title: Tryptase and protease-activated receptor-2 stimulate scratching behavior in a murine model of ovalbumin-induced atopic-like dermatitis.
abstract: The aim of the current study was to investigate the involvement of tryptase and protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) in the pathogenesis of itch using a recently developed murine model of atopic dermatitis (AD) elicited by epicutaneous sensitization with ovalbumin (OVA). We also examined whether tacrolimus exerts an antipruritic effect. Epicutaneous sensitization of BALB/c mice with OVA led to a significant increase in the number of scratches. Notably, PAR2 mRNA and protein levels as well as cutaneous levels of tryptase were significantly enhanced in epicutaneously sensitized mice. Pretreatment with the protease inhibitor, leupeptin, PAR2 antibody, and tacrolimus significantly reduced the number of degranulated mast cells and tryptase content, and consequently alleviated scratching behavior. Cetirizine (10mg/kg) exerted a significant inhibitory effect on the scratching behavior of mice, but did not affect the number of degranulated mast cells and induction of tryptase. Our results collectively suggest that tryptase and PAR2 are involved in OVA allergy-induced scratching behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, PR China; Institute of Medical Mycology, Shanghai, PR China.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, PR China; Institute of Medical Mycology, Shanghai, PR China.
authors.forename: Wei Hua
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Heilongjiang Provincial Corps Hospital, Chinese People's Armed Police Forces, Harbin, PR China.
authors.forename: Xiao Rong
authors.initials: XR
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Zhejiang Tongji Vocational College of Science and Technology, Hangzhou, PR China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, PR China; Institute of Medical Mycology, Shanghai, PR China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, PR China; PLA Key Laboratory of Mycosis, PR China.
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Mycology, Shanghai, PR China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, PR China; PLA Key Laboratory of Mycosis, PR China.
authors.forename: Xiao Guang
authors.initials: XG
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Mycology, Shanghai, PR China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, PR China; PLA Key Laboratory of Mycosis, PR China. Electronic address: liaowanqing@sohu.com.
authors.forename: Wan Qing
authors.initials: WQ
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, PR China. Electronic address: hjhong2016@126.com.
authors.forename: Jin Hong
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010047:Ovalbumin; D011537:Pruritus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D044464:Receptor, PAR-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D053802:Tryptases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D044464:Receptor, PAR-2; D010047:Ovalbumin; D053802:Tryptases
keywords: Atopic dermatitis; Mast cell; Protease-activated receptor-2; Pruritus; Tacrolimus