Elevated vesicular Zn2+ in dorsal root ganglion neurons expressing the transporter TMEM163 causes age-associated itchy skin in mice.

The prevalent itching condition associated with aging, historically referred to as senile pruritus, diminishes quality of life. Despite its impact, effective treatments remain elusive, largely due to an incomplete understanding of its pathological cause. In this study, we reveal a subset of dorsal r...

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Main Authors: Fang Tong, Shuai Liu, Chen Zhang, Xicheng Gu, Huan Yang, Bin Zhou, Yun-Yun Wang, Jianwei Chen, Qianhui Qu, Ye Gong, Haili Pan, Chen Liang, Changlin Li, Xin Zhang, Qingjian Han
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2024-11-01
Series:PLoS Biology
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002888
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author Fang Tong
Shuai Liu
Chen Zhang
Xicheng Gu
Huan Yang
Bin Zhou
Yun-Yun Wang
Jianwei Chen
Qianhui Qu
Ye Gong
Haili Pan
Chen Liang
Changlin Li
Xin Zhang
Qingjian Han
author_facet Fang Tong
Shuai Liu
Chen Zhang
Xicheng Gu
Huan Yang
Bin Zhou
Yun-Yun Wang
Jianwei Chen
Qianhui Qu
Ye Gong
Haili Pan
Chen Liang
Changlin Li
Xin Zhang
Qingjian Han
author_sort Fang Tong
collection DOAJ
description The prevalent itching condition associated with aging, historically referred to as senile pruritus, diminishes quality of life. Despite its impact, effective treatments remain elusive, largely due to an incomplete understanding of its pathological cause. In this study, we reveal a subset of dorsal root ganglion neurons enriched with Zn2+ that express the vesicular Zn2+ transporter TMEM163. These neurons form direct synapses with and modulate the activity of spinal NPY+ inhibitory interneurons. In aged mice, both the expression of TMEM163 and the concentration of vesicular Zn2+ within the central terminals of TMEM163+ primary afferents show marked elevation. Importantly, the excessive release of vesicular Zn2+ significantly dampens the activity of NPY+ neurons, triggering the disinhibition of itch-transmitting neural circuits and resulting in chronic itch. Intriguingly, chelating Zn2+ within the spinal dorsal horn effectively relieves itch in aged mice. Our study thus unveils a novel molecular mechanism underlying senile pruritus.
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 1544-9173
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language English
publishDate 2024-11-01
publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
record_format Article
series PLoS Biology
spelling doaj-art-545d5ce49da14f258e152b8382cf530d2024-12-04T05:30:34ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Biology1544-91731545-78852024-11-012211e300288810.1371/journal.pbio.3002888Elevated vesicular Zn2+ in dorsal root ganglion neurons expressing the transporter TMEM163 causes age-associated itchy skin in mice.Fang TongShuai LiuChen ZhangXicheng GuHuan YangBin ZhouYun-Yun WangJianwei ChenQianhui QuYe GongHaili PanChen LiangChanglin LiXin ZhangQingjian HanThe prevalent itching condition associated with aging, historically referred to as senile pruritus, diminishes quality of life. Despite its impact, effective treatments remain elusive, largely due to an incomplete understanding of its pathological cause. In this study, we reveal a subset of dorsal root ganglion neurons enriched with Zn2+ that express the vesicular Zn2+ transporter TMEM163. These neurons form direct synapses with and modulate the activity of spinal NPY+ inhibitory interneurons. In aged mice, both the expression of TMEM163 and the concentration of vesicular Zn2+ within the central terminals of TMEM163+ primary afferents show marked elevation. Importantly, the excessive release of vesicular Zn2+ significantly dampens the activity of NPY+ neurons, triggering the disinhibition of itch-transmitting neural circuits and resulting in chronic itch. Intriguingly, chelating Zn2+ within the spinal dorsal horn effectively relieves itch in aged mice. Our study thus unveils a novel molecular mechanism underlying senile pruritus.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002888
spellingShingle Fang Tong
Shuai Liu
Chen Zhang
Xicheng Gu
Huan Yang
Bin Zhou
Yun-Yun Wang
Jianwei Chen
Qianhui Qu
Ye Gong
Haili Pan
Chen Liang
Changlin Li
Xin Zhang
Qingjian Han
Elevated vesicular Zn2+ in dorsal root ganglion neurons expressing the transporter TMEM163 causes age-associated itchy skin in mice.
PLoS Biology
title Elevated vesicular Zn2+ in dorsal root ganglion neurons expressing the transporter TMEM163 causes age-associated itchy skin in mice.
title_full Elevated vesicular Zn2+ in dorsal root ganglion neurons expressing the transporter TMEM163 causes age-associated itchy skin in mice.
title_fullStr Elevated vesicular Zn2+ in dorsal root ganglion neurons expressing the transporter TMEM163 causes age-associated itchy skin in mice.
title_full_unstemmed Elevated vesicular Zn2+ in dorsal root ganglion neurons expressing the transporter TMEM163 causes age-associated itchy skin in mice.
title_short Elevated vesicular Zn2+ in dorsal root ganglion neurons expressing the transporter TMEM163 causes age-associated itchy skin in mice.
title_sort elevated vesicular zn2 in dorsal root ganglion neurons expressing the transporter tmem163 causes age associated itchy skin in mice
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002888
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