Publication

Back to overview

Circuit dissection of the role of somatostatin in itch and pain

Type of publication Peer-reviewed
Publikationsform Original article (peer-reviewed)
Author Huang Jing, Polgár Erika, Solinski Hans Jürgen, Mishra Santosh K., Tseng Pang-Yen, Iwagaki Noboru, Boyle Kieran A., Dickie Allen C., Kriegbaum Mette C., Wildner Hendrik, Zeilhofer Hanns Ulrich, Watanabe Masahiko, Riddell John S., Todd Andrew J., Hoon Mark A.,
Project Dorsal Horn Neuronal Circuits Processing Itch
Show all

Original article (peer-reviewed)

Journal Nature Neuroscience
Volume (Issue) 21(5)
Page(s) 707 - 716
Title of proceedings Nature Neuroscience
DOI 10.1038/s41593-018-0119-z

Open Access

URL www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5923877
Type of Open Access Repository (Green Open Access)

Abstract

Stimuli that elicit itch are detected by sensory neurons that innervate the skin. This information is processed by the spinal cord; however, the way in which this occurs is still poorly understood. Here we investigated the neuronal pathways for itch neurotransmission, particularly the contribution of the neuropeptide somatostatin. We find that in the periphery, somatostatin is exclusively expressed in Nppb+ neurons, and we demonstrate that Nppb+somatostatin+ cells function as pruriceptors. Employing chemogenetics, pharmacology and cell-specific ablation methods, we demonstrate that somatostatin potentiates itch by inhibiting inhibitory dynorphin neurons, which results in disinhibition of GRPR+ neurons. Furthermore, elimination of somatostatin from primary afferents and/or from spinal interneurons demonstrates differential involvement of the peptide released from these sources in itch and pain. Our results define the neural circuit underlying somatostatin-induced itch and characterize a contrasting antinociceptive role for the peptide.
-