小柯机器人

美国斯克里普斯研究所Ardem Patapoutian课题组发现，PIEZO1在小鼠中传递机械性痒觉。这一研究成果于2022年6月22日在线发表在国际学术期刊《自然》上。

研究人员发现，机械激活的离子通道PIEZO1被痒特异性感觉神经元选择性地表达，并且是其机械激活电流所必需的。外围神经元中PIEZO1功能的丧失大大减少了机械诱发的抓挠行为以及急性和慢性痒诱发的敏感化。最后，表达增益功能的Piezo1等位基因的小鼠表现出增强的机械瘙痒行为。这项研究揭示了痒觉神经元的多模态性质，并确定了PIEZO1在痒觉中的作用。

据悉，瘙痒会引发抓挠，这是一种行为防御机制，有助于清除有害的刺激物和寄生虫。化学性瘙痒是由许多内源性和外源性线索引发的，如过敏反应中释放的促炎性组胺。机械性瘙痒可由羊毛纤维或爬行的昆虫等轻微感觉引发。与已经被广泛研究的化学瘙痒途径相比，机械瘙痒的转导机制在很大程度上是未知的。

附：英文原文

Title: PIEZO1 transduces mechanical itch in mice

Author: Hill, Rose Z., Loud, Meaghan C., Dubin, Adrienne E., Peet, Brooke, Patapoutian, Ardem

Issue&Volume: 2022-06-22

Abstract: Itch triggers scratching, a behavioural defence mechanism that aids in the removal of harmful irritants and parasites1. Chemical itch is triggered by many endogenous and exogenous cues, such as pro-inflammatory histamine, which is released during an allergic reaction1. Mechanical itch can be triggered by light sensations such as wool fibres or a crawling insect2. In contrast to chemical itch pathways, which have been extensively studied, the mechanisms that underlie the transduction of mechanical itch are largely unknown. Here we show that the mechanically activated ion channel PIEZO1 (ref. 3) is selectively expressed by itch-specific sensory neurons and is required for their mechanically activated currents. Loss of PIEZO1 function in peripheral neurons greatly reduces mechanically evoked scratching behaviours and both acute and chronic itch-evoked sensitization. Finally, mice expressing a gain-of-function Piezo1 allele4 exhibit enhanced mechanical itch behaviours. Our studies reveal the polymodal nature of itch sensory neurons and identify a role for PIEZO1 in the sensation of itch.

DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04860-5

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-04860-5

Nature：《自然》，创刊于1869年。隶属于施普林格·自然出版集团，最新IF：69.504
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