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Updated: Nov 4, 2025
04:59
Cheek Injection Model for Simultaneous Measurement of Pain and Itch-related Behaviors
Published on: September 27, 2019
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Periostin, an Emerging Player in Itch Sensation
Takashi Hashimoto1, Santosh K Mishra2, Thierry Olivry3
1Department of Dermatology, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Japan; Miami Itch center, Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology
|May 23, 2021
Summary
Periostin, a protein involved in allergic inflammation, directly stimulates nerve fibers to cause itch. This review explores periostin's role in itch induction across human and animal models.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Dermatology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Periostin is an extracellular matrix protein that interacts with integrins.
- It amplifies T helper type 2 immune responses, contributing to chronic allergic inflammation.
- Emerging evidence links periostin to itch sensation via nerve fiber stimulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of periostin in itch induction.
- To examine periostin's expression in human pruritic conditions.
- To explore periostin's interaction with various cells involved in itch.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on periostin and itch.
- Analysis of human and animal models of itch induction.
- Examination of periostin expression in pruritic skin conditions.
Main Results:
- Periostin directly stimulates sensory nerve fibers through integrin signaling.
- It interacts with immune cells (macrophages, eosinophils, basophils) and keratinocytes.
- Periostin expression is implicated in various human pruritic conditions.
Conclusions:
- Periostin is a key mediator of itch sensation.
- Targeting periostin may offer new therapeutic strategies for pruritus.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate periostin's mechanisms in itch.
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