
Although evolutionarily conserved to expel ectoparasites and aid in the clearance of toxins and noxious environmental stimuli from the host, the type 2 immune response can become pathologic in the setting of a variety of allergic disorders. Itch can be a behavioral extension of type 2 immunity by evoking scratching and, in the setting of disease, can become chronic and thus highly pathologic as well. Classically, our understanding of itch mechanisms has centered around the canonical IgE-mast cell-histamine axis. However, therapies aimed at blocking the histaminergic itch pathway have been largely ineffective, suggesting the existence of nonhistaminergic itch pathways. Indeed, recent advances in itch biology have provided critical new insight into a variety of novel therapeutic avenues for chronic itch in the setting of a number of allergic disorders. Here we highlight how these new developments will likely inform the problem of pruritus in a variety of well-established and emerging conditions in the field of allergy.
Pruritus, Hypersensitivity, Animals, Humans, Mast Cells, Immunoglobulin E, Histamine
Pruritus, Hypersensitivity, Animals, Humans, Mast Cells, Immunoglobulin E, Histamine
| citations This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 87 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 1% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 1% |
