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Review
. 2020 May 19;52(5):753-766.
doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2020.04.008.

Itch: A Paradigm of Neuroimmune Crosstalk

Fang Wang  1 , Brian S Kim  2
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Free article
Review

Itch: A Paradigm of Neuroimmune Crosstalk

Fang Wang et al. Immunity. .
Free article

Abstract

Although the medical definition of itch has been in existence for 360 years, only in the last 20 years have we begun to understand the basic mechanisms that underlie this unique sensation. Therapeutics that specifically target chronic itch as a pathologic entity are currently still not available. Recent seminal advances in itch circuitry within the nervous system have intersected with discoveries in immunology in unexpected ways to rapidly inform emerging treatment strategies. The current review aims to introduce these basic concepts in itch biology and highlight how distinct immunologic pathways integrate with recently identified itch-sensory circuits in the nervous system to inform a major new paradigm of neuroimmunology and therapeutic development for chronic itch.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Interests B.S.K. has served as a consultant for AbbVie, Cara Therapeutics, Concert Pharmaceuticals, Incyte Corporation, LEO Pharma, Menlo Therapeutics, and Pfizer. He has also participated on the advisory board for Cara Therapeutics, Celgene Corporation, Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals, Menlo Therapeutics, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi Genzyme, and Theravance Biopharma. He is also the founder, chief scientific officer, and stockholder of Nuogen Pharma and a stockholder of Locus Biosciences. He has a patent pending for the use of JAK inhibitors for chronic itch. F.W. declares no competing interests.

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