Enhanced scratching evoked by PAR-2 agonist and 5-HT but not histamine in a mouse model of chronic dry skin itch

T Akiyama, MI Carstens, E Carstens - PAIN®, 2010 - Elsevier
Chronic itch is a symptom of many skin conditions and systemic disease, and it has been
hypothesized that the chronic itch may result from sensitization of itch-signaling pathways.
We induced experimental chronic dry skin on the rostral back of mice, and observed a
significant increase in spontaneous hindlimb scratches directed to the dry skin.
Spontaneous scratching was significantly attenuated by a PAR-2 antibody and 5-HT2A
receptor antagonist, indicating activation of these receptors by endogenous mediators …