subject(s) - nerve growth factor , itching , atopic dermatitis , epidermis (zoology) , medicine , sensory nerve , semaphorin , dermatology , sensory system , neuroscience , biology , anatomy , receptor
Abstract Nerve density in the epidermis is partly involved in itch sensitization in pruritic skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis ( AD ). Epidermal innervation is thought to be regulated by the balance between nerve elongation factors (e.g. nerve growth factor) and nerve repulsion factors (e.g. semaphorin 3 A ). Semaphorin 3 A ( S ema3 A ) has been shown to inhibit nerve growth factor ( NGF )‐induced sprouting of sensory nerves, and epidermal S ema3 A levels are lower in AD patients, concomitant with an increase in epidermal nerve density. In addition, treatment with anti‐ NGF , S ema3 A replacement, and several existing treatments, such as ultraviolet‐based therapies, normalized the hyperinnervation in AD , resulting in suppression of itching. This review expands knowledge regarding potential therapeutic strategies for ameliorating intractable pruritus in AD .