title: Neurochemical characterization of pERK-expressing spinal neurons in histamine-induced itch.
abstract: Acute itch is divided into histamine- and non-histamine-dependent subtypes, and our previous study has shown that activation of ERK signaling in the spinal dorsal horn (SDH) is required selectively for histamine-induced itch sensation. Morphological characteristics of pERK-expressing neurons are required for exploring the mechanism underlying spinal itch sensation. To investigate whether pERK-expressing neurons are supraspinally-projecting neurons, we injected Fluorogold (FG) into the ventrobasal thalamic complex (VB) and parabrachial region, the two major spinal ascending sites in rodents. A small number (1%) of pERK-positive neurons were labeled by FG, suggesting that histamine-induced activation of ERK is primarily located in local SDH neurons. We then examined the co-localization of pERK with Calbindin and Lmx1b, which are expressed by excitatory neurons, and found that more than half (58%) of pERK-positive neurons expressed Lmx1b, but no co-expression with Calbindin was observed. On the other hand, approximately 7% of pERK-positive neurons expressed GAD67, and 27% of them contained Pax2. These results support the idea that pERK-expressing neurons serve as a component of local neuronal circuits for processing itch sensation in the spinal cord.
authors.affiliation: 1] Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias, Ministry of Education of China, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China [2] Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China [3] School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Guan-Yu
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China.
authors.forename: Meng-Han
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China.
authors.forename: Kun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China.
authors.forename: Guo-Dong
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.affiliation: 1] Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias, Ministry of Education of China, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China [2] Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China.
authors.forename: Jia-Yin
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: 1] Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias, Ministry of Education of China, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China [2] Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China.
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China.
authors.forename: Qing-Xiu
authors.initials: QX
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: St Clair
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McCaig
authors.affiliation: 1] Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias, Ministry of Education of China, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China [2] Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China.
authors.forename: Yu-Qiang
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.affiliation: 1] Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias, Ministry of Education of China, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China [2] Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China.
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D064026:Calbindins / Q000378:metabolism; D006632:Histamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D060850:LIM-Homeodomain Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D051762:PAX2 Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D020671:Posterior Horn Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012677:Sensation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D064026:Calbindins; C112149:LIM homeobox transcription factor 1 beta; D060850:LIM-Homeodomain Proteins; D051762:PAX2 Transcription Factor; C497319:Pax2 protein, mouse; D014157:Transcription Factors; D006632:Histamine