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Papers of the Week


Papers: 19 Oct 2019 - 25 Oct 2019


Animal Studies, Human Studies

PAIN TYPE:
Itch


2020 Apr


J Invest Dermatol


140


4

Mechanisms of itch in stasis dermatitis: Significant role of IL-31 from macrophages.

Authors

Hashimoto T, Kursewicz C D, Fayne R A, Nanda S, Shah S M, Nattkemper L, Yokozeki H, Yosipovitch G
J Invest Dermatol. 2020 Apr; 140(4):850-859.e3.
PMID: 31626785.

Abstract

Stasis dermatitis (SD) is a common disease in the elderly population, with pruritus being one of the bothersome symptoms. However, there are few therapeutic modalities available for SD-associated itch because little is known about its pathophysiological mechanism. Therefore, we sought to investigate the mediators of itch in SD using an immunofluorescence study on patient lesions focusing on IL-31. Ex vivo stimulation studies using murine peritoneal macrophages were also used to elucidate the pathological mechanisms of IL-31 generation. In SD lesions, dermal infiltrating IL-31(+) cells were increased in number compared to healthy controls, and the majority of IL-31(+) cells were CD68(+) macrophages. The presence of itch in SD was significantly associated with the amount of CD68(+)/IL-31(+) macrophages and CD68(+)/CD163(+) M2 macrophages. The number of CD68(+)/IL-31(+) macrophages was correlated with the number of dermal CCR4(+) Th2 cells, IL-17(+) cells, basophils, substance P(+) cells, and dermal deposition of periostin and hemosiderin. Furthermore, murine peritoneal macrophages expressed an M2 marker arginase-1 and generated IL-31 when stimulated with a combination of substance P, periostin, and red blood cell lysate (representing hemosiderin). IL-31 from macrophages may play a role in itch in SD.