The pruritus receptor unit: a target for novel therapies.
Although the role of prostanoids in itch was actively studied a decade ago, interest in this area has waned in recent years. Andoh et al. (2007, this issue) demonstrate that the prostanoid thromboxane A2 elicits scratching through its TP receptor. Identification of new itch mediators and their respective receptors within the skin will undoubtedly be the focus of future drug development for this distressing symptom.
Yosipovitch
Gil
G
Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA. gyosipov@wfubmc.edu
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000502:physiology; D036421:Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated / Q000502:physiology; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000502:physiology; D011968:Receptors, Histamine / Q000502:physiology; D000074040:Receptors, Histamine H4; D017482:Receptors, Thromboxane / Q000502:physiology*; D013928:Thromboxane A2 / Q000502:physiology*
C418607:HRH4 protein, human; D007376:Interleukin-2; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D011968:Receptors, Histamine; D000074040:Receptors, Histamine H4; D017482:Receptors, Thromboxane; D013928:Thromboxane A2