Journal of Life Science (생명과학회지)

Korean Society of Life Science (한국생명과학회)
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The Neurotransmitter Pathway of Itching

가려움증의 신경전달 경로

  • Jo, Jeong Won (Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University) ;
  • Kim, Chi-Yeon (Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University)
  • 조정원 (경상대학교 의과대학 피부과학교실) ;
  • 김지연 (경상대학교 의과대학 피부과학교실)
  • Received : 2017.05.18
  • Accepted : 2017.05.29
  • Published : 2017.05.30
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Abstract

It was common that the classification of itching was classified into four categories according to the neurophysiological mechanisms of pruritoceptive itching, neuropathic itching, neurogenic itching and psychogenic itching. Recently it was classified by clinical criteria. The neurotransmission pathway of itch is divided into histamine-dependent pathway and histamine-independent pathway. Different receptors and neuropeptides act on each itch mediator. Itch mediators such as histamine, BAM8-22, and chloroquine are transmitted through the histamine-dependent pathway. Cowhage spicule, protease, and TSLP (Thymic stromal lymphopoietin) have been reported to be related to the histamine-independent pathway. These itch mediators, receptors, and neuropeptides are the targets of treatment for itching. Although itching and pain are typical noxious stimuli, and in the past, it was argued that two senses were transmitted through one noxious stimulus receptor. It has recently been shown that itching and pain have an independent neurotransmitter system and both neuronal systems inhibit each other. In addition, the mutual antagonism between itching and pain is explained by various mechanisms. Recently, many new mediators and receptors are being studied. The studies on histamine 4 receptor (H4 receptor) have been actively conducted. And the H4 receptors are expressed in immune cells such as T cells. The therapeutic agent for blocking the H4 receptor can inhibit the inflammatory reaction itself, which is important for the itching and chronicization. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of itching and studying new itch mediators will lead to the development of effective therapies, and this is what I think the itching study will go on.

가려움증의 분류는 수용체성 가려움증(Pruritoceptive itch), 신경병증 가려움증(Neuropathic itch), 신경성 가려움증(Neurogenic itch), 심인성 가려움증(Psychogenic itch)의 신경생리학적 기전에 따른 4가지 카테고리로 분류하는 것이 일반적이었으나 최근 임상적인 기준을 통해 분류하기도 한다. 가려움증의 신경전달 경로는 히스타민-의존 경로와 히스타민-비의존 경로 2가지로 나뉘며 각 가려움증 매개체마다 서로 다른 수용체와 신경펩티드가 작용한다. 히스타민, BAM8-22, chloroquine 등의 가려움증 매개체는 히스타민-의존 경로를 통해 신호가 전달되며 cowhage spicule, 단백분해효소(protease), TSLP (Thymic stromal lymphopoietin) 등의 매개체가 히스타민-비의존 경로와 관련있다는 보고가 있다. 이러한 가려움증 매개체, 수용체, 신경펩티드는 가려움증 치료의 대상이 된다. 가려움증과 통증은 대표적인 유해자극으로서 과거에는 두 감각이 하나의 유해자극수용체를 통해 전달된다는 주장이 있었지만 최근 밝혀진 바에 따르면 가려움증과 통증은 독립적인 신경전달체계를 가지고 있으며 두 신경체계는 서로 억제작용을 한다. 가려움증 뉴런의 선택적 소집단이 존재한다는 주장을 뒷받침하는 연구들이 이 주장에 무게를 싣고 있다. 또한 가려움증과 통증의 상호 길항작용에 대해서도 다양한 기전으로 설명되고 있다. 최근에도 새롭게 연구되는 매개체와 수용체들이 많은 연구들을 통해 밝혀지고 있다. 특히 최근에는 히스타민 4 수용체에 대한 연구가 활발히 진행되고 있는데, 이는 T 세포 같은 면역세포 자체에 발현되어 있어 이 H4 수용체를 차단하는 치료제는 말초의 매개체를 차단하는 기존의 히스타민 수용체 차단제와는 달리 가려움증 만성화에 중요한 염증 반응 자체를 억제할 수 있다는 점에서 그 유용성이 크다고 할 수 있다. 가려움증의 기본적인 발생 기전에 대한 이해와 새로운 가려움증 매개체에 대한 연구는 효과적인 치료법의 개발로 이어질 것이며 이것이 가려움증 연구가 나아갈 바로 생각한다.

Keywords

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