Researchers at the University of Michigan have uncovered a previously unknown biological pathway that explains how certain touch-sensitive hairs trigger the sensation of itch. The findings, made in mouse models, reveal a dedicated sensory system that may eventually help scientists develop better treatments for chronic itching disorders.
"Itch is one of the major symptoms in most chronic skin inflammation patients," said Bo Duan, associate professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. "What we've discovered is a pathway that we believe plays a very important role for both acute and chronic itch sensation."
The researchers identified a previously unknown type of hair in mice called vellus-like hairs, along with a specialized group of touch-sensitive nerve cells connected to them. These hairs resemble the fine, short, light colored vellus hairs that cover much of the human body, commonly known as peach fuzz.
The study, which received support in part from the National Institutes of Health, was published in the journal Neuron.
Hidden Nerve Cells Linked to Chronic Itch
