Leukotriene B(4) mediates sphingosylphosphorylcholine-induced itch-associated responses in mouse skin.

Abstract

In atopic dermatitis, the concentration in the skin of sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC), which is produced from sphingomyelin by sphingomyelin deacylase, is increased. In the present study, we investigated the itch-eliciting activity of SPC and related substances and the mechanisms of SPC action in mice. An intradermal injection of SPC, but not sphingomyelin and sphingosine, induced scratching, an itch-associated response, which was not suppressed by a deficiency in mast cells or the H(1) histamine receptor antagonist terfenadine. The action of SPC was inhibited by the mu-opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone. SPC action also was inhibited by the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor zileuton and the leukotriene B(4) antagonist ONO-4057, but not by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. Moreover, SPC action was inhibited by the antiallergic agent azelastine, which suppresses the action and production of leukotriene B(4). Administration of SPC to the skin and to primary cultures of keratinocytes increased leukotriene B(4) production. SPC increased intracellular Ca(2+) ion concentration in primary cultures of dorsal root ganglion neurons and keratinocytes. These results suggest that SPC induces itching through a direct action on primary afferents and leukotriene B(4) production of keratinocytes. Sphingomyelin deacylase and SPC receptors may be previously unreported targets for antipruritic drugs.

• Authors: Tsugunobu Andoh, Ayumi Saito, Yasushi Kuraishi
• Journal: The Journal of investigative dermatology (J Invest Dermatol) Vol. 129 Issue 12 Pg. 2854-60 (Dec 2009) ISSN: 1523-1747 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19657356 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating
• Narcotic Antagonists
• Sphingomyelins
• sphingosine phosphorylcholine
• Phosphorylcholine
• Leukotriene B4
• Naltrexone
• Terfenadine
• Histamine
• Sphingosine
• Calcium

Topics

• Animals
• Calcium (metabolism)
• Dermatitis, Atopic (chemically induced, immunology, metabolism)
• Ganglia, Spinal (cytology, metabolism)
• Histamine (metabolism)
• Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating (pharmacology)
• Injections, Intradermal
• Keratinocytes (metabolism)
• Leukotriene B4 (immunology, metabolism)
• Male
• Mast Cells (immunology, metabolism)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred ICR
• Naltrexone (pharmacology)
• Narcotic Antagonists (pharmacology)
• Neurons (metabolism)
• Phosphorylcholine (analogs & derivatives, immunology, pharmacology)
• Pruritus (chemically induced, immunology, metabolism)
• Skin (cytology, immunology, metabolism)
• Sphingomyelins (immunology, pharmacology)
• Sphingosine (analogs & derivatives, immunology, pharmacology)
• Terfenadine (pharmacology)