Spinal GRPR and NPRA Contribute to Chronic Itch in a Murine Model of Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Abstract

Recurrent and intractable chronic itch is a worldwide problem, but mechanisms, especially the neural mechanisms, underlying chronic itch still remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the peripheral and spinal mechanisms responsible for prolonged itch in a mouse model of allergic contact dermatitis induced by squaric acid dibutylester. We found that repeated exposure of mice to squaric acid dibutylester evoked persistent spontaneous scratching and significantly aberrant cutaneous and systemic immune responses lasting for weeks. Squaric acid dibutylester-induced itch requires both nonhistaminergic and histaminergic pathways, which are likely relayed by GRPR and NPRA in the spinal cord, respectively. Employing genetic, pharmacologic, RNAscope assay, and cell-specific ablation methods, we dissected a neural circuit for prolonged itch formed as Grpr⁺ neurons act downstream of Npr1⁺ neurons in the spinal cord. Taken together, our data suggested that targeting GRPR and NPRA may provide effective treatments for allergic contact dermatitis-associated chronic pruritus.