Toll-like receptor 7 mediates pruritus

T Liu, ZZ Xu, CK Park, T Berta, RR Ji - Nature neuroscience, 2010 - nature.com
Nature neuroscience, 2010nature.com
Toll-like receptors are typically expressed in immune cells to regulate innate immunity. We
found that functional Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) was expressed in C-fiber primary sensory
neurons and was important for inducing itch (pruritus), but was not necessary for eliciting
mechanical, thermal, inflammatory and neuropathic pain in mice. Our results indicate that
TLR7 mediates itching and is a potential therapeutic target for anti-itch treatment in skin
disease conditions.
Abstract
Toll-like receptors are typically expressed in immune cells to regulate innate immunity. We found that functional Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) was expressed in C-fiber primary sensory neurons and was important for inducing itch (pruritus), but was not necessary for eliciting mechanical, thermal, inflammatory and neuropathic pain in mice. Our results indicate that TLR7 mediates itching and is a potential therapeutic target for anti-itch treatment in skin disease conditions.
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