3.5.1. PAF
Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is produced and released by mast cells, basophils, neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes, macrophages, fibroblasts, platelets, endothelial cells, and cardiac muscle cells, all of which play important roles in inflammatory and thrombotic diseases. PAF is an inflammatory factor and has important functions in acute and chronic inflammation
[121][39]. PAF receptor (PAFR) has been found in a host of cell membranes, including those of platelets, neutrophils, macrophages, mononuclear leukocytes, and eosinophils, as well as on hippocampal nerves, microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells
[39]. Intradermal PAF injection evoked scratching behavior
[64][122] and induced histamine release through degranulation of mast cells, contributing to itch accompanied by flare and wheal reactions
[123].
3.5.2. LTB4
Leukotrienes (LTs) are eicosanoid lipid mediators generated upon activation of both immune and structural cells such as epithelial cells and endothelial cells. LTB
4, a 5-lipoxygenase metabolite, is increased in the skin of AD model mice
[124]. This molecule is produced and released by various types of immune cells, including mast cells, basophils, eosinophils, and macrophages
[125][126][127][128]. LTB
4 has two receptors, BLT1 and BLT2, which are GPCR and present on cell surfaces, with BLT1 having higher affinity and activity than BLT2. BLT1 is mainly expressed by leukocytes and DRG neurons, whereas BLT2 is expressed on many tissues
[129][130][41]. LTB
4-induced DRG neurons respond to calcium, an effect inhibited by the LTB
4 antagonist ONO-4057
[41]. Intradermal LTB
4 injection induces scratching via TRPA1 and TRPV1
[131]. Moreover, the LTB
4 receptor antagonist CMHVA attenuated IL-31-induced scratching
[42].
3.5.3. LTC4
LTC
4 is a cysteinyl LT produced and released by mast cells, basophils, and eosinophils
[132][133][134]. Its receptors, CysLTR1 and CysLTR2, are widely expressed by hematopoietic and structural cells
[12]. Basophils have been shown to release LTC
4 upon stimulation with antigen-specific IgE, which binds to CysLTR2 expressed on sensory nerve fibers (mainly NP3 nerves), evoking acute severe itch (itch flares) of AD
[133]. Moreover, the LTC4/CysLTR2 pathway was shown to contribute not only to acute but also to chronic itch
[12].
3.6. Others
3.6.1. IL-33
IL-33, a member of the IL-1 cytokine family, is considered important for host defenses and allergy by inducing Th2 cytokine production via the IL-33 receptor. This receptor is a heterodimer composed of IL-1 receptor-like 1 (IL-1RL1; also called ST2) and IL-1 receptor accessory protein (IL-1RAcP) molecules. IL-33 was first identified as a nuclear protein expressed in endothelial cell nuclei and was shown to be constitutively expressed in the nuclei of various cell types, such as endothelial and epithelial cells [134,135]. IL-33 was also recently shown to be constitutively expressed in other cells,
including DCs, macrophages, mast cells, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, platelets and
megakaryocytes [135,136]. ST2 expressing cells include basophils, mast cells, eosinophils, macrophages, DCs, NK cells, NKT cells, Th2 cells, cytotoxic T cells, Tregs, B cells, ILCs, microglia, astrocytes, neurons, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts [135,137,138]. Treatment of AD model mice with anti-IL-33 antibody improved AD-like symptoms, including scratching behavior [139]. Moreover, IL-33/ST2 signaling was found to mediate chronic itch in a mouse model of contact hypersensitivity through the astrocytic JAK2/STAT3 cascade [140]. IL-33 was also shown to evoke calcium responses in neurons, with enhanced CQ evoking calcium responses [138]. Taken together, these findings suggested that IL-33 also functions as a modulator to enhance itch.
3.6.2. TSLP
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a IL-7 like cytokine belonging to the IL-2 cytokine family [110,141]. It is primarily produced by epithelial cells, including keratinocytes, fibroblasts and stromal cells, as well as by DCs, mast cells, and basophils [110,142]. Its receptor, TSLPR, is expressed on monocytes/macrophages, T cells, B cells, mast cells, eosinophils, NK cells, DCs, keratinocytes and sensory neuronal endings [143–148]. TSLPR is activated upon binding of TSLP, which activates JAK1/2 and STAT1/3/4/5/6 [149,150]. Intradermal injection of TSLP evoked scratching behavior. This is initiated by the binding of TSLP to TSLPR expressed on sensory nerve fibers. The TSLP-induced itch also required TRPA1, with the expression and release of keratinocyte-derived TSLP depending on the ORAI1/NFAT calcium signaling pathway [148]. Epithelial cell-derived cytokines, including TSLP and IL-33, strongly activate ILC2 and recruit Th2 cells into the skin. ILC2 and Th2 cells are rich sources of type 2 cytokines, which can initiate and perpetuate allergic skin inflammation, including itch, by recruiting basophils and eosinophils [91].