Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 13, 2026

Photostimulation by Femtosecond Laser Activates Extracellular-signal-regulated Kinase ERK Signaling or Mitochondrial Events in Target Cells
Published on: July 6, 2019
Persistent Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Activation by the Histamine H4 Receptor in Spinal Neurons Underlies
Kun Huang1, Dan-Dan Hu2, Dong Bai1
1Institute of Translational Research, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Anesthesiology of East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Abstract:
Transient extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation in the spinal cord triggers histamine-induced acute itch. However, whether persistent ERK activation plays an important role in chronic itch development remains unclear. This study investigated the role of spinal ERK activation in chronic itch. The results showed that repetitive DNFB painting on the nape of mice evoked not only initial scratching but also sustained, spontaneous scratching. In addition, DNFB induced itching rather than nociception, as demonstrated using a cheek model. Furthermore, ERK was persistently activated in the spinal cord of DNFB-treated mice, and the intrathecal inhibition of phosphorylation of ERK suppressed both spontaneous itching and ERK activation. ERK activation was observed in neurons but not in glia cells during chronic itch development. Finally, DNFB-induced spontaneous itching behavior and ERK activation were largely inhibited by the histamine H4 receptor antagonist JNJ7777120 but not by the H1 receptor antagonist chlorpheniramine. Our results indicate that persistent ERK activation via the histamine H4 receptor in spinal neurons underlies DNFB-induced chronic itch.
Related Concept Videos
Receptor Tyrosine Kinases
Protein Kinases and Phosphatases
Protein kinases
Many proteins in the cell are regulated by phosphorylation, the addition of a phosphate group. A family of enzymes called kinases...
Intracellular Signaling Cascades
Yeast Signaling
Endocrine Signaling
Regulated Protein Degradation
Protein degradation plays two important roles in the cells. It helps to protect cells from misfolded or damaged proteins before they lead to a...

