Abstract：
Although microglia are associated with chronic pain, the role of spinal microglia in the regulation of itch remains unclear. In this study, we characterized spinal microglial activation in a mouse model of imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis. Hypertrophic (activated) microglia were observed throughout the spinal cord after the topical application of IMQ. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of microglial markers and inflammatory mediators was upregulated. Ablation of itch-related sensory neurons using resiniferatoxin decreased itch-related scratching behavior and the number of hypertrophic microglia in the spinal dorsal horn. Conclusively, sensory neuron input may partially contribute to spinal microglial activation after IMQ application.
摘要：
虽然小胶质细胞与慢性疼痛有关，脊髓小胶质细胞在瘙痒调节中的作用尚不清楚。在这项研究中,我们在咪喹莫特（IMQ）诱导的牛皮癣小鼠模型中表征了脊髓小胶质细胞的激活。局部施用IMQ后，在整个脊髓中观察到肥大性（活化）小胶质细胞。此外，小胶质细胞标志物和炎症介质的mRNA表达上调。使用树脂毒素消融与瘙痒相关的感觉神经元可减少与瘙痒相关的抓挠行为和脊髓背角肥大小胶质细胞的数量。最后，在IMQ应用后,感觉神经元输入可能部分有助于脊髓小胶质细胞的激活.
